Is a used rapid freezer a good deal or a risk? Revealing the points to avoid failure!

While rapid freezer market is attracting attention, some people may be thinking, ` `I want to look for a used item because rapid freezer and rapid freezing are expensive.''
Used rapid freezer are sold at specialized retailers and online shopping sites. However, given the scarcity of models and the risks involved, we cannot say with certainty that second-hand products are cheaper and more profitable.

Also, unlike genuine products, where you can receive support from the manufacturer, used products are left to the buyer. Identifying rapid freezer and knowing how to use them is extremely difficult.

Therefore, this time we will explain the characteristics and risks of used products for those who are considering buying a used rapid freezer. We will also introduce the use of subsidies, rentals, and leases that help reduce costs. Please use this as a reference to avoid making mistakes with a used rapid freezer.

Most used rapid freezer are blast chillers and shock freezers.

If you search for `` rapid freezer,'' you will find used rapid freezer at second-hand specialty retailers and online shopping sites. The price varies depending on the condition of rapid freezer, but it is sometimes sold for about 1/3 of the retail price.

However, if you look closely at those used rapid freezer, most of them are blast chillers, shock freezers, and freezer stockers. Strictly speaking, these used freezers cannot be called "rapid freezer."​

First, we will explain the differences between blast chillers, shock freezers, and frozen stockers that are available as second-hand rapid freezer, and original rapid freezer and rapid freezing.

blast chiller

Blast chillers, such as those manufactured by Hoshizaki, are often confused with rapid freezer, but blast chillers are chillers that pre-cool food, not rapid freezer. By blowing cold air on hot food to quickly cool it down, it helps improve cooking efficiency and hygiene management.

However, a blast chiller is a cooling machine. Although there are rapid freezer that can be used in conjunction with rapid freezer or have the function of a blast chiller, a blast chiller alone cannot provide the effects of rapid freezer or rapid freezing.

shock freezer

A shock freezer is a machine that quickly freezes food at room temperature by blowing cold air at -40°C. The freezing speed is faster than that of a home freezer, and the generation of bacteria and drips can be suppressed.

However, this does not match the definition of rapid freezer and rapid freezing, which is ``the time it takes for the water in the food to pass through the freezing temperature range (-1℃ to -5℃) within 30 minutes.'' Strictly speaking, it cannot be called rapid freezer..

However, depending on the food, it can be frozen at the same speed as rapid freezer, and the quality can be close to that of rapid freezer. Shock freezers are typically manufactured by Hoshizaki and Panasonic, and Panasonic sells them as "quick freezers."

Also, unlike rapid freezer, which are often large, there are also smaller types.

frozen stocker

A frozen stocker is a device for freezing storage. They come in a variety of sizes, from small to large, and can reach temperatures as low as -60℃. Although it can be set at a lower temperature than a home freezer, it does not have freezing technology like rapid freezer.

Although they are useful for storing rapid freezing foods, their role is different from that of rapid freezer.
　
　
In this way, the blast chillers, shock freezers, and freezer stockers that you can find at ``Used rapid freezer'' are machines with different performance from the original rapid freezing rapid freezer and deep freezers. There are almost no second rapid freezer on the market.

The reason is that once you incorporate rapid freezer into your cooking process, you won't be able to do without it.

rapid freezer use a special freezing process to achieve far higher quality than home and commercial freezers.

There are different ways of thinking depending on the purpose of purchasing rapid freezer, but if you are aiming to make a profit from a long-term perspective, we recommend a high-quality rapid freezer that is not commonly found in second-hand products.

Are used items dangerous? Explaining the risks

Most of the used rapid freezer sold are blast chillers and shock freezers, and other used rapid freezer are extremely rare. The advantage of choosing second-hand products in such a limited environment is cost savings.

However, while second-hand products are cheaper, they also come with risks. Here, we will tell you about the risks of using used rapid freezer.

No warranty or after-sales follow-up

Unlike genuine products that have a strong follow-up from the manufacturer, the warranty period for used rapid freezer varies, and for some used products, returns and exchanges are only available in the case of initial defects. Maintenance of rapid freezer is complex and often involves large repair costs.

Lack of after-sales follow-up is the biggest risk with used rapid freezer.

We will arrange delivery and installation ourselves.

In most cases, used rapid freezer are delivered on a truck, with the purchaser handling the transportation and installation. Installation work includes gas connections and refrigerant piping work, and depending on rapid freezer, a dedicated outlet may be required.

If it's a new item, you can arrange for a partner company, but if it's a used item, you won't be able to receive support from them (although there are some second-hand stores where you can ask).

May leave a smell

In the case of second-hand rapid freezer that were used in the seafood processing industry, the smell of fish may remain. If you're buying a second-hand item, we recommend that you check what rapid freezer was used for.

Will rapid freezer pay for itself?

Is a used rapid freezer better than a new one?

The lifespan of rapid freezer and rapid freezing is approximately 10 years. I tried to simulate how long it would take to get the money back by using a new rapid freezer for 10 years.

