Frequently Asked Questions

With over 30 years in the business, we know how to help. Read more about our journey here.

Our Canadian warehouse is located at 396 Henry Street, Brantford Ontario N3S 7W1, with a second warehouse located in North Carolina. 

Our office hours are Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm & Saturday 9:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Our warehouse hours are Monday to Friday 8:00am to 4:00pm.

We do! All of our products make their way to our showroom through our warehouse.

If you are looking to see one of our units before purchasing, please contact our Head Office to make an appointment toll free at (855) 888 9644.

While online ordering can feel quick and easy, at Ancaster Food Equipment, we pride ourselves on the customer service experience. Our knowledgeable team of Sales Representatives will not only identify your needs, but they will also customize your orders and arrange an estimated delivery/ship date. Orders can be placed over the phone toll free at (855) 888 9644, by email at info@ancasterfoodequipment or in person.

Yes, you can place an order by phone. Please give us a call toll free, at (855) 888 9644 and one of our knowledgeable Sales Representatives will be happy to help you. 

Once you have placed your order with our sales representative, a 25% deposit is required in order to see the product through to production (the refurbishing process). Before the product is shipped out, the remaining balance must be paid. 

If you have placed an order for a portable sink, novelty freezer or a New Air freezer, the entire balance must be paid in lieu of the 25% deposit.  

If you need to make any changes to your order after it has been placed, please contact the Sales Representative who helped you to place the order, as quickly as possible. If the order has already been shipped out, we cannot guarantee the changes will be made. We can be reached at (855) 888 9644.

We do! If you are interested in renting a portable sink, you can follow this link to read more about our program or you can call one of our knowledgeable Sales Representatives toll free at (855) 888 9644. Please note that our Keep Safe sinks are available for long-term rentals, not short-term rentals. None of our other products are available for rental.

Once you have placed your order with our sales representative, a 25% deposit is required in order to see the product through to production (the refurbishing process). Before the product is shipped out, the remaining balance must be paid. 

If you have placed an order for a portable sink, novelty freezer or a New Air freezer, the entire balance must be paid in lieu of the 25% deposit.  

Orders do not ship until invoices have been fully paid. After the invoice has been paid in full, shipment dates depend on availability of the units.

– If the units are in stock, they should ship within 24 hours of the invoice being paid 
– If the units are out of stock, they should ship within 1-2 weeks of the invoice being paid 

It must be noted that we cannot guarantee ship dates unless specifically confirmed by your sales representative. Each date that we supply to our customers is an estimated ship date as every business that relies on many moving parts is subject to factors beyond their control. 

Once your order has been shipped, we will provide you with a tracking email that includes all of the information required for you to track your order, such as carrier, shipment date and current location.

We are happy to ship throughout North America and beyond!

Ancaster Food Equipment is excited to begin shipping internationally. However, these orders will be processed on a case-by-case basis as we cannot guarantee shipment dates or rates. 

As a service to our customers, Ancaster Food Equipment is happy to pay any applicable customs fees within North America. For international orders, customs fees are the responsibility of the customer. 

If your order has shipped, you will have received a tracking email with the name and phone number of the carrier your order has shipped with. This is who you will want to contact. 

If the order has not shipped, you are encouraged to contact one of our Sales Representatives toll free at (855) 888 9644.

Before your product is delivered, we ask that you prep the space your new unit will occupy. Measuring doorways against the unit is required. Should your unit be delivered in inclement weather, for example, we suggest clearing the way of any snow or debris. If you have paid for White-Glove service, this means removing any obstacles that could prevent your delivery person from placing the unit where you would like it to stay. 

A freight delivery is anything that cannot be shipped through Ground shipping, and typically weighs over 100 lbs. Everything shipped out of our warehouse is delivered by freight. 

Curbside delivery service provides delivery of your item to the curb at the end of your driveway. Your item will be delivered on a lift gate truck and will be taken off the truck by the delivery driver.

Standard delivery is when your item is moved to the back of the delivery truck by the driver. The driver is not responsible to move your item off of the truck. Rather, it is your responsibility to off-load your items. 

When the shipping or receiving address does not have a loading dock manual unloading is necessary. A lift gate is a platform at the back of certain trucks that can lower a shipment from truck to ground level. Tail gate service is a term used to describe the units being lowered to the ground by a delivery person.

Inside delivery is when the driver brings the shipped items from the truck to the entrance of your building.  Generally, this means the items will be brought inside the front or back door – for example, a lobby or back room.  Inside delivery does not include delivery down a hallway or up stairs.

If you fall in our delivery range and your product is being delivered by Ancaster Food Equipment, our delivery drivers will lower the units onto the ground and bring them inside your facility. 

If your product is being shipped third party outside of our delivery range, the driver will lower the units onto the ground, and you will be responsible for bringing them inside your facility. 

