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Friday 31 August 2018

Importance Of Cold Storage Atlanta

By Frances Richardson


A cold storage is a special type of storage facility where temperatures are kept very low. It is mostly used for perishable commodities such as fruits and vegetables. In an economy where there is a lot of harvest during a specific period, it is best to keep the produce in a cold storage to keep it fresh and avoid losses. Cold storage Atlanta is a prime infrastructural facility for perishable commodities.

Storage facilities play an important role in business and have several benefits. One thing that they help do is maintain market prices. Both for the producer and the consumer. The producers are then able to continue producing without the fear of losses after harvest and the consumers can get their products when they need it at a stable price.

Some of the products that are kept in cold storage on a large scale include apples, oranges and potatoes, dry fruits, chemicals, essences and even processed foods. Concentrated dairy products, fish, frozen meats, and eggs are also being kept in storage facilities to regulate the market.

Most of the facilities can be used to store one single commodity or different types. This is usually dependent on the management decision and with proper planning and financial support, this is totally possible. The commodities can be kept at different types on a rental basis or at the same time.

Refrigeration systems are essential in these facilities. They help keep the desired temperature in the rooms where the products are kept. Once this is achieved, it becomes possible to extend the shelf life of products while maintaining their quality. Low costs, durability and high capacity are to be maintained for the equipment to remain effective.

Other factors that need to be taken into consideration for the storage to be a success include regular maintenance of all equipment. The place should be clean and regularly maintained to ensure everything runs optimally. This minimizes the chances of one equipment causing others to fail. This is especially true for the refrigeration systems that all need to work together to maintain the desired temperature.

Some areas of the facilities can be hot and others cold. With the help of a thermal or infrared thermometer, the facility should be examined and these areas identified. Once a hot spot is located, it should be marked and no commodities should be kept in the area.

Products that need pre-cooling should always be pre-cooled before being kept in the cold rooms. This is needed for fruits and vegetables. The practice extends the shelf life and optimizes quality and value. Humidity levels should be maintained based on the products need. Different commodities require different humidity levels. Knowledge of these can help plan the storage process to ensure products with the same humidity requirement are kept together. This can be the difference between gains and losses.

The air in the facility should be kept pure. The use of diesel forklifts or tractors and trucks should not be done near the facility. They produce hydrocarbons which can pollute the air and affect the stored products. In the event it is unavoidable, air purifiers can be used to reduce the effect of the pollution.

Other considerations that need to be made is how the product is rotated. A first in first out principle is key to ensure products do not overstay in the facility. The product should also be inspected before storage to ensure it is okay.




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