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6 Freezing Tips to Help You Use Your Freezer Like a Pro

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Cooking, baking, refrigerating, and freezing — on the surface, they all seem like extremely simple actions. In reality, there are tips, secrets, and right and wrong ways to approach each. Unlike cooking and baking, you won’t find many online courses, schools, or reality television shows dedicated to freezing or refrigerating items, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t important. Freezing properly will extend the life of your freezer and your food, and ensure food safety.

At Frigibar, freezing is our business. We’ve been manufacturing quality marine refrigeration products for over 45 years. To help you utilize your freezer like a pro, here are six freezing tips you can start using today.

Rotate and Organize:

A big, thick steak that’s currently at room temperature is going to take more effort from your freezer to freeze than a bag of frozen vegetables. When loading non-frozen items into your freezer, rotate the contents in your unit to efficiently freeze what you’re putting in. For units that are not designed to recirculate the cold air, items closest to the evaporator coils will cool or freeze more quickly.

If the items against the evaporator or walls of the freezer freeze first, this could insulate the items in the middle. Think of an igloo — cold blocks of ice on the outside and a protected area in the middle. By rotating the contents from the middle to the walls or against the evaporator and the solid frozen items from the walls nearest the evaporator to the middle, you will be sure to completely freeze all items in the unit.

Let It Cool First: Freezer systems are designed to remove warm air from the box. If placing hot food into your freezer, not only will your unit have to work much harder to cool and freeze the item, the temperature in your unit will temporarily increase, which could impact other items in the freezer.

Don’t risk the safety of your frozen food or overwork your freezer by putting hot items into it too soon. There are freezer systems designed specifically for cooling hot food. If you don’t have one of these systems, consider letting the food cool or even pop it into the refrigerator for a bit before transferring it to the freezer.

Create Space Between Food:

Overcrowding, like having an HVAC vent that’s closed, can prevent the cooling of what’s in your freezer. By creating space between food items, cold air can properly circulate around items in your freezer.

Tip: For a few dollars apiece, you can purchase plastic bins with holes to create space in between items and organize your food.

Don’t Freeze It!: Not every food item should be frozen. Travel and Cook has the following list of what you shouldn’t be freezing:

  • Raw eggs still in the shell (they will expand and may crack)
  • Hard-boiled eggs go rubbery
  • Vegetables with a high water content, such as lettuce, cucumber, bean sprouts and radishes, go limp and mushy
  • Soft herbs, like parsley, basil, and chives, go brown
  • Egg-based sauces, such as mayonnaise, will separate and curdle
  • Plain yogurt, low-fat cream cheese, single cream and cottage cheese go watery

Additional Tip: Carbonated beverages should not be frozen or placed inside your freezer due to the risk of the cans or bottles exploding.

Keep It Running and Occupied: Freezer systems want to run, constantly. Keeping your freezer plugged in and running will keep the system functioning at its best. An empty freezer will have to work harder, so if you pull all the contents out, leave a couple of jugs of water inside and turn the temperature to a warmer setting.

While it won’t hurt the system to turn it off for a season, a system that runs constantly will have a longer life. If you do decide to shut it down while not in use, prop the lid or door open to avoid mold and mildew growth inside the unit. If you have to leave the door or lid closed, look into placing something like a jar of Tea Tree Power Gel, that naturally eliminates mold, mildew and odors inside to keep you the interior of your freezer unit fresh for your return.

Defrost Ice Build-Up: It is inevitable to get some frost build-up in your freezer. This frost is created from moisture that gets into the box and is most commonly due to a poor seal or just from normal use of opening and closing the unit letting warm air in, which turns into water vapor. Having a huge block of ice on your evaporator or walls of your freezer will make it run less efficiently.

Depending on your freezer system, there are a few ways to defrost your system safely and properly. Some freezers come with a build-in automatic defrost. If you have an auto-defrost system you’re in luck, and you don’t have to do anything since the system will care for itself. If you have significant frost build up in a “frost-free” freezer, you may want to have a technician look at it as it could be a symptom of an issue. If your system doesn’t defrost automatically, here are three of the most common defrost options:

  1. Remove all the items in the freezer, turn it off and let the ice melt. Make sure to place some towels to catch the water so it doesn’t wind up on the floor.
  2. Wet a sponge with warm water and melt the ice as it is applied.
  3. If you have a chest or bench-style unit, like a Frigibar, with a drain in the bottom, running or pouring water over the ice build up to melt it will do the trick.

