Your Guide to Finding the Best Commercial Refrigerator for Your Business

A commercial refrigerator is not only one of the most expensive appliances for a business, but one of the most critical. Whether you operate a bar, supermarket, restaurant, or some other business in the food service industry, you need reliable commercial refrigeration to keep things running smoothly. That’s why it’s important to do your homework before making a key purchase like this – and why we’ve designed this guide to help you research commercial refrigerators and find the best one for you.

Commercial grade refrigerators come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. You likely already have at least some idea of what sort of unit you need, but nevertheless here’s a rundown of the main options.

Display Refrigerators

A display refrigerator is the sort of unit you find at the deli, supermarket, and many restaurants. Because customers see and interact with these units, it’s important that they project the right image for your business – which often means that they should appear clean and modern.

Undercounter Refrigerators

An undercounter refrigerator maximizes space and often makes the job of serving customers more efficient. A bar refrigerator is often best placed under the counter (though many bars use display refrigerators instead, or in addition to, these units).

Large Industrial Units and Walk In Coolers

What many people probably think of when they hear “commercial refrigerator” is simply a large, industrial refrigerator kept backstage at a restaurant. Some of these units are simply larger versions of home refrigerators, while others are walk in coolers that are actually rooms inside (or outside) the business.

Assessing Your Needs

Before buying a commercial grade refrigerator for your business, there are some questions you need to ask yourself to ensure you make the best choice. Knowing the general type of refrigerator you need is only the first step. You also have to consider the following factors:

What sort of volume do I need? Obviously, having a commercial refrigerator large enough to manage customer needs is a top concern. At the same time, commercial refrigeration is expensive to maintain, so you don’t want to buy a unit larger than what you need.

How much space do I have? Your business requirements will determine the total amount of industrial refrigeration space you need. However, the space available in your business will likely determine what sorts of units you need, and where they go.

Will customers see and/or use the unit? Refrigerators that are only used behind the scenes are often quite basic. However, for refrigeration units that the customer sees and/or uses, appearance and ease-of-use are important.

Those are just a few of the issues. Your own business may have special requirements that may weigh as heavily as any of the factors listed here. Once you have a good handle on what you need, you can move on to evaluating commercial refrigerator models.

How Much Does a Commercial Grade Refrigerator Cost?

As with most major appliances, prices vary greatly depending on the type of fridge, its size, the brand, and the features it comes with. They run from a few hundred dollars for small display fridges, to a few thousand or more for large industrial models. The best thing to do is shop around.

Depending on your needs and budget, you may also want to consider buying a used commercial refrigerator, or even renting one. This can be a good option in many cases, though there are both pros and cons to buying used.