For All Your Commercial Refrigeration and Catering Needs

Fridge Freezer Direct is the ideal place to find refrigeration appliances and catering equipment. If you are in business, then you definitely want high quality equipment. For refrigeration and freezing purposes for both domestic and commercial use, you will find a wide selection of high quality equipment from our store. Our pricing is fair and very affordable.

Do you need heavy commercial refrigeration? For any type of refrigeration, we can cater for it by supplying you with the highest quality equipment available today. We stock chest freezers, catering fridges, commercial freezers, display fridges, refrigerated counters and cold rooms. Bottle coolers are also available. These efficient systems will ensure a simple and efficient way to preserve all your fresh fruits, drinks and any perishables that require a cool environment.

Do you prefer solid door refrigeration systems? If you are looking for solid door freezers and refrigeration systems, we have them in various designs of single, double or triple door fridges and freezers. Cold rooms come as a solid unit or a room designed with freezing temperatures. The room will require a survey and it may come as a blizzard cold room or a cold kit room facility. Both systems work well judging from the feedback we receive from our clientele.

You have a reason to smile if you are a caterer. In our catering equipment department, we cater for you by delivering equipment ranging from sinks, water boilers, pizza ovens, fryers, blast chillers, heated cupboards, Ice machines, Bain-maries and many more. The list is endless. Bain-maries are equipment used to keep temperatures of food warm over time. The equipment is more or less a specially designed water bath with a French name: Bain-marie.

Is display your main marketing strategy? Fridge Freezer Direct has carved a niche in the equipment supply industry through the supply of top of the range catering equipment. If your business relies on the art of product display, you cannot go wrong with the refrigerated counters and displays. The refrigerated counters have one to five door prep counters that suits all your counter needs. Depending with your catering needs, choose from the available variety in our range of counters.

Refrigerated displays range from cake displays, counter top and refrigerated wall displays. The difference lies in the design and refrigeration source. Wall displays have the back wall as the source of cooling with a mounted display that is usually tiered and emanating from the front side. Cake displays are highly fashioned with vertical or horizontal layouts that accentuate the presentation. Counter tops have a heavier base that lies on the floor with the mounted display appearing as the top half part of the counter design.

Are you looking for a display counter that will work flawlessly and fit into your limited space? The refrigeration displays available at our store are ideal and come in all standard sizes for your space. There is equipment meant to work in whatever space you have available in your store. Versatility and flexibility describes Fridge Freezer Direct when it comes to fit and design.

We deliver the best catering and refrigeration equipment at an affordable price. Visit us today and let us help you grow your business.

This post was provided by Best Hoods, innovative and designer cooker hoods which are energy efficient, quiet and attractive with unique features.

Your home revolves around the kitchen, but it’s easy to forget this sometimes, especially in the busy run up to Christmas.   However, with our simple tips and tricks, it’s easy to inject some seasonal cheer in to the most important room in the house:

• Candles. Large church candles of different sizes look elegant huddled together on a window sill. Scented candles are lovely for a Christmas kitchen too.  Vanilla, cinnamon and pine are some of the most traditional holiday fragrances. But you can also find actual ‘Christmas’ scented candles that give your room instant holiday spirit. Candles create a lovely ambiance and warmth in a room. So dot them round your house for a simple, seasonal update.

• Ornaments. Intricate baubles and decorations look great when they’re hung from the handles of kitchen cabinets and on doorknobs.  Apple and pear shaped decorations are given a Christmas twist with added shimmer and sparkle. Pile these up in a glass bowl for a striking centerpiece on Christmas day.  Taking a walk around a Christmas market in your area can also help you to unearth some great trinkets, ideas and inspiration.

• Festive Foliage. Seasonal plants and flowers can’t fail to add little hints of Christmas magic to your house. Poinsettias are the ultimate holiday bloom. But incorporating roses, ivy and mistletoe in to your kitchen will brighten the bleakest of winter days.

• Christmas Candies. Christmas is the time of plenty, so it’s a great idea to fill your kitchen with jars and tins full of treats and titbits. Candy canes, traditional Italian style biscuits and cakes not only taste great but look inviting presented in bowls in the centre of the table.

• Be proud of your kitchen. If you’re hosting Christmas this year, it’s so important that you’re working in a kitchen that you’re proud to show off to friends and family. Make some time before the countdown to Christmas to organise your kitchen. Go through your cupboards and make plenty of room for your festive food and treats. A stylish, statement kitchen is truly the centre of your home.

A new and contemporary cooker hood will transform any kitchen from drab to designer. A hood from Best is beautiful and efficient, and provides the latest in extractor design and technology.  Choose a striking pendant hood – such as the Vintage – to add an extra touch of sparkle to your kitchen.

The range cooker could very well be the last cooker you ever buy. Simply put, they are sturdy, flexible, built to last and can pretty much take care of all the cooking needs for a large family. Obviously, something this amazing doesn’t come cheap. With this kind of investment, it’s important to choose the right style that fits your kitchen. 2013 is right around the corner, which is why you we’re here to talk about a few of the styles and trends you might want to consider when thinking about your new range cooker:

Old school or new wave?