With any of the methods, make sure to wipe the freezer walls and evaporator coil dry before turning the system on.

Additional Tip: If you have a freezer system that uses an exposed evaporator plate, never, ever, ever (we can’t stress this enough) use an ice pick, knife, or other object that may puncture the evaporator plate. One small puncture will render your system useless and repairs or replacements are often costly.

Take good care of your freezer system and it will take care of you for a long time to come!

whats-in-your-cockpitUse the best in marine refrigeration – order your Frigibar marine refrigeration system today on Frigibar.com. Have questions? We are happy to help! Call 305-757-7697 to speak with one of our experts today.

What Should I consider when looking for a freezer for my boat?

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The appliances on your boat will impact the quality of your adventures. By choosing the right marine refrigeration units for your vessel, you’ll avoid the hassle and stress that comes with having a freezer that doesn’t fit your needs.

To help you navigate the purchasing process, we asked Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky, “What should a boat owner, captain, or crew consider when looking for a new freezer for a boat or yacht?” Shuly responded:  

“When looking for a freezer for your boat, there are a couple of things to consider. The first consideration is what is it that you want to do with the freezer?

  • Do you have a particular length of trip you would like to take?
  • Will you need the capacity to store food for two weeks, two months, etc.?

Starting with what you will use the freezer for will help you choose the right product.  

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In addition to knowing what you will use the freezer for, you need to consider how much space do you have available and what’s available on the market to fit that space?

  • In general, you want to get the largest freezer you can fit because you can never have too much freezer space.
  • You also want to be sure the application you’re going to be using the freezer for is appropriate for the location you plan to put it (on your boat), the environment that it will be in, and how it is you plan to use it and access it.

Asking yourself and answering those questions before you go out into the market to do the research will help you find the information that you need to make an informed and educated decision so you will get the most out of the product you purchase.”

With over 45 years of experience helping owners, captains, and crews find the right freezer for their vessels, we can help you find the perfect unit for your boat — even if it isn’t one of ours. Call Frigibar today to get the help you need to find your next marine refrigeration system: (305) 757-7697 or email us at info@frigibar.com.

Also read: Marine Refrigeration Fit: How to Determine What Size Freezer or Refrigerator is Right for Your Boat or Yacht

7 Signs Your Boat Needs a New Freezer

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Imagine complete peace as you’re out in the middle of nowhere coasting along in your boat. It’s day three of a week-long trip, and you don’t plan on seeing land for another couple of days. You’re feeling a little hungry and head over to your freezer. You open the lid, and the usual feeling of cool air hitting your face is replaced by a surprising smell and a sinking feeling in your gut. You quickly realize that all of your food has defrosted, and you now have to decide if your food is still safe to eat, or if you need to throw out everything in your freezer.

Freezers play an important role in our water-based adventures. For the most part, they’re considered to be simple “plug and play” appliances that we can rest assured that they’ll be working tomorrow as well as they’re working today. But, as with any appliance — freezers need maintenance and sometimes need to be replaced.

Not every scenario like the one above comes without warning. By knowing what warning signs to look for, you can prevent having to cut a trip short or throwing away hundreds of dollars’ worth of food because your freezer needed to be replaced years ago.

Here are seven signs your boat needs a new freezer.

  • Items aren’t freezing quickly or staying frozen

Are those ice cubes taking a little bit longer to freeze than they should?

If things just aren’t freezing as quickly as they have in the past, this could be the beginning of the end for your freezer. After all, freezing things is kind of the point of a freezer, and if yours isn’t getting the job done, it’s time to have it repaired or look for a new one.

If items aren’t freezing quickly, you may also have items that are defrosting — making them unsafe to consume. If your food is not staying frozen, throw it out unless you know how long it has been unfrozen for.

