--- title: 3 Ways To Spot Freezer Burn In Commercial Kitchens description: What are the simple ways to detect freezer burn in a commercial kitchen? And what things should be looked for to eliminate it from the walk-ins? image: https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hubfs/erin-mckenna-QjTUB3TMmLM-unsplash.jpg --- [![RDT](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RDT%202020%20Logo%20Files/RDT%20Vertical%20Logo%20Blue.png?width=72&height=95&name=RDT%20Vertical%20Logo%20Blue.png "RDT")](https://www.rdtonline.com/) - [Products](https://www.rdtonline.com/products) - [EcoCool](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/eco-cool) - [EcoSmart](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/ecosmart/) - [MultiRak](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/multirak/) - [PremierPak](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/premierpak) - [FlowPak](https://www.rdtonline.com/products/flowpak/) - [Resources](https://www.rdtonline.com/resources) - [Training & Resources](https://www.rdtonline.com/training-resources) - [K-12 Refrigeration Resources](https://www.rdtonline.com/k-12-refrigeration-resources) - [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)](https://www.rdtonline.com/frequently-asked-questions) - [Literature](https://www.rdtonline.com/resources) - [Warranty Information](https://www.rdtonline.com/warranty) - [Food Waste Solutions](https://www.rdtonline.com/food-waste) - [Energy Saving Solutions](https://www.rdtonline.com/energy-savings) - [Video](https://www.rdtonline.com/resources#video) - About - [Careers](https://www.rdtonline.com/careers) - [Team](https://www.rdtonline.com/team) - [Blog](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog) - [Contact](https://www.rdtonline.com/contact-us) - [Find a Rep](https://www.rdtonline.com/find-a-rep) - [A2L](https://www.rdtonline.com/a2l-transition-resources) --- 1 min read [freezer](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/freezer), [freezer burn](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/freezer-burn), [refrigeration](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/refrigeration), [food waste](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/food-waste), [commercial refrigeration](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/commercial-refrigeration) --- # 3 Ways To Spot Freezer Burn In Commercial Kitchens 22 Feb, 2021 SHARE - - - [mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/ways-to-spot-freezer-burn-in-commercial-kitchens&body=Check%20out%20https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/ways-to-spot-freezer-burn-in-commercial-kitchens&media=https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/2461914/erin-mckenna-QjTUB3TMmLM-unsplash.jpg](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/ways-to-spot-freezer-burn-in-commercial-kitchens&body=Check%20out%20https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/ways-to-spot-freezer-burn-in-commercial-kitchens&media=https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/2461914/erin-mckenna-QjTUB3TMmLM-unsplash.jpg) - - ![erin-mckenna-QjTUB3TMmLM-unsplash](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/erin-mckenna-QjTUB3TMmLM-unsplash.jpg?width=1200&name=erin-mckenna-QjTUB3TMmLM-unsplash.jpg) Freezer burn can be one of the biggest contributors to food waste in commercial kitchens and dissatisfied customers. From poor flavors to decreased profits, there are [many harmful effects of freezer burn](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/the-five-most-harmful-effects-of-freezer-burn-in-restaurants) that can negatively impact restaurants and other types of foodservice operations. What are the simple ways to detect freezer burn, and how what are the things operators should look for when trying to eliminate it from the walk-ins? **PACKAGING** Start with the packaging. Foods that are sealed inside airtight plastic are less likely to have freezer burn. Foods that are inside packages that are ripped or are loosely sealed are more likely to have freezer burn. So, make sure the packaging is intact. Because foods that are stored longer are more likely to have freezer burn, also check the packaging for expiration dates. If the storage date has come and gone, freezer burn is more likely to be present.  Between expiration dates and tightly-sealed foods, packaging is the first place to start for spotting freezer burn. **FOOD COLOR** Once foods are unwrapped from packages, it's important to check the foods themselves. There are a few things to keep in mind when inspecting foods, and the easiest one to locate is ice crystals and discoloration. Proteins that are darker or red in color like beef or steaks tend to have lighter spots on the surface of the meat when freezer burn is present. Other lighter foods like chicken will have darker spots. Vegetables will have white spots, and when you add in the presence of ice crystals, you can be pretty sure your foods are freezer burned. **STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY** Aside from color, there are other basic factors to consider when inspecting foods in a walk-in. Structural integrity is an important one. Foods with freezer burn can tend to shrink or shrivel, and the texture on the surface of foods will lose desired qualities. These should be easy to spot. Smell is also important, as frozen foods can put off foul odors.  ## How do you prevent freezer burn in restaurants? Prevent freezer burn and mitigate food waste with the right commercial refrigeration equipment. Eco-Smart can help. Click below for an interactive experience. #### [![Eco Smart Experiece](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2461914/2dbe6ccc-6e80-45c4-92cd-6da3de854ec8.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2461914/2dbe6ccc-6e80-45c4-92cd-6da3de854ec8) ## RELATED BLOGS [![ What is the Ideal Temperature for Commercial Freezers? ](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Ideal%20Freezer%20Temperature.png?width=500&name=Ideal%20Freezer%20Temperature.png)](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/what-is-the-ideal-temperature-for-commercial-freezers) [food safety,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/food-safety) [freezer,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/freezer) [freezer burn,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/freezer-burn) #### [What is the Ideal Temperature for Commercial Freezers?](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/what-is-the-ideal-temperature-for-commercial-freezers) Just a few degrees can separate food waste from profitable food. Store food in temperatures that are too warm and it wil... [Read More](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/what-is-the-ideal-temperature-for-commercial-freezers) [![ Why Moisture Goes to the Coldest Spot and What It Means for Commercial Freezers.png ](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/moisturecoldestspotgraphicnew.png?width=500&name=moisturecoldestspotgraphicnew.png)](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-moisture-goes-to-the-coldest-spot) [refrigeration,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/refrigeration) [food waste,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/food-waste) [commercial refrigeration,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/commercial-refrigeration) #### [Why Moisture Goes to the Coldest Spot and What It Means for Commercial Freezers](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-moisture-goes-to-the-coldest-spot) Every time a freezer door is opened, moisture enters the conditioned space. If that air is humid, even more moisture ent... [Read More](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/why-moisture-goes-to-the-coldest-spot) [![ A school foodservice worker in an apron steps into a stainless walk-in cooler early in the morning, checking shelved trays of product, with refrigeration equipment out of focus in the background. ](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/What%20to%20Check%20Before%20School%20Refrigeration%20Comes%20Back%20Online.png?width=500&name=What%20to%20Check%20Before%20School%20Refrigeration%20Comes%20Back%20Online.png)](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/what-to-check-before-school-refrigeration-comes-back-online) [school,](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/school) [k-12](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/topic/k-12) #### [What to Check Before School Refrigeration Comes Back Online](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/what-to-check-before-school-refrigeration-comes-back-online) Two or three weeks before students return, a nutrition director walks the kitchen and listens. One walk-in is pulling do... [Read More](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/what-to-check-before-school-refrigeration-comes-back-online) **CONTACT US** Refrigeration Design Technologies P.O. Box 622. Waxahachie, TX 75168 1808 FM Road 66. Waxahachie, TX 75167 Phone: (972) 937-3215 Toll-Free: (800) 736-9518 email: [info@rdtonline.com](mailto:info@rdtonline.com) **CONNECT WITH US** [Privacy Policy](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/blog/ways-to-spot-freezer-burn-in-commercial-kitchens#a) [Company Profile](https://www.rdtonline.com/about-rdt) ![RDT Logo Horizontal Dark Blue-1](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/RDT%202020%20Logo%20Files/RDT%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Dark%20Blue-1.png?width=250&height=84&name=RDT%20Logo%20Horizontal%20Dark%20Blue-1.png) ![FCSI-Logo-125X58](https://solutions.rdtonline.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Rdt_Oct2016/FCSI-Logo-125X58.png?width=175&height=81&name=FCSI-Logo-125X58.png)   © Copyright 2026 Refrigeration Design Technologies, Inc. - All Rights Reserved.