What is Meat?
Meat is flesh from an animal that is consumed as food. Animals such as sheep, chickens, turkeys, cattle and pigs are killed and their flesh usually cooked in some way before consumption. Meat is made up of water, fat, and protein. Raw or unprocessed meat will spoil within a few hours or a few days due to decomposition by fungi and bacteria. This makes the meat inedible, infectious, or poisonous.
Meat can be preserved in a number ways. It can be smoked, dried, refrigerated, or frozen. Appropriate food safety, food preservation, and food storage need to be practiced in order for the shelf-life of meat to be lengthened and for it to remain healthy for consumption. Proper preservation methods must also be observed during the transportation of meat. Refrigerator vans are used to preserve the meat during transportation.
What is a Meat Refrigeration Van Used For?
A meat refrigeration van is used to keep meat at a regulated temperature that preserves it while it is transported especially during long distances. The trucks can be used to transport other frozen foods and perishable goods such as fish and medical supplies. Meat trucks ensure food safety during the transportation of all types of frozen or refrigerated goods.
Temperature-Controlled Refrigeration Trucks
At Glacier vehicles, we have numerous vans that have excellent refrigeration systems that will keep your meat safe and in great condition while it is being transported. These trucks are essential in the supply chain of businesses. They help in effectively delivering top quality goods every time.
How Meat Van Units Work
A meat van has certain processes that work to make it an insulated area. The processes include:
Thermal insulation
A Meat truck has an insulated and airtight compartment that serves to store meat in peak condition. For the meat truck to function properly, good Insulation is essential. The insulation in the van is different from the insulation used in a household refrigerator. It is of higher quality and a lot thicker.
Thermal engineering
Thermal engineering is another process that is essential for a meat van to function properly. The four parts involved include:
- Styrofoam
Styrofoam in a meat truck ensures that the amount of cool air exiting the van is as little as possible. Vans that are meant to keep meat properly refrigerated can have styrofoam with a thickness of up to 50 mil. Trucks that are meant to keep meat properly frozen have styrofoam with a thickness of 75 mil. The density of foam (PCF) is calculated by pounds per cubic foot.
- Wood boarding
The wood used in the meat refrigerator needs to be treated with anti-bacterial fungicides that are food safe to prevent rot from occurring and contaminating the goods.
Fiberglass is used in the vehicles as sheeting for the interior. It acts as an agent for the GRP resin that is used in the finishing of the truck.
- GRP resin interior
The vehicle is finished with a layer that is similar to resin flooring. When it dries, it is 100% hygienic and it becomes an easily cleaned loading area.
The refrigerated van uses a direct mechanism that powers the refrigeration compartment with power that is generated by the engine. This powers the condenser, refrigeration, the fridge system, the compressor, and evaporator.
Temperature control in a meat van
The temperature in the vehicle needs to be regulated for it to keep the meat safe. The vehicle collects air from the outside, cools it and circulates it within the van. There is a partition wall that can be static or movable which protects the driver’s side of the truck.
What Components are used in your meat van/conversions?
The vans sold at Glacier vehicles are built with GAH refrigeration systems. The trucks have a 2-temp fan kit from GAH built into them. There is also a dual compartment Insulated Coolbox/Cargo Compartment in the chiller. The vehicle can have a freezer supporting 0 to -25 degrees and a refrigerator supporting 0 to +5 degrees.
Meat Van Cargo Options
Our Meat truck cargo options include:
- Standby capability
- Strip Curtains
- Extra Shelving or Racking
- ‘Wet Load’ or ‘Slip Resistant’ floors
- Meat Rails
- Slide Drawers
Types of Meat Trucks
- LWB (Long wheel Base)
- MWB (Medium Wheel Base)
- SWB (Short Wheel Base)
Recommended Meat Trucks
- Small – Medium Meat Truck
These types of meat trucks are 2-pallet vans that have internal lengths of between 2m to 2.5m. They can carry an average payload of between 400 kg and 800 kg.
Trucks in this category include:
- Ford Custom
- Ford Transit
- Citroen Dispatch
- Volkswagen Transporter
- Peugeot Expert
- Renault Trafic
- Vauxhall Vivaro
- Mercedes Vito
- Fiat Scudo
- Large Vans
- Medium – Large Meat Truck
These types of vehicles are 3 to 4 pallet vans that have an internal length of between 2.9 m and 4.2 m. They can carry goods that weigh between 800 kg and 1300 kg.
Vans in this category include:
- Peugeot Boxer
- Fiat Ducato
- Iveco Daily
- Vauxhall Movano
- Renault Master
- Mercedes Sprinter
- Volkswagen Crafter
- Citroen Relay
- Ford Transit
- Nissan NV400
Meat Truck Features
The following are standard features of the meat trucks:
- Warranty
- Remainder of Manufacturer Warranty
- Fridge System 12 month Warranty
- Glacier Vehicles 12 month Warranty
- MOT
- Free of charge delivery
- Call out to mainland UK
- Multi Point Check
- Service
- Standby Facility, eg. Wedding Caterer
- Conversions are New
Optional Extras
The following extras can be added to the van upon request:
- Satellite Navigation
- Air Conditioning
- LED daytime running lights
- Bluetooth
- Alarm
- Cruise Control
- Rear Parking Sensors
How many meat vans do you keep in stock at your dealership?
You can expect to get a wide variety of meat vans at Glacier Vehicles. There are always new vans and trucks available at our dealership because our stock is constantly being updated.
How much does a meat van cost?
The vehicles come in different price ranges based on specifications, size and brand. You can take advantage of our flexible payment options.
If you want to buy a used refrigerated van, a used freezer van, a new refrigerated van or a new freezer van call, Glacier Vehicles on 0208 668 7579.
