A Guide to Commercial Freezers for Restaurants

As one of the most frequently used appliances in a professional kitchen, commercial freezers need to deliver consistent temperatures in hot conditions, even when the doors are constantly being opened and closed.

When choosing the right freezer for your professional kitchen, there are a number of factors to consider before making a purchase.

How much freezer storage is necessary for your operation? How much floor space do you have? Are your needs fully served by a regular freezer, or do you require a fridge-freezer combo? Do you prefer doors or drawers, upright or chest, under-counter, open deck, or prep?

Whew! There is a lot to choose from.

While it’s great to have choices, it can make it difficult to decide on the right fit for your business. To make it easier, Caterlink has put together a handy guide on the different kinds of freezers, so you can find the one best suited for your busy commercial kitchen. 

Different Types of Freezers for Professional Kitchens

Unlike the freezer you have at home, commercial freezers are far more powerful and built to handle the requirements of busy, high-volume kitchens. 

As one of the most frequently used appliances in a professional kitchen, commercial freezers need to deliver consistent temperatures in hot conditions, even when the doors are constantly being opened and closed.

First, let’s go over the two main types of freezer systems.

Commercial Freezers

A commercial freezer, much like the ones used domestically, is an insulated and temperature-controlled professional kitchen appliance that chills and freezes food products and keeps them frozen over a prolonged period of time. This operates in the same manner as a refrigerator, but with more rapid movement of refrigerant.

Blast Freezers

Sometimes referred to as flash freezers, these units quickly lower food temperature with a rapid cooling process that decreases the number of ice crystals that form and reduces cell damage, helping avoid excess moisture which can impact the taste and texture of food when defrosting. This is normally achieved by either blowing cold air, or sucking hot air, through the unit rapidly, as well as typical refrigerant systems.

This rapid freezing process also helps lock in nutrients and vitamins, and most importantly, greatly inhibits bacterial growth when chilling cooked food.

Different Forms of Commercial Freezers

Vertical | Upright Freezers

A great choice for space-conscious kitchens, upright freezers, sometimes called vertical freezers, offer the advantage of height with limited use of floor space. 

Also known as reach-in freezers, these units are configured with single or double doors, with some, like the Skope RF8 & RF7, offering a fridge and freezer side by side for added convenience.

A big selling point of upright freezers is how easily accessible they are, with the contents right there to be viewed or retrieved when you open the door. 

Chest Freezers

With its wide breadth, a chest freezer often offers much larger storage capacities. Ideal for larger kitchens with space to spare, these reach-in freezers allow the most efficient use of storage volume. Due to their lids opening upwards, chest freezers maintain their temperature much better than front-opening units, consuming less power.

One thing to keep in mind: chest freezer interiors may be outfitted with baskets, or simply be open, allowing items of different sizes and shapes to be stacked atop each other. This makes them a better choice for items that you won’t need quick access to on a regular basis.

Undercounter Freezers

As the name suggests, these compact horizontal units are designed to fit neatly under countertops and workspaces without taking up any additional floor space.

Offering greater flexibility than full-size freezers, these are a great addition to commercial kitchens that need maximum counter space, or already have counters with under-utilised space below.

These units come with an option of either doors or drawers, accommodating the needs and usage of different kitchens.

Counter Freezers

Unlike under-counter freezers, these units come with their own counter space built on top—making them a great choice for kitchens that need more workspace. 

Typically waist-high, these freezers come with stainless steel or marble worktops for easy meal prep or light storage. Durably designed and constructed, their counters can also hold small appliances that don’t generate much heat.

Counter freezers frequently come outfitted with doors, but drawer models are also available.

Tip buying commercial freezer

No matter what type of freezer you choose, remember that space between the unit and the wall is crucial for the ventilation system to work effectively.  

For most models, a 20cm gap is recommended. If there is a heat source nearby, more ventilation space should be considered. Be sure to consult the accompanying user manual for the most accurate and up-to-date information on what’s required for your unit.

Which is the best freezer for your kitchen?

Hopefully, this outline of the available options has made it easier to determine which kind of commercial freezer is best for your restaurant or business. If you have questions about freezers in general or specific models and features, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Caterlink’s commercial kitchen experts who are ready to assist you.