Assuming you purchase rapid freezer / rapid freezing for the market price of 3.5 million yen,
[3.5 million yen ÷ 10 years ÷ 12 months ÷ 20 days (works 20 days a month) = 1,458 yen]

It pays for itself with a cost-effectiveness of 1,500 yen per day.
If you can achieve a cost-effectiveness of more than 1,500 yen per day by developing sales channels and improving production efficiency using rapid freezer, rapid freezer will pay for itself.

<Example of using rapid freezer to generate cost effectiveness of 1,500 yen per day>

So, what about used rapid freezer?
If you use it for the same period of time and can achieve the same cost-effectiveness, a used item is a good deal.

However, used rapid freezer

• Problems with defects or malfunctions
• Unable to choose the most suitable model, resulting in poor quality of frozen products

There are risks such as that it may not be possible to use it for the expected period of time, or it may not be as cost-effective as a new product.

Although a new product does not necessarily guarantee success, the risk of failure can be avoided compared to a used product because a maintenance system is in place and you can choose the most suitable model. If you can use rapid freezer for 10 years or more according to your long-term plan, there is a good chance that you will get more benefits than using a used rapid freezer.

Points to avoid making mistakes with used rapid freezer

Next, we have summarized three points to avoid making mistakes with a used rapid freezer.

maintenance status

Used rapid freezer are evaluated based on the presence of scratches and usage history, but it is dangerous to judge based on that alone.

If you are buying a used product, we recommend checking carefully to see if it has been maintained​ ​and if it will work properly when used as intended.

Warranty/support system

As I mentioned earlier about the risks of using used rapid freezer, there are many used products that are only available in case of initial failure.

Used rapid freezer without (short) warranties may incur large repair costs in the event of a problem, so be sure to check the warranty system.

Utilization advice

Maximizing the performance of rapid freezer requires know-how.

If used incorrectly, rapid freezer may not be able to perform its intended functions or may cause a malfunction.
It would be best if you could get advice from the manufacturer or an expert, but it may be difficult to find a used item.

We also provide advice on freezing methods. If you have any trouble using rapid freezer, please contact us.

We have introduced some points to avoid failure, but it is difficult to find a used rapid freezer that actually meets these points.

If the reason you choose a used car is price, why not consider using subsidies, renting, or leasing?
The subsidy utilization introduced below is a method that is extremely useful in cutting costs for rapid freezer.

Used flash freezer

If you want to reduce costs, it is recommended to use subsidies rather than second-hand items.

If your goal is to reduce costs, we recommend taking advantage of subsidies rather than choosing a used rapid freezer.

In Japan, a subsidy system called ``Manufacturing Subsidy'' (maximum subsidy amount of 10 million yen) has been established to support capital investment by small and medium-sized enterprises. If you can use this subsidy to purchase the most suitable rapid freezer, you will not have the risks of buying a second-hand machine, and you will also be able to reduce costs.

However, the acceptance rate for manufacturing subsidies is approximately 30-50%. In order to be selected as a subsidy recipient, it is necessary to use techniques such as communicating the advantages and feasibility of a business that utilizes rapid freezer in the application form.

We also provide subsidy support services with an acceptance rate of over 80%. Please contact us if you are interested.

Rental and lease options also available

We also recommend renting or leasing rapid freezer to reduce the initial cost of buying a used one.

It is also possible to rent or lease rapid freezing rapid freezer and deep freezers.In the case of rental or leasing, initial costs can be reduced, and unlike second-hand machines, you can use a maintained or new rapid freezer.

The main difference between rental and lease is the contract period, with rental being a short-term contract of less than one year, and leasing being a medium- to long-term contract of 5 to 10 years. However, there are also long-term rental services for 1 to 8 years, which are comparable to leases, among rapid freezer rental services. Another feature of rental is that it can be recorded as an expense.

Prices vary depending on the type and capacity of rapid freezer, but average prices start from several tens of thousands of yen per month. Renting is more expensive than leasing because the contract period is short, so leasing is recommended for those who want to use it for a long period of time, and rental is recommended for those who want to use it for a short period of time or try it out.

We provide a rental service for rapid freezer, and can also introduce you to affiliated leasing companies. Please contact us if you are interested.

Conclusion

Most of the used rapid freezer on the market are blast chillers, shock freezers, and prefabricated freezers, and there are very few genuine rapid freezer that are sold secondhand. Even if they are extremely rare, second-hand products that do not come with a warranty or after-sales follow-up are risky and dangerous.

rapid freezer and rapid freezing are expensive, but they are cost-effective, and once they get going, they will pay for themselves, and there is a good chance that you will get a better deal than using second-hand products. Also, if cost reduction is the purpose of purchasing a used rapid freezer, we recommend using subsidies, renting, or leasing.

rapid freezer that are cheap and have a high risk, and new rapid freezer that are expensive but highly cost-effective.
Which one is best depends on your point of view, but we recommend making a long-term plan and not making a decision based solely on price, and considering options other than second-hand such as subsidies, rentals, and leases.

As a trading company specializing in rapid freezer, we fully support our customers' rapid freezing businesses from a neutral standpoint.

We do not carry used rapid freezer, but if cost is an issue and you are considering a used item, we will expand your options and possibilities by introducing subsidy measures and rental/lease services. If you have any concerns, please feel free to contact us.