Fresh fish and seafood are some of the most perishable goods there are, and a fishmonger’s reputation rests on them arriving in perfect condition. The right refrigerated van makes that easy. Here’s what to look for.
Temperature
Fresh fish travels in a chiller, which holds 0 to 5°C. Chilled food must by law be kept at 8°C or below in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and the Food Standards Agency recommends 5°C or below. If you also sell frozen fish or seafood, frozen goods need -18°C or colder: that means a freezer van, or a van with two compartments split by a bulkhead. See chiller van or freezer van?
Protection against fish juices
Fish juices are highly corrosive. If they get into the door seals and the side door runners, they cause rust quickly. Two extras deal with it:
- Door lips stop liquid running out of the load space into the seals and runners.
- A drain hole lets the liquid out of the van properly when you wash it down.
An interior that cleans easily
The insulated lining we fit gives a smooth, easy-to-clean load space, which you’ll wash down far more often than most trades. Keep an eye on it for cracks or damage: water getting into the lining stops the insulation working and makes the fridge work harder.
Holding temperature on a busy round
If you deliver to restaurants, hotels and shops, the doors open at every stop. Curtains across the side and rear doors hold the cold in while you unload, and a load temperature recorder prints a record showing the fish was kept at the right temperature. See our accessories.
Size
A small or medium van suits most local rounds and is easy to park outside a restaurant. If you’re collecting from markets in bulk, or carrying boxes on pallets, look at a large van with pallet runners to protect the floor. See what size fridge van do you need?
Keeping it legal and clean
Your van is part of your food business, so the same cleaning routines and records apply as in your shop. The FSA’s guidance for businesses that supply food on the move is a good starting point: the van must be kept clean and in good condition, able to keep the fish at the right temperature, and raw and ready-to-eat food kept apart.
See our fish and seafood fridge vans and every fridge van in stock, or call us on 01444 245555 and tell us how you work. Delivery is free anywhere in the UK.