Almost a split decision when it comes to the classic, traditional look or a modern, contemporary style. According to a survey conducted over 4000 installations throughout the previous year, 51% favored a traditional designed range cooker. With the option of classic or modern being an even split. It seems that future kitchen aesthetic trends may be the deciding factor in which range cooker proves more popular in 2013.

Color coded

Previously, black was the most popular range cooker color. However, the trend for 2013 suggests that two emerging styles are going to be the way to go; stainless steel and cream. A traditional cooker in cream contributed almost 40% of range cooker sales in 2010/2011. It proved to be popular with the rustic, farmhouse design crowd. However, it’s emerging that a sleek, modern range cooker will be sought after in a professional steel finish come 2013.

Other colors such as your greens, reds and blues only accounted for around 10% of sales. It doesn’t look as though they will go beyond this within the next 12 months.

Technology

A representative of Britannialiving.co.uk stated that advanced features on range cookers were becoming more popular. The next generation of cooking tech such as induction heating is a trend that is on the rise, although many people still are not aware of its potential in the kitchen.

Sales and marketing director Henneke Duistermaat said: “Though induction cooking has been around for a while, we find that there is still a need to educate consumers on the benefits: safety, energy saving and controllability. We are seeing sales of induction range cookers continue to grow.”

2013 looks set to continue the balance between old styles and new, with emphasis on advancements in technology favouring traditional gas cooking.

Bio: Written on behalf of Britannialiving.co.uk, a leading supplier of premium kitchen appliances, offering a variety of classic and contemporary range cookers and cooker hoods

Hope you’ve had the chance to read my latest review of what I think is the best gourmet coffee maker for your home, but if not, I’m going to give you the run down on which type of coffee maker I like best and why I think it is the ultimate way to bring the gourmet coffee experience into your home.

But first, let’s discuss what gourmet really means.  According to Wikipedia, the word gourmet is defined as “a cultural ideal associated with the culinary arts of fine food and drink”.  That’s a fancy schmancy way of saying that “gourmet” stuff is the really good stuff.

So when we talk about gourmet coffee makers, I am assuming it means we want a coffee maker that’ll make us a really good cup of coffee.  One that will make us feel like we are sitting in a cute coffee shop somewhere sipping an expensive cup of java.

So how do you get that gourmet experience at home without breaking the bank?  Easy…. All you need is a Keurig single serve coffee maker.   We have had ours for almost a year now and I can tell you first hand that it is a great way to enjoy gourmet at home.  Here’s my two cents:

• Keurig machines use K-cups rather than a traditional paper filter and scoops of coffee.  K-cups are little mini-containers of ground coffee that come in a wide variety of flavors.  This means you can have whatever flavor you desire at any time of the day or night.  My husband’s favorites include Swiss Chocolate Almond, Crème Brulee and Butter Toffee.  All you do is pick your favorite K-cup flavor, pop it into the machine and you have gourmet coffee in a heartbeat.

• Single serve machines are fast.  It only takes about 30 seconds to brew up a tasty and hot gourmet cup of coffee.

• There is no clean up! For me, this is the ultimate luxury.  No more glass carafe to wash and no more ugly coffee stains to try and get rid of.  It brews the coffee right into your favorite mug and off you go.  How gourmet!

• One of my biggest concerns with owning a Keurig one cup coffee maker was the inability to make a large pot when we had guests over.  That is no longer a concern.  Now when we have people over, we pull out the Keurig and set it up along side the K-cup carousel and let our guests choose their own flavors.  It is so much fun to watch my guests spin through the carousel to find their favorite flavor.  They ‘ohhh and ahhhh’ and they truly enjoy their gourmet single serve experience.

Check out the latest prices on Single Serve Coffee Brewers at our affiliate partner Amazon.com.

So how ‘bout you?  Do you have a favorite gourmet coffee maker?

If you have been looking to buy a new food processor lately, chances are you have heard or read a lot about the 14 cup Cuisinart food processor.  Well I figured it was time to check it out to see if this full size food processor would be a benefit or a burden in my kitchen.


The reason I say that is because 14 cups sounds like a lot.  A lot of storage space required, a lot of space needed on my counter and a lot of stuff that perhaps I don’t need in a food processor.  Of course, I am slightly partial to smaller models of Cuisinart food processors, so I will try to stay unbiased on this one.

Benefits of the Cuisinart 14 Cup Food Processor

After reading several reviews on this model, I can see why people really love this food processor.

• It has a very powerful motor – 720 watts to be exact.  This size motor is perfect for mixing large batches of dough for pizza or bread and makes easy work of slicing, dicing, shredding and chopping just about anything.

• The extra large work bowl can accommodate big batches of soup or dough so if you like to entertain or take part in once a month cooking then this model would be perfect.

