Why a plate freezing rack is needed

Stacking plates can leave the freezer's job half done. A rack keeps an air gap between plates so cold air reaches every plate, which makes the number of ready plates per day plannable.

25 January 2025Updated 28 September 2026

Short answer

GEBHARDT requires eutectic plates to be completely frozen before use and asks for an air gap between plates to get there; the freezing rack provides that gap. There are two models, for 72 and for 144 plates. How many plates are ready overnight depends on the number of racks and the freezing time.

If eutectic plates are stacked in the freezer, cold air cannot circulate between them. GEBHARDT requires the fill to be completely frozen before use and an air gap to remain between plates; freezing racks exist to provide that gap and are used in a cold room or a blast freezer.

The 72-plate rack 7027745 (860×600×1625 mm) and the 144-plate rack 6051186 (1165×985×1600 mm) are for 480×280 mm plates; a suitable rack can be requested for other plate sizes.

How many plates are ready overnight depends on the number of racks and the freezing time. The time varies between 8 and 24 hours with the cooling technology; for a -21 °C melting-point plate GEBHARDT recommends -26 °C and 24 hours, and in its FAQ example the plate freezes through in 19 hours. If 200 plates are needed overnight, three 72-plate racks or two 144-plate racks give the space. Measure real capacity by counting ready plates at the start and end of a shift.