Tip: Check your unit’s thermostat by using a thermometer to gauge if the actual temperature matches what your thermostat reads.

If you don’t have a thermostat for your freezer, checking the temperature inside your unit will help you to immediately know if the temperature is higher than it should be. An ideal temperature for your freezer is 0 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent bacteria growth and ensure your food is fully frozen, but anything below 32 degrees Fahrenheit should keep the items in your freezer frozen.

  • Ice buildup

A buildup of ice inside your freezer is a clear sign that air is getting into your unit. As warm air is coming in, your freezer has to work harder to remove the warm air. This causes a buildup of ice, which is usually near the opening or top of the freezer.

Tip: While your freezer is currently being overworked and can’t stay at this level of output forever, you may not need a brand new freezer. Air getting into your unit could stem from an old or broken seal, an improperly closing door or lid, or crack or hole in your unit.

  • It’s constantly overcrowded

Your freezer should accommodate your freezing needs. If your boat’s freezer is constantly overcrowded, you either need to clean out your old or unwanted food, or replace or add another freezer to your boat.

Tip: The Best Way to Organize Your Freezer

  • What’s that awful noise?

The noise from your freezer should not be keeping you up at night. If your unit is starting to sound more like your boat motor than a freezer, have it inspected or replace it. The problem could be something simple, but an uncharacteristic noise coming from any appliance should be addressed immediately.

  • Age

Age alone isn’t a good reason to replace your freezer, but older appliances are more likely to need repairs and to be replaced. Older units should be closely monitored and as warning signs appear (overheating, broken seals, defrosting unexpectedly), be repaired or replaced.

  • It’s poorly insulated

As your unit ages, the insulation that helps keep hot air out and cold air in can wear out or become wet. If your unit is poorly insulated, it will have to work harder to remove heat, and will break down and stop working sooner than expected.

  • It’s rusting

Rust is a very bad sign for a marine refrigeration system. Due to the conditions experienced out on the water, if already rusting, damage to your freezer and your boat can escalate quickly.

Tip: Rusting can cause stains on the deck of your boat. If you notice light brown stains on your deck or rust-colored water, you will want to replace your freezer before further damage is caused. Make sure you have a freezer that is made for the elements. If placing a unit on your deck, it should be rust-proof and made for outdoor use.

Have a question or looking for a new freezer for your boat? We’re here to answer your questions and help you navigate the buying process. Contact Frigibar at 305-757-7697 or info@frigibar.com. View our product catalog on Frigibar.com.

Why Bench-Style Freezers are the Best Marine Refrigeration Systems for Your Boat or Yacht

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When seeking a refrigerator or freezer for your boat or yacht, there is no shortage of types of refrigeration systems. From a portable plug-in to a custom-built walk-in freezer, depending on the size of your boat, there are dozens of varieties of refrigeration systems to choose from. But not all freezers are made the same, and not all types of freezers are best suited for your boat.

The bench-style freezer is a favorite among boaters, captains, and crews for many reasons, but when it comes down to it — they’re simply the best choice for your boat for several reasons.

Superior Design for Keeping Items Cold

Ever wonder why your attic is much hotter than your basement even if your HVAC system is working properly? It’s because hot air rises and cold air drops. When you open a bench-style freezer, the cold air will take longer to escape since there is no large opening for the cold air to “fall out” of the unit. This means your unit will not have to work as hard to remove additional hot air when the box is opened for you to take something out and your freezer will function more efficiently overall because of this design.

Seating Option

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Since you’re dealing with a limited amount of space on your boat or yacht, maximizing every inch of it is important. Standing a couple of feet high, bench-style freezers are of similar height to the average seating on a boat and are long enough to fit several people. They can also be fitted with custom, removable cushions, making them a comfortable and stylish seating option as well.

Ease of Use

Bench-style freezers are easier to pack a large amount of food or other items into due to the top-opening construction. Stacking things vertically can be a challenge. You may also worry if your items will topple over and out of your freezer the minute you open it, as things tend to shift while underway. It’s easier to stack and pack from an aerial position from the bottom up through the top opening of your freezer. And rest assured, when you open the unit to take something out, it will be right where you left it.

