Some of the standard features of a cooler include left or right hinged door, deadbolt locking handles, inside door releases, reinforced doorframes with heavy-duty hinges.

The basic parts of a walk in cooler are the evaporator coil, the compressor and the condenser. Compressor/motor condenser can be either placed inside or outside the building that houses the cooler. If you go for the indoor compressor/motor condenser then the initial installation cost will be lesser and the system will also be easier to maintain and keep in good running condition. On the other hand, if you go for the outdoor installation the initial cost will be more but you will save on your electricity bills. The indoor unit will release all the heat inside the building raising it’s over all temperature and putting extra pressure on the air-conditioning system. Also, an outdoor unit will function more efficiently in the cooler weather and the extra noise will be dispelled outside only.

The function of a walk in cooler depends to an extent on how strong the insulation is. This also governs the amount of pressure that is exerted on the refrigeration system and how much wear and tear it’s subjected to. The insulation can be rated as per the R-factor or the insulative rating. Higher this factor better is the insulation and vice versa. Mostly walk in coolers have pre-fabricated panels, the insulating material sandwiched between metals like aluminum or stainless steel. This material is generally high-density urethane or fiberglass. Four inches of insulation contributes to R-30, you can purchase panels which have a higher R value by going for 5-6 or more inches of insulating material. Higher the densities of the material more energy efficient will the system be. Size of the panels basically depends on the manufacturers with height from 7.5 feet to 9.5 feet and width ranging from one to four feet.

Outer material of a walk in cooler is referred as the skin and it’s available in different metals. The cost ofcourse depends on the properties, and each type has its own positives and negatives.
Stainless steel – It’s one of the most expensive and the least corrosive choices. However it can be a little difficult to clean as it gets easily smudged from hands and fingerprints. You can however opt for a brushed finish; it makes the scratches and the smudges less visible.
Aluminum – it’s also corrosion resistant, except for exposure to salt-spray and dairy products. However it’s more vulnerable to denting than the other materials.
G 90 Galvanized – this is an appropriate choice as its very corrosion and dent resistant and yet it’s also the least expensive. All this makes it the most popular choice for these coolers. Painted G90 Galvanized is also a good option; it’s all the more resistant to corrosion and also comes in many different colors.
Galvalume - It’s basically steel coated with zinc and aluminum compounds which are highly corrosion resistant.

A walk in cooler must not only e able to house large amounts of food, but it should also be simple enough to load and unload food items, besides allowing the workers to easily locate them. The idea is to strike a perfect balance between your needs, requirements and budget.