If you are not able to bring your unit in to your facility, you can request White Glove service when placing your order. This ensures the drivers will bring the units inside, and is an additional cost paid for by you. 

Existing units are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Generally, Ancaster Food Equipment is happy to take your unit if it meets the following criteria: 

  • The unit is within our delivery range
  • The product is a TRUE® model
  • You can provide photos of the unit prior to pick up in order for our team to make a final decision

Should your product meet these criteria after evaluation by our team, it will be subject to trade in value. 

If your existing unit is not a TRUE ® model, Ancaster Food Equipment will remove it if: 

  • The unit is within our delivery range
  • The unit fits through the door with ease

In this circumstance, we will scrap the unit on your behalf. Before your product is removed, we ask that you measure doorways against the unit to make sure it will fit. Should your unit be removed in inclement weather, for example, we suggest clearing the way of any snow or debris and removing any obstacles that could prevent your removal to occur. 

Fully self-contained, our sinks include a freshwater and wastewater tank, as well as a heater. As you wash your hands, water is pumped through pvc tubing and through the faucet. The dirty water is then filtered into a wastewater tank where it can be emptied through drainage valves located underneath the unit. For more information on how our sink works, visit our instructional videos found here.

In the case of our portable sinks, “self-contained” means that the sink is complete on its own, meaning that it does not require any additional parts to be used. That said, optional add-ons can be found here.

If your sink is received during the colder months (or winter, in your region), the unit must climatize to room temperature for 24 hours before usage. Otherwise, you can follow the unpacking instructions found here to get started! 

The difference between each of the models of Keep Safe sinks is the basin size. They are as follows:

1 Basin: Height 5.5″, Depth 19.5″, Width 21.5″
2 Basin: Height 5.5″, Depth 19.5″, Width 11″
3 Basin: Height 5.5″, Depth 19.5″, Width 8″

Most commercial kitchens for example, require a minimum of 4 different types of sinks, with up to 3 basins. 

We do! You can find the videos here.

All of our sinks are protected by a 1 year warranty.

If you are washing your hands for 20 second each use, you will get over 120 uses out of 1 water cycle. 

Our Keep Safe sink can be cleaned with any household surface cleaner and a rag or paper towel. You can also use stainless steel polish in spray or wipe form to buff out any imperfections! 

The backsplash is riveted on the sink, so it cannot come off. That said, our Keep Safe sink can be ordered without the backsplash ahead of delivery, however it will no longer meet the same certifications the sink would with the backsplash on.

Our Keep Safe sink weighs 230 lbs, however it sits atop casters that allow for easy movement.  The casters also lock in place to prevent inadvertent moving.

The difference between each of the models of Keep Safe sinks is the basin size. They are as follows:

1 Basin: Height 5.5″, Depth 19.5″, Width 21.5″
2 Basin: Height 5.5″, Depth 19.5″, Width 11″
3 Basin: Height 5.5″, Depth 19.5″, Width 8″

Each of the sinks are 38 inches high, 32 inches wide and 30 inches deep. It should be mentioned that there is an additional 9 inches added to the height of the sink if the backsplash is included, making it 47” high in total. Note: The actual basin dimensions will differ depending on the model of sink you purchase.

Our Keep Safe sinks are ETL certified to UL and CSA standards as well as ETL Sanitation listed to NSF standards. 

The sinks are made in Brantford, Ontario Canada.  

As the wastewater tank is larger than the freshwater tank, it should not overfill if it is emptied each time the freshwater tank is refilled. 

Caution should always be used when using hot water alone. We strongly suggest hot water be used at the same time as cold water to eliminate any risk, just as you would with a residential sink. 

You can fill the freshwater tank by using a garden hose to the side filling point (fill location 1 found in the instructional video.)

You can also fill the freshwater tank by removing the hose on the lid (fill location 2 in the instructional video), and using a pitcher, watering can, glass, etc. 

We do! If you are interested in renting a portable sink, you can follow this link to read more about our rental program or call one of our knowledgeable Sales Representatives toll free at (855) 888 9644. Please note that our Keep Safe portable sinks are available for long-term rentals, not short-term rentals.

Coolers and refrigerators are words that are often used to mean the same thing. A rule of thumb in the industry is that the word “coolers” is used to describe commercial units while “refrigerators” is used to describe residential units. When placing an order, our Sales Representatives should inquire to see which of these applies to you!

Used products are those that come directly from its last user and in most cases are sold as is. It usually does not come with any warranty or any kind of assurance on the product and any potential issues are to be dealt with by the new buyer. On the other hand, Refurbished Products are those that lie between New and Used but the quality of refurbishment depends on where you purchase it from. Refurbished products could simply include a cosmetic makeover and basic testing or it could be a more in-depth process where all major parts are replaced. The best part is the warranty and assurance that comes with Refurbished Units.