More Storage for the Space

With these short and convenient units, you’re only limited on the amount of available freezer space based on the size of your deck. Many boat owners use multiple bench-style freezers, and due to their size, they don’t obstruct views or prevent you from achieving the look and feel you want on your boat.

Versatility

Bench-style units, if created with Dual Control, can be used as a refrigerator, freezer or cooler in an emergency situation where power is not available. Being able to utilize the unit as a refrigerator or freezer with Dual Control gives you additional flexibility when hosting guests or to make the most out of the type of trip you’re taking. For example, if you’re going on a several hour fishing trip, you may want to keep bait refrigerated and not frozen, but on a several day excursion, you may need to keep food frozen to use in the late stages of your voyage.

Frigibar specializes in manufacturing the best American-made, luxury handcrafted fiberglass freezers available on the market, including bench-style freezers. View the Frigibar product catalog to learn more about how our freezers can improve the quality of your boating adventures.

Trip Necessities: 5 Things to Keep in Your Boat’s Freezer On a Long Trip

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We’ve all been on vacations where something doesn’t go as planned. It’s almost part of the experience — the realization that exciting things, either for better or worse, are bound to happen. When out on the water for days or weeks at a time, there’s nothing fun about something going wrong.

Whether for comfort or survival, there are several things you should always keep in your boat’s freezer when taking a long trip. Here are five items to not leave your dock or marina without.

Ice Packs

The most obvious item you should always keep in your vessel’s freezer is an ice pack (or several). Ice packs are the duct tape of the frozen world — they can be used for nearly anything. From icing a bump on your head to cooling down something that’s overheated to adding extra depth to your freezer to keep it cold in case power goes out, ice packs are a must.

Extra Tip: Consider bringing along a couple of different sizes of ice packs, especially if you have achy joints. Like Band-Aids, different sizes of ice packs can be useful when icing different body parts and items.

Bread

Bread can keep for weeks in a freezer. It can be toasted in a few seconds to make toast, or thawed out for sandwiches. If the power goes out on your boat or you end up getting lost, bread kept in a freezer will remain safe to eat longer than nearly any other non-canned food.

Extra Tip: Use sliced bread rather than whole loaves to allow for easy cutting and defrosting.

Frozen Fruit

Slip in a drink, make a smoothie, nibble on as a snack, or use as your source of needed vitamins, fruits frozen safely are always good to have on hand. Frozen fruit can last in a freezer 6-9 months. If preparing your own fruit to freeze instead of purchasing pre-packed frozen fruit, make sure to do it properly (here’s how!).

Extra Tip: Make sure to give your fruit enough time to freeze properly before spoiling. Also, keep in mind that fruits will lose nutrients when frozen, so if using solely for nutrition, it is best to keep them fresh, not frozen.

Proteins

Proteins have a stabilizing effect on blood sugar. Being cranky because of low blood sugar is only going to make a bad situation worse, and can turn a great trip into a frustrating one.

Whatever your favorite proteins are: cheeses, meats, nuts, or other, their benefits will keep you energized and your immune system protected. Make sure to store more than enough for your trip in the case that it runs longer than expected.

Extra Tip: Bring along at least some proteins that are pre-cooked or do not need a heat source in order to be consumed.

Bottles of Water

A weathered and hot plastic bottle of water when you’re thirsty isn’t an attractive option. Frozen bottles of water can serve as emergency ice packs and will also still be safe to drink once the ice melts, giving you something cold to drink and keeping at least a portion of your bottles of water out of the heat and away from the sun.

Extra Tip: Always keep bottles of water that are not stored in the freezer in a safe and cool location.

Since many of these are about survival, also make sure to bring things like trail mix, beef jerky and protein bars, which will keep for weeks and have the protein your body needs. For more on the best foods to stock for survival, check out Best Foods to Stockpile for an Emergency.

Tips for Buying a Frigibar Marine Refrigeration System or Freezer

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ensign-open-mibs-2012For over forty years, Frigibar, based out of Miami, has manufactured the best in marine refrigeration to become beloved fixtures of boats and yachts traveling around the world. While we don’t have a retail storefront, we make it easy to get your hands on a Frigibar.

