Guide to Commercial Freezers

Types of Commercial Freezers

When choosing a commercial reach-in freezer for your establishment, it's important to consider the different types available to meet your specific needs. We outline the most popular types of commercial freezers, their benefits, and the businesses they're best suited for, so you can choose the best option for the type of restaurant you operate.

1. Reach-In Freezers

Reach-in freezers are distinguished by the easy access they provide to items and their large open shelves for organized storage and versatile configurations. Key differentiators include compressor placement (bottom- or top-mounted), door type (glass or solid), and the number of doors. These choices create alignment with different appliances and maximize kitchen productivity.

You can find reach-in freezers with anywhere from 1 to 8 doors and 1 to 3 sections, making it easy to select a unit that fits your kitchen space and storage requirements. Additionally, you can choose between glass or solid door types, left or right hinged doors, and bottom or top-mounted compressors, giving you the flexibility to customize your freezer to best suit your kitchen layout and workflow.

• Benefits: Compact, easy access to ingredients, maintains safe food temperature, and is energy-efficient
• Best Applications: Restaurants, convenience stores, bakeries, supermarkets, catering companies, and bakeries
• Capacities: 6 to 80 cu. ft.

2. Chest Freezers

Chest freezers are perfect for storing bulk and odd-shaped items such as meat, ice cream, and large food packages. Key differentiators are their horizontal layout, higher storage capacity, and strong cold retention in case of power loss. Their easy-to-clean finishes and secure lid locks set them apart from upright models, making them ideal for bulk storage needs.

Some chest freezers come equipped with interior baskets to help you organize your products efficiently. For added convenience, some models feature digital displays to facilitate easy monitoring. Look for chest freezers that are Energy Star qualified to find an energy efficient option. Additionally, some models come with high and low temperature alarms or low temperature alerts to ensure that your products remain safe and frozen. No matter which unit you choose, temperature control and thick insulation ensure that your items stay frozen at the optimal temperature.

• Benefits: Highly energy efficient, large item storage, cold retention in case of a power outage
• Best Applications: Convenience stores, catering companies, restaurants
• Capacities: 3 to 30 cu. ft.

3. Undercounter Freezers

Commercial undercounter freezers are designed to fit conveniently under work surfaces, making them ideal for kitchens with limited space. The added convenience of casters allows for easy mobility, while adjustable shelving provides flexibility in organizing your frozen goods. All the undercounter freezers we offer are NSF-certified, ensuring increased sanitation and compliance with food safety regulations. Depending on your specific requirements, you can opt for units with front-breathing compressors or side/rear-breathing compressors.

The selection of undercounter freezers includes both single and multi-door options, catering to different storage needs. The access types vary, with units available in configurations with doors, drawers, or a combination of both. Additionally, you can choose between solid door types and glass door types, depending on your preference. Some units offer field-reversible door hinges for maximum configuration flexibility. This means that you can easily adjust the door to open from the left or right, depending on the layout of your space.

• Benefits: Space-saving, easy access, efficient
• Best Applications: Food-prep stations, bars
• Sizes: 2 to 20 cu. ft.

4. Merchandising Freezers

Glass door merchandiser freezers are a versatile option for commercial establishments wanting to store and merchandise frozen items for sale. These freezers come in various models with single, double, triple, and even quadruple sections to accommodate your low- or high-volume storage needs. They offer a range of interior and exterior colors to match your aesthetic preferences, making them a stylish addition to your space. These freezers are ideal for a variety of commercial settings, including grocery stores, seafood joints, delis, and convenience stores.

One of the key features of glass door merchandiser freezers is the option for right and left hinge configurations, allowing you to choose the best setup for your workflow. These units often come equipped with special features such as electronic door locks and LED lighting, enhancing both security and visibility. Some models also feature self-closing doors or offer customizable options to suit your specific requirements. Many glass door merchandiser freezers are Energy Star-qualified units, providing energy efficiency and cost savings in the long run.

• Benefits: Drives impulse sales, increases product visibility, and improves product organization
• Best Applications: Convenience stores, supermarkets, cafes, ice cream shops, and restaurants
• Capacities: 2 to 154 cu. ft.

5. Countertop Freezers

Countertop freezers are a convenient and efficient way to merchandise your popular frozen grab-and-go items. These units are designed to attract customers' attention with features such as LED lighting and colorful displays that not only enhance product visibility but also help increase impulse sales. The glass construction of countertop freezers provides a clear view of the products inside, making it easier for customers to make their selections.

One of the key advantages of countertop freezers is their small footprint, making them ideal for stores where space is a concern. Despite their compact size, these freezers offer ample storage space for a variety of frozen items, including frozen entrees and ice cream. Many countertop freezers are customizable, allowing you to tailor the unit to suit your specific merchandising needs. Additionally, some models are Energy Star-qualified, ensuring energy efficiency and long-term cost savings.

• Benefits: Compact, drives impulse sales, increases product visibility, easy accessibility, and energy efficiency
• Best Applications: Convenience stores, cafes, ice cream shops, coffee shops, and restaurants
• Capacities: 1.7 to 6.52 cu. ft.

6. Walk-In Freezers

Walk-in freezers are essential for businesses that require extra cold storage space in their foodservice or industrial facilities. Our walk-in freezers come in indoor and outdoor units, providing flexibility in installation options. Self-contained units are convenient and easy to install, while remote units offer greater flexibility in placement and reduce noise levels in the workspace.

Our walk-in freezers are available in a variety of popular sizes, including 10' x 10' units. These units are large enough to accommodate bulk food boxes and walk-in shelving, making them ideal for businesses with high-volume storage needs. Choose one of our made-to-order walk-in freezers to tailor the freezer to your unique needs and make sure it can grow with your business.

• Benefits: Bulk frozen storage, customization, consistent temperature control, organization, and energy efficiency
• Best Applications: Restaurants, cafes, supermarkets, bakeries, food manufacturers, and hotels
• Capacities: 105 to 731 cu. ft.

7. Portable Freezers

Portable freezers ensure your products remain frozen and intact during transit to and from your facility. Portable freezers are a great addition for warehouses, catering businesses, food trucks, and other commercial settings where mobility is essential. Popular materials for portable freezers include polyethylene and steel, offering durability and reliability for long-term use. Whether you need to transport bagged ice, frozen ingredients, or other perishable items, a portable freezer is an ideal choice.

Many portable freezers come equipped with special features such as digital temperature controllers, lockability, and transport carts that enhance their functionality. With these features, you can easily monitor and adjust your freezer temperature, secure your frozen goods during transport, and avoid the hassle of melted ice. These freezers come in battery-powered or electric-powered models.

• Benefits: Keeps food, beverages, ice, or medicine frozen during transit or at outdoor catering events
• Best Applications: Catering, food or beverage distribution companies, event management agencies, healthcare
• Capacities: .35 to 285 cu. ft.