According to the latest report from an international survey on commercial refrigerator and maintenance, the average lifespan of commercial refrigerators is 10 years. If the unit is well maintained, it can run up to 15 to 20 years depends on the brand. The highest quality brand in refrigeration is undoubtedly True Manufacturing as they’ve been in business for over 70 years and all units are built in North America. For a more affordable option, Ancaster Food Equipment sells refurbished True freezers and coolers with like-new warranty at half the cost of new.

The most respected and well-known manufacturer of commercial refrigeration around the world is True Manufacturing Co. They have been manufacturing commercial coolers and freezers for over seven decades and have earned the trust of restaurants and store-owners everywhere. Unfortunately, a brand-new True costs thousands of dollars and may be over budget for many customers. That’s why Ancaster Food Equipment’s fully refurbished True freezers and coolers are a great alternative with a full warranty, brand new OEM parts and complete cosmetic makeover. Oh and the best part… it looks new at half the cost of brand new!

According to both Health Canada and the FDA, commercial refrigeration units must be kept at or below 4 oC (40 oF) to maintain freshness and avoid bacteria growth. Oftentimes, commercial units will have about a 6 oF temperature range that it maintains, with the average always staying within the food safety zone. During defrost cycles, the cabinet temperature may briefly spike to prevent ice buildup at the evaporator. This is a normal function and temperatures will quickly fall back into safety range within minutes.

Commercial refrigerators help to keep food and drinks stored at the appropriate temperature to extend product lifespans. There are many possible reasons for temperatures in your refrigeration system to drop below normal levels and potentially freezer your product. The main reason generally has to do with the thermostat, controller or temperature probes failing which will keep the compressor running and cooling your unit unnecessarily. The first step in resolving this issue would be to double check the temperature settings to make sure it wasn’t unintentionally adjusted. If the settings look correct, you will require a certified refrigeration technician to service your unit.

Maintenance required for commercial coolers and freezers generally depends on the style and manufacturer. Ancaster Food Equipment offers refurbished refrigeration made by True Manufacturing Co, a leader in the field for over 70 years and whose units require minimal ongoing maintenance. As with any commercial cooler or freezer, the condenser coils should be cleaned regularly to maintain the efficiency and increase the lifespan of your unit. Other than that, the coolers and freezers are fully self-contained with automatic defrost cycles and do not require any further maintenance. Contact Ancaster Food Equipment for more information on self-contained commercial coolers and freezers!

Like any piece of equipment, commercial coolers and freezers may malfunction or sometimes stop working completely. This could be the result of a faulty thermostat, a refrigerant leak, or even a failing compressor. That’s why purchasing a commercial refrigerator or freezer from a trusted source with a solid warranty is so important. Consider Ancaster Food Equipment with over 30 years in the industry and a workforce of technicians with over 100 years combined experience. Our technicians can quickly diagnose your problem and get your cooler or freezer running again in no time.

Cleaning your commercial cooler or freezer’s condenser coils will increase the efficiency and the lifespan of your unit. To begin, locate the condenser coil and vacuum the coils using the brush attachment. Carefully vacuum out the dust, dirt, or lint that you see on the coils. Next, vacuum the fan if it is visible and you can reach it. By doing this, you are allowing the air to move more freely across the coils, and this will improve the health of your refrigerator unit. Brush away the stubborn dirt and dust from the coils and fans. Start to gently brush away any excess dirt and dust that you might have missed when you were vacuuming.

A commercial freezer is generally described as one that stands upright like a refrigerator would, whereas a novelty freezer (a term used for freezers that store items such as popsicles at convenience stores) is typical of a chest freezer or residential deep freezer.  

Used units are mostly sold by an individual to another through an intermediary site like Kijiji, Craigslist, OfferUp, eBay, etc. Used units may come with light scratches or heavy damages and the seller likely does not provide any specifications or a return policy, since it is done privately. It totally depends on the buyer upon purchase, the risk factor is always there in buying used units. We recommend buying refurbished products rather than used units. Advantages of buying Refurbished include extended warranty, significant savings vs buying new, service and maintenance.

The main difference between the commercial freezers and regular freezers is the size of the units and the amount of food storage capability. In terms of cooling ability, commercial freezers are more powerful than residential ones. Accuracy and precision of the commercial freezer thermostats offer greater control and clear temperature display. Contact Ancaster Food Equipment for great deals on refurbished True coolers and freezers!

According to many restaurant and food stores there are different coolers and freezers units for different food storage. The commercial coolers help to preserve fruits, vegetables, dairy products, cheese etc., that are normally used in daily purpose. Commercial freezers are mostly used for frozen food like pizza, vegetables, meat, etc. Novelty freezers are perfect for storing ice cream, and other frozen goods that lead to last-minute impulse purchases. To get more information on freezers and coolers that meet your needs, call Ancaster Food Equipment today!

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