Deli Display Fridges

What is a deli display fridge?

A deli display fridge, also called a deli case or serve-over counter, is a refrigerated counter that shows food to customers while keeping it cold. Staff serve from behind, so the customer side is glass and the staff side has open, sliding or hinged access. Many models also have refrigerated storage at the back for back-up stock. Delis, butchers, fishmongers, sushi bars, cheese shops, supermarkets and cafes use them for sliced meats, cheese, salads, antipasto, fresh meat and seafood.

Types of deli display fridge

• Square glass serve-over: a flat-fronted glass canopy with a modern, squared-off look. Lift-up or opening front glass makes loading and cleaning easier.
• Curved glass serve-over: the traditional rounded deli front. Some makers build curved and square versions in the same widths with the same cooling and storage, so the choice comes down to the look of your shopfront.
• Meat and seafood cases: angled front glass, three display levels and a temperature range that goes down to -1°C for fresh meat and seafood.
• Dual-access cases: sliding glass doors at the front as well as sliding doors at the back, so the case opens from both sides.
• Open self-serve displays: no front glass, so shoppers help themselves to pre-packed meat, cheese and ready meals.
• Sushi displays: glass cabinets with static cooling, so sushi isn't dried out by moving air.

How to choose a deli display fridge

• Width: our deli displays run from 900mm to 2580mm wide. Measure the counter run, and allow room at each end for staff to move and for air to circulate.
• Depth and access: serve-over cases are deep, from 700mm to 1115mm in our range, and every one weighs 150 kg or more. Models with hinged rear doors also need room behind for the doors to swing. Check the packed size on the product page against your doorways and corridors.
• Temperature range: chilled food must be kept at 5°C or colder. For fresh meat and seafood, choose a case that runs down to -1°C. Cases rated 0°C to +5°C suit deli lines, cheese, sushi and pre-packed food.
• Static or fan-forced cooling: static (gravity coil) cooling moves less air across the food, which helps unwrapped meat, seafood and sushi hold their moisture. Fan-forced cooling spreads cold air quickly and evenly and recovers faster after the case is opened. Our guide to fan-forced and static cooling explains the difference.
• Room conditions: a deli case is only as good as the room it sits in. Most of our range is rated for rooms up to 25°C, and most of the meat and seafood cases for 30°C at 55% humidity. Put the case in an air-conditioned shop, away from ovens, fryers, open doorways and direct sun.
• Back-up storage: many serve-over models have refrigerated storage at the back, so staff can restock without leaving the counter.
• Power and drainage: every deli display in our range is self-contained and plugs into a standard 10 amp power point. Check the product page for drainage: some models need extra drainage in humid shops, while others need no plumbing at all.
• Running costs: where makers publish energy figures, compare them. A 1330mm serve-over case in our range uses 6.1 kWh per 24 hours and a 2580mm case 11.6 kWh. Our running costs guide shows how to turn that into dollars.

Our range

• Square and curved glass deli displays: Bromic DD models in square or curved glass, 1330, 1955 and 2580mm wide (351 to 703 litres, -1°C to +10°C), with hydraulic lift-up front glass, fan-forced cooling, R290 refrigerant and refrigerated rear storage behind hinged doors. FED Thermaster ST models, 1580, 1955 and 2580mm wide, with a black frameless square glass canopy, fan cooling and 0°C to +5°C.
• Meat and seafood displays: Bonvue AMS models, 1223, 1523, 1823 and 2123mm wide (768 to 1,443 litres gross, -1°C to +5°C), with angled front glass, three display levels and refrigerated storage at the back. The DD versions add sliding glass doors at the front for dual access.
• Open self-serve displays: FED Thermaster STB models from 1340mm to about 2580mm wide, with fan-forced cooling and 0°C to +5°C, for pre-packed meat and deli lines.
• Sushi display: the Bonvue SSD090-2XB, a 900mm square glass cabinet with static cooling, two sliding doors and 0°C to +5°C.

Looking after a deli display

• Let the case reach temperature before you load it, and load food that is already cold. A display case keeps food cold; it isn't designed to chill warm product.
• Keep food within the load lines and clear of the air grilles so cold air can circulate.
• Check the display temperature with a probe thermometer at least daily and keep a record.
• Clean the glass, trays and drain regularly, and keep the condenser free of dust. Our fridge cleaning guide has a step-by-step routine.
• Keep the shop's air-conditioning running in hot weather, and close the rear doors fully after restocking.

Delivery and our price-beat guarantee

We deliver Australia-wide by tailgate truck to the front of your premises. Deli displays are large, heavy units, so check the path from the truck to your counter and arrange help to move the case inside; standard delivery doesn't include carrying it in or unpacking. 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.

Deli display FAQs

What temperature should a deli display run at?

Keep chilled food at 5°C or colder. Fresh meat and seafood are usually displayed at the colder end, which is why the meat and seafood cases in our range go down to -1°C. Set the case to suit what you sell and check it every day.

Square or curved glass: which is better?

It is mostly a question of looks. Square glass gives a modern, squared-off counter line, and curved glass is the traditional deli look. Where a maker offers both in the same size, the cooling, capacity and storage are the same.

Can I display seafood on ice?

Ask us before you order. Some makers offer a seafood tray for their cases; FED offers a stainless steel seafood tray for the Thermaster ST range on request.

Do deli displays need a drain or plumbing?

It depends on the model. The Bonvue meat and seafood cases are self-contained and need no plumbing. The FED Thermaster ST range has self-evaporating drainage, but FED says high-humidity areas need additional drainage. Each product page lists what the maker specifies.

Will a deli display fit through my door?

Compare the packed size on the product page with your doorways. Our deli displays are 700mm to 1115mm deep before packing and weigh 150 kg or more, so plan the route and the people to move it.

What warranty applies?

It depends on the brand. Bromic deli displays have Bromic's 5-year Extra Care warranty, covering parts and labour. FED Thermaster and Bonvue models have FED's 1 year parts and labour warranty, and FED adds an extra year on parts for some models when you register them within 14 days of invoice. Each product page shows the warranty for that model.

Related categories

• Cake & Sandwich Display Fridges
• Multideck Display Fridges
• Meat Ageing Cabinets
• Countertop Displays
• Hot Food Displays