Frigibar freezer and refrigerator systems are available through Frigibar directly or one of our authorized retail partners and distributors, who can offer the same great price and quality you’ll get directly from us. Each freezer with the Frigibar logo will be of the highest quality, rust-free fiberglass construction, and handcrafted in Miami, Florida.

When considering purchasing a quality Frigibar marine refrigeration system, here are several tips to make the process as enjoyable and easy as possible:

  • Experience the Difference

Seeing and feeling a Frigibar in person is a great way to understand why they’re unique and trusted by captains and crews everywhere.

Frigibar exhibits at boat shows around the world, primarily in Florida, to meet with customers, captains, crews, boating enthusiasts and others and to display our units. In 2015-2016, Frigibar exhibited at the Miami International Boat Show, Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Refit International, METSTRADE, the Stuart Boat Show, the Bay Bridge Boat Show in Annapolis, MD, the New England Boat Show in Boston, MA, and the Newport International Boat Show.

We’d love to meet you and have you experience a Frigibar in person. Follow the Frigibar Blog to see what events we will be exhibiting at.

  • Visit a Frigibar Partner

Frigibar works with partners around the world. These partners allow us to showcase our products for customers at local and international boat shows, retail locations, captain’s lounges and more. Partners include SailorSams, Whiticar Boat Works, Yacht Equipment and Parts and Ultra Marine.

To see if there is a Frigibar partner in your area or an available unit to view or purchase, please contact us today.

In addition, while they may not have Frigibar units on display, your boat builder, refit yard, chandlery, project manager, or marine refrigeration service provider is also available to assist you in purchasing your unit.

  • Know Your Size and Style

Depending on the size of the space you have available on your boat and your style preferences, Frigibar manufactures 15 sizes in two different categories that all offer something unique. We have both chest and bench style freezers with varying dimensions and storage capacity.

To determine the size of the space you have available, view our Marine Refrigeration Fit Guide. View Frigibar’s full online product catalog here.

  • Custom Builds

You have an unlimited number of options when working with Frigibar. If you prefer something truly one-of-a-kind or your available space does not work with one of our best-selling freezers, we can custom build a unit just for your boat. Contact us for specifics.

  • Explore Custom Options

Custom builds aren’t the only way to both have the best marine freezer on your boat and have something no one else has. We have many custom options available to make your Frigibar your own.

Custom options include ‘Dual Control’ option (use as a freezer or refrigerator), 3-inch and 1-1/2” thick Snap-On marine cushions to allow your freezer to double as a seating option, custom gel coat colors, condensing unit orientation, and more. If you have a specific want or need that isn’t listed, please contact us.

  • Planning Your Order

While we keep some of our most popular sizes in stock, keep in mind that due to our many customization options, many units are built to order. Please allow enough time to order your Frigibar for that important trip or boat delivery. Contact Frigibar or one of our marine partners to find out current availability and time-frame for the unit you are interested in.

  • Call and Ask

We pride ourselves on truly looking out for your best interests, even if that means recommending a competitor’s solution. If you have a “go-to” person or company that handles all your vessel’s needs, we will be happy to help them assist you with your purchase. Read more about our approach to customer service here.

Please call us today for more information and to ask us any and all questions you may have: 305-757-7697.

Connect with Frigibar on social media! We provide regular updates, news, images, and more on our Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts.

 

 

Frigibar Featured in Yachting Pages Marine Refrigeration Guide Article

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Frigibar and President Shuly Oletzky were recently featured in Yachting Pages article, “Taking care of your marine refrigeration systems.” The guide, written by Luke Wheeler, covers how to avoid the most common yacht refrigeration problems, the importance of servicing systems regularly, and quick marine refrigerator maintenance tips for captains and crews. As Luke points out in the guide along with information from Oletzky, marine refrigeration is one of the most overlooked aspects of yachting.

Luke Wheeler:

“Of all the essential products we use in our lives every day, the refrigerator is one that often gets taken for granted. Being able to go and grab some cold milk for a bowl of cereal isn’t normally something we consider a particular luxury – but when you’re dealing with a broken-down fridge, it quickly becomes one.

