Customer pointing at products in a glass door commercial fridge

October 10, 2026

Commercial Fridge Mistakes to Avoid When Buying and Using One

Most problems with commercial fridges come from a handful of avoidable mistakes. Some happen when you're buying, like the wrong size, the wrong type or a fridge that isn't rated for your room. Others happen every day, like overloading, hot food going straight in, or a condenser nobody has cleaned in a year. Here are the most common ones and how to avoid them.

Mistakes when buying a commercial fridge

1. Sizing for an average day

A fridge that copes on a quiet Tuesday can be overflowing on a Saturday night or the week before Christmas. When it's overpacked, air can't move and food doesn't stay cold. Work out your storage on your busiest day, then allow a little room to grow.

2. Choosing the wrong type for the job

Glass doors out the back. Glass door display fridges cost more to run than solid door storage fridges. If customers won't see it, solid doors make more sense.
An open-front display where doors would work. Open multidecks are easy to shop from but use far more power. A glass door multideck can cost a fraction as much to run.
An underbench fridge where you need an upright. Underbench fridges are great for working storage, but they're no substitute for bulk storage.

Our guide to commercial fridge running costs shows how big these differences can be.

3. Ignoring the room temperature rating

Every commercial fridge is designed for a maximum room temperature. A fridge rated for 32°C will struggle beside a hot cooking line or in a shop with afternoon sun. Check the rating against the hottest your space gets. See where to put a commercial fridge for more.

4. Not measuring the space and the way in

Measure the space itself, plus the clearance the manual needs, the door swing, and every doorway, corridor and corner on the way in. Our fridges are delivered by tailgate truck to the front of your premises, so plan how the fridge will get inside.

5. Forgetting about power

Most of our fridges plug into a standard 10 amp power point, but some larger equipment needs a 15 amp outlet. Check the product page before you order, and plug fridges straight into the wall, not into extension leads or double adaptors.

6. Using a domestic fridge in a business

Home fridges aren't built for doors opening all day, hot kitchens or the temperatures food businesses must hold. They often can't keep up. Domestic warranties may not cover commercial use either.

7. Choosing on purchase price alone

A fridge runs every hour of every day for years, so running costs, the warranty and build quality matter as much as the price tag. Compare models with our running cost calculator.

Mistakes when using a commercial fridge

8. Putting it in the wrong spot

Next to the fryer, boxed in under a bench with no ventilation, or in direct sun. Placement is one of the biggest factors in how hard a fridge works and how long it lasts.

9. Overloading it and blocking the vents

Cold air has to move around the food. Packing shelves solid or stacking stock against the fan leaves warm spots, even when the display reads the right temperature.

10. Putting hot food straight in

Large pots of hot food warm up everything around them and make the fridge work flat out. Cooked food must cool from 60°C to 21°C within 2 hours, then to 5°C within a further 4 hours. Use shallow containers or a blast chiller to get it there.

11. Getting the temperature wrong

Cold food must be kept at 5°C or colder. Setting a fridge much colder than it needs to be wastes power and can freeze food near the fan. Check with a thermometer rather than trusting the display alone.

12. Propping the doors open

Doors left open while restocking or during service let warm, moist air flood in. That causes frost, condensation and temperature swings. Restock in batches and keep doors shut.

13. Never cleaning the condenser

A clogged condenser is one of the most common reasons a fridge struggles, costs more to run and breaks down. Clean it regularly. Some warranties require it. See how to clean a commercial fridge.

14. Ignoring early warning signs

New noises, ice building up, water on the floor, a fridge that runs all the time or a creeping power bill are all early signs. Deal with them before they become a breakdown. Our fridge not cooling guide explains what each sign usually means.

15. Attempting repairs yourself

Cleaning, checking seals and keeping vents clear are owner jobs. Anything involving refrigerant, electrical parts, compressors or fans needs a licensed refrigeration technician. In Australia, refrigerant work requires a licence.

Need a hand choosing?

If you're not sure which size or type suits your business, browse our upright fridges, underbench fridges and multideck display fridges, or ask us. Tell us what you need to store, the space you have and how hot it gets, and we'll help you compare models.