Have you ever seen a food truck and thought to yourself, "How does the food stay cold and fresh?"?
Refrigeration is the answer! Refrigerated transportation can help in shipping food from all around the world.
You might be interested in learning more about how it works and how it has changed the way people buy and eat food. If that's the case, stay reading to learn more about refrigerated transport:
What Is Refrigerated Transportation?
Credit: refrigerated transport.com
Refrigerated trucking or refrigerated transportation (sometimes known as "reefer") is a freight shipping method that specializes in the delivery of foods and items that must be transported at a specific temperature. The food and other products are transported on a trailer with a built-in refrigeration system to keep all products in their pre-shipped state.
In the 1800s, cargo transporters would place ice and salt beneath temperature-controlled goods or perishable foods in train cars, which was the first primitive form of refrigerated transportation. This procedure was incredibly inefficient, and it inevitably resulted in significant losses in product value and profitability.
More effective ways of refrigerated transportation were created in the 1900s, and advances in technology have given rise to cold chain logistics, which has grown into a large industry.
How Does Refrigerated Transportation Work?
Credit: Cold-Rite
Refrigerated transportation is required to deliver food in accordance with the strict food safety regulations in force. To keep refrigerated trucks at the proper temperature for the duration of their journey, specialized technology is required.
A truck's refrigeration system is made up of three primary components:
1) Compressor
The compressor gets its name from the fact that it draws in refrigerant in a gaseous state and compresses it.
2) Condenser
The gaseous refrigerant travels to the condenser after being compressed into liquid form. The liquid refrigerant is warm due to the compression, but it begins to lose most of its heat within the condenser.
3) Evaporator
The evaporator is the final phase. When the refrigerant reaches the evaporator, it has completely cooled off. Withing the evaporator, the refrigerant converts to a gas, which is then released into the refrigeration system to regulate the temperature.
The three parts are not interchangeable, but they must operate together to keep the trailer in good working order. They keep a consistent temperature and humidity.
The Importance of Refrigerated Transportation
Credit: Chicago Tribune
The reasons for the importance of refrigerated transportation are listed below:
1) Continuous High Demand
Fresh products are a growing market. As a result, refrigerated trucking is always in great demand, regardless of the season. Produce shippers rely solely on this mode of transportation to ensure that their products arrive fresh and undamaged.
2) Reliability
Aside from the built-in refrigeration systems, refrigerated containers offer exceptional sun and rain protection. Reefer carriers also adhere to a strict code of conduct, making them a safe and dependable mode of delivery for temperature-sensitive goods.
3) Wide Variety
Refrigerated freight can be used for a wide range of products, including food that may require temperature control services. Other than temperature-sensitive goods, other widely carried goods that rely on refrigerated shipping include plants, medications, and personal care products.
4) You Have the Option of Chilled or Frozen Temperatures
Refrigerated trucking allows for greater temperature and humidity control during transportation. Depending on what you need to convey, you can keep products chilled or frozen. Some companies also have the capacity to regulate the temperature inside the truck. For improved temperature control, they use different zone settings. These businesses take considerable care to ensure that your products are kept at the correct temperature. This prevents them from rotting.
5) It Aids in the Reduction of Food Waste
It is more cost-effective to move goods using refrigerated transportation. This is because the food is kept at appropriate temperatures, which means it is less likely to spoil and be thrown away. Temperatures above 40 degrees might encourage the growth of bacteria in food. Salmonella and E. coli are more likely to develop as a result of this.
This necessitates the use of refrigeration when shipping these items. It also ensures that food is delivered fresh and is handled securely while being transported from point A to point B.
Is Refrigeration Transportation Here to Stay?
Credit: Delivery Concepts
Without a doubt! With the popularity of food trucks, foods from all over the country and the world, and human demand, businesses would be crazy not to provide this service.
The purpose of refrigerated transportation is to assist in the safe and efficient delivery of foods that would otherwise be unable to travel from point A to point B. This business's market has grown significantly over the last five years, and it continues to be as popular as ever.
Who Can Provide It?
Credit: premierrefrigeratedtransport.com
There are numerous companies that can provide refrigerated transport services. Most trucking companies offer refrigerated trucks that can transport your perishable goods with ease. These businesses have a lot of expertise in transporting perishable goods from point A to point B without a hitch.
You don't have to use a trucking business to acquire refrigerated transportation services. Before enlisting a company to carry your perishables, be sure they have access to refrigerated trucks.
Summary
Refrigerated transport service works best when combined with dry ice packs and other coolants. Make sure to check out Nice Packs for the best dry ice packs on the market!