The ability to store chilled and frozen goods aboard a superyacht isn’t quite as simple as fitting the same kind of fridge-freezer you’d have in your kitchen at home. In fact, marine refrigeration is quite a specialised field.”

Yachting Pages

Yachting Pages is the world’s leading superyacht directory. Their directories, reviews and guides are trusted around the world by boating enthusiasts, captains, crews, and the entire marine industry.

Read the full article by Luke Wheeler on Yachting-Pages.com here. View Frigibar’s official Yachting Pages page here at: http://www.yachting-pages.com/hvac-refrigeration/frigibar/ms.html.   

Have questions about marine refrigeration? Ask Shuly Oletzky directly by contacting Frigibar at info@Frigibar.com.

 

2016 Miami International Boat Show Experience Recap: Frigibar Industries

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The 75th Miami International Boat Show is over, but we’ll be enjoying the experiences, connections, and memories from the show for years to come. This year’s show, which took place February 11-15, marked the 50th year Frigibar took part in the event as an exhibitor. According to the Miami Herald, over 1,200 new boats were on display and over 100,000 attendees were expected for the five-day show.

Frigibar was in Booth 554 in Tent C, right next to Brownie’s Yacht Diver. “They were great booth neighbors and brought a crowd to the area,” said Oletzky.

Brownie's Yacht Diver Booth

On the Friday of the show, the Tito’s Handmade Vodka Fishing Team stopped by the Frigibar booth to host a small reception to raise money for their charity, Southern Fishing Charities. What was planned to be an hour and a half gathering lasted over three hours and turned into a highlight of the show for many. The reception received a surprise visit from NMMA President Thom Dammrich, Outdoor Channel reality star Carter Andrews of The Obsession of Carter Andrews, and many others. The event raised $500 for the charity and was something exhibitors and attendees talked about for days afterward.

Liquid Fire Fishing Team

The Liquid Fire Fishing Team and Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky

The booth also got a visit from the red-hot Liquid Fire Fishing Team. The team was recently named the sports story of the year by the Tideland News. Read more about Liquid Fire and their great team in our interview with team captain Mark Henderson.

“This was a spectacular event, and we’re glad we were able to be a part of it. It’s hard to imagine all of the hard work that was done behind the scenes to pull this off just 16 months after it was first announced that the event would be coming to Miami Marine Stadium,” said Oletzky. The stadium was last used in 1992 and was renovated to bring the Miami Boat Show to the venue for its first event in over 20 years.

The venue did not disappoint. “My favorite aspect of this year’s show is that we were actually on the water! It felt like a real Florida boat show where everyone could enjoy the beautiful views of the beach, and the boats were in the water. It was something missing from previous shows and it added a special element to this year’s show,” said Oletzky.

There were many other firsts experienced by attendees and exhibitors at this year’s show. Organizers invested in free land and water shuttle services for attendees and there were over 10,000 available parking spaces. “There was a relaxed feel to the whole event even with it being so busy. The show was easy to navigate, there were tons of food options, and the NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) staff was working directly with exhibitors and attendees to quickly help when any help was needed. The show got better each day,” said Oletzky.

During a pre-event interview on AM 880 The Biz, which aired Tuesday, February 9, Cathy Rick-Joule, NMMA Vice President of the Miami Boat Show said, “We believe we’ve found the future home of the boat show for many, many, many years to come at Miami Marine Stadium Park and Basin.” We’re excited to see how the show takes advantage of the great space and location Miami Marine Stadium provides.

NMMA Vice President Cathy Rick-Joule announced her retirement at the show. “Cathy means so much to me and is the reason I’m so involved in the show. She’s caring and thoughtful, and really helped in my transition to President of Frigibar and making sure our family-owned business would still be involved in the Miami Show, there are no words to express my gratitude for her guidance and friendship over the years.” said Oletzky. Rick-Joule will provide guidance in a consulting role to ensure a smooth transition going forward. Frigibar would like to thank Rick-Joule for her support and amazing work with the NMMA and Progressive Insurance Miami International Boat Show.

