NEWS & TIPS

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID WHEN HANDLING COLD CONTAINERS

With some forethought and a disciplined approach to storage management, cold containers can be fantastic assets that produce tangible value. They are very efficient and can perform consistently, so taking some simple steps to help avoid human error is the key to success.

Some of the most common mistakes that people make include:

Using the Same Temperature Settings for Any Cargo

If you are using containers with temperature controls, it is imperative to find out which cooling level is required for the particular type of cargo they will hold. There is a huge difference between -5 ͦC and -35 ͦC, so the settings that are perfect in one case could be wrong in the other.

Cooling the Containers before Loading

It may be tempting to prepare a cold container ahead of loading and set it at your desired temperature, but this practice often does more harm than good. The greatest issue is that moisture might condensate inside of the empty units, potentially impacting the cargo later. The best way to use refrigerated containers is to pack them to capacity while leaving some space for air circulation, then turning the cooling system on. This method is also more economical, since far less energy is wasted in the process. Ensure that the products you wish to store are loaded at the same temperature at which the unit is set.

Placing Items too Closely to the Cold Container

Always allow at least 10ft of space in front of your unit to allow sufficient airflow and access for the engineer.

Unlevel Ground

Before ordering a cold container, please ensure the terrain that you intend to place it on is level and that when needed, suitable levelling materials are supplied.

Allowing Power Outage to Disrupt Cooling

Reefer containers require an energy source, and can be either connected to the grid or supplied by an internal generator. Always ensure that the cooling system operating properly and check the unit every six hours or more frequently if required.

Acquiring Substandard or Poorly Maintained Units

In order to protect your valuable stock, always ensure you acquire well maintained, high-quality cold containers with reliable and functional refrigeration from a company you can trust.

If you have any questions or concerns about leasing a container, contact our in-house team today for a free, no obligation site survey.