• The aesthetics of this model is very appealing to buyers.  With its sleek brushed chrome finish, many consumers commented that they loved how this food processor looked amongst their other chrome appliances.  This is definitely an advantage over  older models of food processors that normally only come in a basic white finish.

But Is a 14 Cup Food Processor Too Big?

The jury is still out on this one.  I think for my kitchen it might be a little too large to store or sit out on my counter.  I like my work space to be as uncluttered as possible because I tend to make a huge mess whenever I cook or bake.

But I do see the benefits.  A larger capacity bowl means more room for scalloped potatoes, shredded cheese and cabbage for yummy summer coleslaw.  And I have to admit that the brushed chrome finish is very attractive.

Price Comparison – 14 Cup Food Processor vs. 7 Cup Food Processor

If you are on a tight budget when it comes to buying a food processor, then I think the 7 cup food processor is more affordable without sacrificing much in the way of functionality.

If on the other hand, you are looking for a top of the line processor with a few more capabilities but still affordable (under $200 at Amazon.com), then the sleek 14 cup chrome food processor is the obvious choice.

The best part is, no matter which Cuisinart food processor you choose, you can feel confident in your purchase.  Cuisinart is one of the most trusted brands in kitchen appliances and with their lengthy warranties, you’ll be whizzing up goodies in your kitchen for years to come.

Some call them old fashioned kitchen appliances.  Some call them antique or vintage.  Whatever you choose to call them, retro kitchen appliances are definitely making a huge comeback in today’s modern kitchens. Whether it is the appeal of a simpler time when things in the kitchen weren’t so sleek and streamlined or simply a matter of design preference, going retro in the kitchen is really catching on.


Now before we go any further, let’s get one thing straight right off the bat.  There is a difference between choosing actual antique or collectible items for your kitchen and buying new modern appliances that have been designed to look old fashioned.

Buying Real Old Fashioned Kitchen Appliances

If you are looking to buy antique cooking tools, there are a few things you may want to keep in mind.

Buying authentic antique appliances is going to be very expensive because these items are true collectibles.   And, while these appliances may look great and bring a real old-time quality to your kitchen, be careful when purchasing them as many may not be compatible with today’s modern technologies.

Perhaps the best way to bring a truly vintage feel to your kitchen without the large expense or risk of a faulty electrical device is to stick with kitchen gadgets rather than appliances.   Some of the best inventions of the late 19^th century are still perfect for working in today’s kitchens.  Items like peelers, graters, whisks, can openers and colanders can add old fashioned beauty without sacrificing functionality.

The best place to shop for these types of items is at curiosity shops, antique markets or at estate and garage sales.  But do your homework before you go.   You want to be sure you know what the appropriate price is for an antique appliance or gadget.

Buying (New) Old Fashioned Kitchen Appliances

Buying new modern appliances that have been redesigned to look retro is quickly becoming one of the most popular designs choices for home owners.

One of the reasons that this type of kitchen décor is so popular is because in days gone by, items for the kitchen were much more colorful.  Everything from cabinets to toasters came in a wonderful array of colors including soft pastel pink, blue and sea foam green as well as brighter options like red and royal blue.

These color schemes are quite a welcomed change from the standard chrome, stainless and white that is common to most kitchens today.

Buying new appliances that only look old also saves you the headache of working with large and cumbersome appliances in the kitchen.  With kitchen workspace is at a premium, you certainly don’t need an oversized appliance taking up your much needed counter or storage space.  Modern appliances with a retro feel can be big on impact without being big on space.

How to Update Your Kitchen with Vintage Appliances

There are two ways to use retro kitchen items for maximum effect in your kitchen.  The first thing you can do is go all out with a theme.  This means planning your colors, patterns, fabrics and accessories to make your kitchen look as authentic and old-fashioned as possible.

The best way to do this is start with your major appliances.  If you are considering purchasing an antique-looking refrigerator or stove like these beauties from Big Chill, then you want to make it the starting point for your kitchen re-design as it will obviously be your biggest investment.  Choose a color palette for the walls, towels, dishes and gadgets that is a nice compliment to the color of your largest appliance and then add other accessories as you go.

If you are looking for a way to incorporate retro appliances into your kitchen without doing a major overhaul, then my favorite tip is to choose only a few items to include.  Place a vintage inspired candy-apple red mixer with a few KitchenAid accessories on your countertop and watch how quickly your kitchen starts to feel retro!

Where to Buy Retro Kitchen Appliances

Again, this depends whether you are going for real antiques or just antique-looking appliances.  If it is the modern variation that you desire, one of the best places to check is major online retailers like Amazon.com.  Because of the huge popularity of these old style kitchen tools, retailers are starting to carry more and more of a selection.

If you prefer to shop offline, small specialty kitchen stores normally have a good variety as well.

Why People Love Old Fashioned Appliances

I think the popularity of old fashioned appliances lies in their simple beauty.  Not only the beauty of the appliances themselves but of a time gone by when things were simpler, less rushed and home cooking was slow, easy and delicious.  How about you?