Next up, Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky will be visiting the 31st Annual Palm Beach International Boat Show (March 17-20). After exhibiting for the five-day Miami show, Shuly will be able to speak with exhibitors and attendees at the show as an attendee herself. “The Palm Beach Show is such a fun show and will be a great time. It’s always great to exhibit at a show, but this will be a refreshing opportunity to get out from behind the booth and network with all of the exhibitors and see the whole show,” said Oletzky.

“If you didn’t get a chance to come this year, come next year (to the Miami Beach International Boat Show). It’s only going to get better,” said Oletzky to end our post-event interview. Dates for the 2017 Miami International Boat Show have not yet been released. Follow the show on Facebook for updates and news.

About Frigibar Industries, Inc.

Frigibar Industries, Inc. is one of the longest established manufacturers of marine refrigeration. Frigibar was started in 1971 by Founder and President Sheldon Oletzky, a twenty-one year veteran of the United States Navy and experienced aerospace engineer. In 2011, Sheldon’s daughter Shuly Oletzky took on the role of CEO and President of Frigibar and strives to grow the company’s legacy of providing the best in marine refrigeration. These freezers have taken on a secondary meaning; on-deck fiberglass freezers are referred to by boat builders and owners worldwide as Frigibars. Frigibar provides hand-crafted, marine refrigeration systems of the highest quality.

Follow Frigibar on Twitter, Instagram, and like our Facebook page to keep updated throughout the year and see what we’re up to.

Frigibar Exhibiting at Refit International 2016 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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The Refit International Exhibition and Conference, taking place January 28-29 in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, is a new trade event from Professional BoatBuilder Magazine. The show will start a day after the International Marina and Boatyard Conference, also held in Ft. Lauderdale.

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Refitting is the process of updating a used boat or yacht to fit the wants and needs of current or future owners. Refitting can include repairing, restoring, mending, and completely renovating a vessel. The Refit International Exhibition and Conference was created to share ideas, information and resources on boat refitting.

The two-day event runs concurrently with an exhibition area, which will include marine refrigeration manufacturer Frigibar Industries, Inc. and is free to attend. The exhibitors will give attendees, including boat builders and enthusiasts, an opportunity to meet with many companies that can help them with projects and restoration. “We want to make sure boat yards and boat builders know that we have products and services that can help them during the refit. We can do custom jobs for refits as well,” says Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky.

Manufacturing marine refrigeration products in Miami, Florida for over fifty years, many boats and yachts around the world proudly utilize Frigibar cockpit freezers, deck boxes, and more, many of which several decades old. Frigibar will discuss how to properly care for units, restore and fix them with the crews and builders at the show. “There are a lot of boatyards in the area that might not be aware that we do more than aftermarket products. We can help them to design and build a custom solution,” says Oletzky.

Not having a retail space, boat shows provide an excellent opportunity for builders and boat owners to meet with Shuly Oletzky and experience Frigibar freezers and refrigerators in person. “I love meeting boat owners and builders to network with and learn about their vessels,” says Oletzky, who learned about the event from US Superyacht Association (USSA) Association Manager Kitty McGowan. Shuly continued, “we invite attendees to come and visit us at Booth 229, and are really looking forward to the show!”

Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like our Facebook page to keep updated throughout the year and see what we’re up to.

Happy New Year from Frigibar Industries, Inc.!

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Happy New Year! I want to thank you so much for being part of our business. Whether you’re a customer, partner, employee, friend, or just like to read our blog, I want to personally thank you on behalf of our family. Since taking over the business from my father Sheldon Oletzky in late 2010, I’ve been overwhelmed by the help and patronage both the business and our team has received. We would not be where we are today without your support. Heading into our 45th year, we look forward to serving you in the New Year and beyond to the high level of service and quality expected from the Frigibar brand.
2015 was an exciting and rewarding year for the Frigibar team. We love receiving annual family letters at the end of each year, so we decided to do one and share with you; where we have been this year, what we are doing, to thank you for your continued support, and to let you know why we’re so excited about 2016.

