When it comes to refrigerated vans, the right temperature management always makes all the difference – and it often requires particular attention when you’re transporting mixed perishable loads. Usually, a set of goods being transported in a fridge van will all be in roughly the same temperature window – but if you’re planning on moving frozen, chilled and ambient items all at once, you’ll need to take extra care that all your temperature zones have been configured appropriately.
With more than 25 years of experience to our name here at CoolVan, we have an established track record of providing market-leading fridge vans to a wide variety of sectors – so you can count on us to give you the essentials you need to know about temperature zones for mixed perishable loads.
How temperature zones affect different perishables
At a glance:
- Fresh produce and dairy typically need chilling at 2–5°C
- Frozen goods require -18°C or below
- Bakery and dry goods are fine at ambient temperatures
Before the van is actually loaded, one of the first considerations will always need to be on how each product type responds to temperature. Fresh produce such as fruit and vegetables typically need chilled conditions of around 2–5°C. Any higher than that can make leafy greens lose crispness, while berries and soft fruits spoil rapidly. Dairy products also sit in this range, and keeping them stable avoids issues with texture with these too. And most importantly with dairy of course, it also avoids issues with food safety.
Frozen goods are different. They need to be kept below -18°C to maintain both their safety and their quality. Ice creams, frozen meats and seafood stay safe at this level, but if the temperature moves any higher, it risks thawing – which creates harmful bacteria and ruins the product. On the other hand, bakery products or dry goods might be perfectly fine at ambient temperatures, but if they’re placed too close to chilled zones, they can be damaged by condensation. That’s why it’s so useful to have a van with well-defined zones – it makes it much easier to transport a variety of items together, and deliver them in the condition your customers expect.
How to balance frozen, chilled and ambient goods in one load
The main challenge of running mixed loads is to do with ensuring that each product’s needs are respected without compromising others. When you plan your routes, you’ll need to consider what percentage of your cargo is frozen, chilled or ambient. If you’re moving a heavy load of frozen foods, you’ll need to dedicate more van space to that zone, while still allocating room for chilled produce that can’t handle those sub-zero conditions. And if your delivery schedule means multiple drops, you’ll also want to think about access: frozen items can be kept deeper in the van, while more frequently needed chilled or ambient goods are placed closer to the doors.
You can also look at the way your van’s partitions and airflow systems are set up. Proper separation between zones prevents chilled air from leaking into ambient areas and avoids frozen conditions creeping into chilled storage. Fans, vents and insulation all play a role, and if you’re moving high-value perishables, you’ll want a van that gives you precise control over these elements. That way, you can load frozen fish, fresh vegetables and bakery products at once, knowing that each is being stored in the right environment throughout the journey.
3 common setups for multi-temperature vans
Multi-temperature vans can be designed in different ways, and the right setup for you will depend on what you’re carrying and how you need to deliver it.
Dual-compartment system
This design uses a partition to split the van into two areas, often one frozen and one chilled. You can then decide how much space each zone needs for a given trip, making it flexible enough for many operators. It’s especially useful if you regularly carry both frozen meats and chilled produce together. The simplicity of this layout also makes it easier to maintain, which helps reduce downtime and keep your operations running smoothly.
Triple-compartment system
A triple-compartment setup adds a third zone, usually ambient, alongside chilled and frozen sections. This layout works well if your deliveries involve a wide variety of products, such as groceries that include everything from frozen seafood to fresh fruit and dry packaged goods. It’s a setup that provides clear separation between goods and provides a dependable way to keep everything in its own environment. Many operators use this design when they work with retailers or caterers who order broad ranges of stock.
Variable temperature system
In this configuration, the van’s interior can be adjusted depending on the load. This setup relies on advanced insulation and refrigeration units that allow you to change the size and role of each zone as needed. If your business handles different mixes of goods from one week to the next, this level of flexibility gives you the control to meet those changing demands. It can also support seasonal shifts in demand, letting you expand frozen storage during summer ice cream deliveries or increase chilled space during times when fresh produce is in higher circulation.
That’s all the essentials covered! And of course, if you’ve ever got any questions about our fridge vans for sale, or our conversions service, don’t hesitate to ask our team here at CoolVan. With a wide variety of fridge vans for sale – including Volkswagen Crafters, Ford Transits and Mercedes Sprinters – you can be sure we’ll have all the advice and answers you need. You can give us a call on 0161 751 7140, or email us on sales@coolvan.co.uk, and we’ll be happy to help however we can!
