World News

Industry news and insights from Europe and around the World

UK News

Latest news and developments in the United Kingdom

Products

Keep up-to-date with the latest new products and technology

Features

General articles, applications and industry analysis

Space saving drawer can switch from fridge to freezer

UK: The latest addition to Williams Refrigeration’s Chef’s Drawer range is a variable temperature model that can be switched from a refrigerator to a freezer.  

The new model features an entirely new body which, because it ventilates through the front, can squeeze into tight spaces. 

An individual refrigerated drawer, it is made of stainless steel throughout and is said to be able to cope with ambients as high as 43°C, making it ideal for busy commercial kitchens. 

Designated VWCD1, the new model is just 670mm deep, thanks to its refrigeration system being mounted to the side, as opposed to the rear. It can also fit beside or under a standard 700mm work surface, leaving 30mm at the back to make it easy to plug in to a 13A supply.  Like the established models in the range, the VWCD1 accepts 2/1GN pans, up to 150mm in depth. 

The design allows for two drawers to be stacked – effectively doubling the footprint capacity.  Crucially, the height of two stacked VWCD1 units is just 838mm, including castors, so they can fit under a 900mm high worktop.

Practical features include removable drawers and fittings for cleaning, a cassette-type refrigeration system for ease of servicing and maintenance, and swivel and brake castors, which make it both easily movable for positioning and cleaning, and rock steady when locked in position. The castors come in a choice of sizes, and there’s also the option of adjustable legs, so the height of the Chef’s Drawer can be specified to match the site’s needs. 

Like the other models in the Chef’s Drawer range, the VWCD1 uses the “natural” refrigerant R290 (propane) and features high density polyurethane insulation. 

The VWCD1 measures 1100mm wide by 670mm deep and, depending on the castor or leg option selected, from 456mm to 530mm high. It has a capacity of 105 litres. The Chef’s Drawer range is available from Williams distributors; list prices for the new VWCD1 start from £2,300.

Latest News

25th May 2026

Using smart glasses for engineer development

UK: Arcus FM is introducing smart glasses into its refrigeration team to strengthen on-the-job learning, improve remote technical guidance and help address the technical skills gap in facilities management.
25th May 2026

Paloma Rheem completes Groupe Atlantic purchase

JAPAN/FRANCE: Paloma Rheem Holdings (PRH) has completed its acquisition of a majority stake in Groupe Atlantic, the French HVAC equipment manufacturer.
24th May 2026

Carrier appoints UK MD as David Dunn joins CDL

UK: In changes to its management structure, Carrier UK and Ireland has appointed Pastor Casanova as managing director with responsibility for the Carrier, Toshiba and Viessmann brands.
23rd May 2026

Daikin forms embedded software joint venture

THAILAND: Daikin Industries (Thailand) has established a joint venture with Toyota Tsusho Nexty Electronics (Thailand), a subsidiary of the Japanese company specialising in embedded software development for the automotive sector.
23rd May 2026

AREA names young video stars

SPAIN: Young professionals from France and Germany have been named as winners of AREA’s annual European Rising Stars video competition.
23rd May 2026

€2.2m backing for solid-state cooling launch

GERMANY: Qurie GmbH, a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Physical Measurement Techniques IPM, is entering the market with a solid-state heat pump based on electrocaloric materials.