Why choose a commercial chest freezer?
A chest freezer opens from the top, so cold air stays inside when the lid is lifted instead of spilling out onto the floor. That makes chest freezers very efficient for long-term bulk storage, and they hold more stock for the price than any other type of freezer. They are the go-to choice for butchers, seafood shops, takeaways and any business that buys frozen goods in bulk.
How to choose a chest freezer
Solid lid or glass sliding lid?
Solid lid chest freezers, like the Thermaster BD466F, BD598F and BD768F with stainless steel lids and the Atosa BD range, are built for storage. Glass sliding lid chest freezers, like the Thermaster WD-200F to WD-620F, let customers see the stock without opening the lid, which makes them perfect for selling ice cream, ice and frozen meals in shops and service stations. The ICS Pacific Nova range comes with your choice of glass or solid sliding lids.
Capacity
Our chest freezers range from around 200 litres for counters and small shops up to 768 litres for serious bulk storage. Think about how often you take delivery: if you buy weekly in bulk, go bigger.
Temperature
Commercial chest freezers typically run between -18°C and -22°C, keeping stock hard frozen. -18°C is the standard target for frozen storage.
Organisation
The one downside of a chest freezer is digging for items at the bottom. Several of our models come with storage baskets, the ICS Pacific Nova freezers can be fitted out with tub frames or baskets when you order, and labelling stock by type and date makes rotation much easier.
Chest freezer vs upright freezer
A chest freezer holds more for the money and loses less cold when opened, but takes up more floor space and is harder to organise. An upright freezer fits more into a small footprint and puts everything at eye level, which suits stock you use every day.
Installation and care
Leave clear space around the freezer for ventilation, keep it out of direct sunlight, and follow the manual on how long to let it stand before switching it on. Defrost when ice builds up on the walls, as thick ice reduces capacity and efficiency. Keep the lid seals clean so the lid closes firmly.
Our chest freezer range
- Thermaster: BD stainless steel lid chest freezers (466, 598 and 768 litres) and WD glass sliding lid display chest freezers from 200 to 620 litres.
- Atosa: BD-550, BD-650 and BD-850 solid door chest freezers.
- ICS Pacific: Danish-made Nova 2 to Nova 6 chest freezers (205 to 602 litres) with glass or solid sliding lids and a 5 year warranty, sold empty so you can add 5 litre or 10 litre tub frames or baskets, plus Nova Scooping freezers with a sneezeguard for scooping ice cream.
Delivery, warranty and our price-beat guarantee
We deliver Australia-wide by tailgate truck, usually within 2 to 5 business days to Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Adelaide and 4 to 12 days elsewhere. Every freezer comes with the manufacturer's warranty, and prices are shown ex GST with the GST-inclusive price alongside. Found a lower price? Send us the link under our Price-Beat Guarantee and we'll send you a one-off discount code.
Chest freezer FAQs
What temperature should a commercial chest freezer be?
Around -18°C or colder. Our chest freezers typically run between -18°C and -22°C.
Is a chest freezer more efficient than an upright?
Generally yes, because cold air stays in the chest when the lid is opened. Uprights are more convenient for stock you access many times a day.
Can I sell ice cream from a chest freezer?
Yes. Glass sliding lid models like the Thermaster WD range and the ICS Pacific Nova are designed for displaying packaged ice cream and frozen goods, and the Nova Scooping freezers are made for scooping. For gelato display cabinets, see our Ice Cream & Gelato Display Freezers.
Do you deliver Australia-wide?
Yes. We deliver to every state by tailgate truck. Standard delivery is to your door.