2015 Highlights

Boat Shows

Frigibar Booth at MIBS 2016

Frigibar at MIBS 2016

Since our family began this journey over forty years ago, boat shows have played a very important part in our business. Shows give us a chance to interact in-person with customers and partners, and give others the opportunity to see and touch our products. In 2015, we exhibited at five shows, including:

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Outside of the shows we were able to physically participate in, due to our partnerships with other companies, Frigibar units were displayed at several additional shows, including the Palm Beach International Boat Show, New England Boat Show in Boston, Providence Boat Show, and the Bay Bridge Boat Show in Annapolis, Maryland.

Featured in…

2015 was a great year for spreading our message and products throughout the industry and beyond in publications and advertisements. We were featured in Southern Boating Magazine with an advertisement and product feature. You can also find us online and in the upcoming print version of Yachting Pages.

We have shared our insight about relevant business topics on the Huffington Post Business Blog thanks to our involvement with the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, which I completed last year. We have published three articles aimed at providing actionable advice for entrepreneurs. We enjoyed writing these articles and were thrilled to see one of them re-published on The Hartford’s website. Additional articles are in the works for next year. If you are interested in contributing, I welcome you to email our content manager, Michael Luchies at content@frigibar.com. Here are the three published articles from this year:

Frigibar Blog

We’ve designed our blog to provide you with relevant information on topics that add value to our readers. All in the past year, we’ve featured industry experts, fishing teams, boat-builders, yacht brokers, event directors, and several of our partners. At the urging of our team, I even discussed my passion for boat shows. We’d love if you took a look at our blog and read a couple of the articles we created just for you. If there is a topic that is of interest and you would like to learn more about, email us at content@frigibar.com and we will work on providing it.

Partnerships

2015 saw several new partnerships, including working with Yacht Equipment & Parts, and Whiticar Boat Works in Stuart, Florida to showcase Frigibar units. We also expanded our presence in the Northeast through our relationship with Island and Harbor Sales. For partnership inquiries, please contact us at info@frigibar.com.

Fishing Teams

We are so proud of our 2 spectacular fishing teams that we sponsored this year. Team Tito’s Fishing Team helped us start the year off right, hosting a special Tito’s Vodka tasting reception at our booth at the Miami International Boat show. The team had tremendous success with their Memorial Day family event and fishing tournament “The Downtown Showdown KDW” in West Palm Beach, Florida, which resulted in a 5-figure donation to Lauren’s Kids. Mark your calendars for May 20-21, 2016 for their 2nd Annual event and we will see you there!

Liquid Fire Fishing Team

The Liquid Fire Fishing Team and Frigibar President Shuly Oletzky

Liquid Fire Fishing Team received their custom Frigibar dunnage box for their Intrepid Powerboats 375 Center Console and traveled a good part of the year to numerous tournaments and events. Liquid Fire also spent a good portion of their time sharing knowledge through their fishing schools held around the country and you can see their upcoming schedule here. They had a fantastic finish to the year earning 1st Place in the Swansboro Five-0 King Mackerel Tournament and 3rd Place in the US Open King Mackerel Tournament. Read our interview with team captain Mark Henderson.

Why We’re Excited About 2016!

We have a lot of things to be thankful for and many opportunities to pursue in the New Year. Here are three of the things we’re looking forward to in 2016:

  • Expansion of online product availability
  • Partner acquisition and forming new relationships along with expanding existing partnerships Nationally and Internationally
  • New product development

Where we will be in the 1st Quarter of 2016

With any of our events, feel free to contact us ahead of time if you would like to schedule a time to meet with us or just stop on by. You can keep tabs on where we will be by visiting our events page which is updated with our upcoming event schedule and overviews of the fun stuff we do.

Thank you for an amazing 2015. We welcome you to follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and like our Facebook page to keep updated throughout the year and see what we’re up to.

Our mailing address has changed, so please make sure to update your records: Frigibar Industries, Inc. 3324 NW South River Drive, Miami, Florida 33142.

Wishing you a very Happy, Healthy & Prosperous New Year from our family to yours!

  • Shuly Oletzky, Frigibar President & the Frigibar Family