When we started our first hospitality business, we thought all fridges were the same. As long as they kept food cold, what else mattered? But we quickly learned that one size doesn’t fit all in commercial kitchens, especially when summer hits.
Choosing the right commercial fridge or freezer is crucial for any catering business. It's not just about keeping food cold. It's about being efficient, reliable, and meeting your specific needs. With warmer months approaching, now is the perfect time to assess your refrigeration needs and make sure your equipment is ready.
Why it’s worth thinking about now
In the spring and summer, your refrigeration works harder. The kitchen heats up. You’re storing more fresh stock. There’s often an increase in demand, especially if you’re running a café, takeaway, or food van. The last thing you want is a fridge or freezer that can’t cope.
We’ve helped plenty of businesses upgrade their refrigeration ahead of the summer season, and what they all say after is the same, “We should have done this sooner.”
What kind of commercial refrigeration do you actually need?
This depends on the size of your business, your kitchen layout, and how your team works day to day. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you figure out what might work best:
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Upright fridge or freezer
Great if you’ve got the space and need to store a large volume of chilled or frozen goods. Popular with busy restaurants and hotels. -
Undercounter fridge or freezer
Ideal for smaller kitchens or as an extra unit for essentials. Handy in cafés, food vans, or prep areas where space is tight. -
Counter fridge or freezer
These double up as prep space and chilled storage. They're available with drawers or doors, and some models come with openings for chilled toppings, keeping everything within easy reach during service. -
Display fridge
Mainly used front-of-house for cold drinks, desserts, or grab-and-go items. These help you keep things cold while also boosting customer interest.
If you're not sure what you need, think about what frustrates you with your current setup. Is there always a queue to get in the fridge? Is frozen food hard to access? That will usually point you in the right direction.
What to look out for
There’s no one-size-fits-all, but these points can help you avoid issues later on:
- Capacity – Think about your busiest days. Do you have enough storage space when you’re fully stocked? Consider if one of your fridges or freezers broke down, would you have the spare capacity to not lose your stock?
- Size and shape – Measure everything. That includes doorways, steps, or corners the fridge or freezer has to pass through. No one wants delivery day surprises (we’ve had many!).
- Motor location – In very hot kitchens, a top-mounted motor can struggle. Bottom-mounted motors cope better in high temperatures, so that’s something to keep in mind.
- Energy use – A more efficient fridge or freezer might cost more at the start but can save money long term.
- Temperature control – Commercial refrigeration should keep a steady, reliable temperature. They have digital controls and temperature displays which are helpful.
- Cross-contamination – Raw meat, fish, and ready-to-eat food must be stored separately. Make sure your fridge or freezer layout makes this easy to manage.
Mistakes we often see
After years in the industry, here are a few things we see businesses get caught out by:
- Buying too small – You’ll end up cramming items in or running out of space right when you need it most.
- Not thinking about layout – A huge upright unit in the wrong place can slow down your team and cause a lot of unnecessary stress.
- Ignoring maintenance needs – We’d recommend fridges and freezers are regularly serviced for reliable year-round use. Ensure the engineer has clear access to carry out this maintenance of critical parts.
- Forgetting about access – Stairs, narrow corridors, and tight corners can all cause problems. Measure the route, not just the kitchen.
How we can help
If you’re not sure what type of commercial fridge or freezer suits your setup, we can help. We stock a wide range of commercial refrigeration and have plenty of experience helping cafés, restaurants, hotels, and takeaways find the right solution.
We’re a family-run business and we’ve worked with kitchens of all shapes and sizes. We'll always offer honest, personalised advice to find you the perfect fridge or freezer for your specific needs.
Final tip
Before you buy, stand in your kitchen and think about how your team actually works. Where do they move most? What do they reach for? What’s always in the way? A well-placed fridge or freezer that fits the way you work can make a real difference.
Need help choosing the right commercial fridge, freezer, or full refrigeration setup? Browse our range here or get in touch with our team. We're always happy to help.
Richard and Norman