We've supplied flower fridges to florists across Australia since 2023, and our team has 20 years' industry experience. Not sure what you need? Call 0447 483 035 or email sales@refrigerationexperts.com.au.
Flower fridges compared
| Model | Doors | Litres | W x D x H (mm) | Max. room temp | Heated glass | Price inc GST | Price ex GST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crusader CCE605Flower | 1 | 430 | 605 x 665 x 2000 | 38°C | No | $2,534.40 | $2,304.00 |
| NovaChill SM600GFF | 1 | 590 | 685 x 800 x 2115 | 43°C | Yes | $3,062.40 | $2,784.00 |
| Crusader CCE700Flower | 1 | 600 | 700 x 790 x 2025 | 38°C | No | $3,514.50 | $3,195.00 |
| Crusader CCE1130Flower | 2 | 1,000 | 1130 x 720 x 2025 | 38°C | No | $3,459.50 | $3,145.00 |
| NovaChill SM1300GFF | 2 | 1,320 | 1382 x 800 x 2115 | 43°C | Yes | $3,987.50 | $3,625.00 |
| Crusader CCE1630Flower | 3 | 1,500 | 1710 x 720 x 2055 | 38°C | No | $4,824.60 | $4,386.00 |
| NovaChill SM2000GFF | 3 | 2,050 | 2079 x 800 x 2115 | 43°C | Yes | $5,857.50 | $5,325.00 |
All seven have 6 display levels per door, a stainless steel floor and a flower or plain white sign. All except the new CCE700Flower (details still being confirmed) also have fan-forced cooling, automatic defrost, LED lighting, lockable doors, castors and a 10 amp plug. Warranty: Crusader 1 year labour, 2 years parts, 3 years compressor; NovaChill 2 years labour, 4 years parts. Crusaders come in black or white (same price), with sliding doors listed as an option on the 2 and 3 door models (ask us).
Which size flower fridge do I need?
Measure the wall against the widths above, leaving a gap each side so the cabinet can shed heat, and check doorways, corners and ceilings. Allow for your busiest weeks, such as Mother's Day and Valentine's Day. Shelves on the NovaChill models and the Crusader CCE605Flower, CCE1130Flower and CCE1630Flower sit on metal clips. Those Crusader shelves measure 490 x 490mm in the one door, 500 x 560mm in the two door and 500 x 540mm (570 x 540mm in the centre) in the three door, which helps when you're working out how many buckets fit.
- One door: home studios, gift shops, cafés and garden centres with a flower stand.
- Two doors: a suburban florist with walk-in trade.
- Three doors: busy shops, supermarket floral departments and wholesalers.
If events fill the fridge only a few weeks a year, weigh one large cabinet against a main fridge plus a second single door, which lets you run two settings (ask us whether a model can hold the temperature you need). See our busy seasons guide.
How to choose a flower fridge
Keeping the glass clear
Cold glass fogs when warm, moist air meets it, hiding the flowers. NovaChill uses heated glass doors to stop this. The Crusader CCE605Flower, CCE1130Flower and CCE1630Flower have double-glazed doors with a fan that blows warm air over the glass to help stop condensation. It matters most on humid days, and it's about the view, not the flowers.
Room temperature rating
Crusader rates its flower models for rooms up to 38°C and NovaChill up to 43°C. These are the suppliers' upper limits, not a promise of equal performance; if your shop gets hot in summer, the higher limit gives more margin. Keep any fridge out of direct sun and away from heaters and air-con outlets, with vents clear.
Display, storage or both
A display fridge isn't built to pull warm stock down quickly, so don't load a big warm delivery at once. Flowers standing in water also keep opening even when cold, so bulk stock held more than a few days keeps best dry-packed, just above freezing, in a storage fridge or coolroom.
What temperature should a flower fridge be?
For everyday flowers such as roses, carnations and lilies, keep it cold and steady, but not right on 0°C. Postharvest research (the US Department of Agriculture's handbook, written by UC Davis researchers, and WA's agriculture department) puts most cut flowers at about 0 to 2°C in storage and florist coolers below 5°C. Cold rooms generally hold only within about 1°C of their setting, and some flowers freeze just below zero, so leave a margin.
Most flower fridges we supply are set at around 6 to 8°C, but every florist and location in Australia is different. If your fridge can hold a steady colder setting, most everyday flowers will last longer.
Tropicals such as anthuriums, heliconias and gingers are injured below about 10°C and are usually held around 12.5 to 15°C or warmer (anthuriums up to 20°C), so give them a warmer fridge or a spot outside one. Kangaroo paw is also cold-sensitive: research found 2 to 5°C relatively safe, with quality dropping below 2°C.
Our flower fridge controllers are adjustable (we're still confirming the CCE700Flower). The Crusader CCE605Flower, CCE1130Flower and CCE1630Flower can be set anywhere from 0°C to 16°C (supplier brochure), which covers everyday flowers and tropicals. For the NovaChill models, ask us. When you order, tell us what you stock and confirm the setting with us.
Humidity and airflow
- Hold the moisture in: keep the temperature steady and the doors shut as much as you can. Temperature swings put condensation on petals and make the fridge dry the air. Don't mist flowers in the fridge, because grey mould needs free water.
- Let air move: leave gaps between buckets and keep them off the vents, so air circulates without blasting the stems.
- Keep ethylene out: fruit, vegetables and damaged flowers give off ethylene, a gas that makes carnations, gypsophila, snapdragons and some roses age or drop petals early.
Our temperature and humidity guide covers loading and day-to-day care.
How much does a flower fridge cost?
Each model's current price, inc and ex GST, is in the table above, all below RRP. Freight is extra (see Delivery).
- Weekly payments: SilverChef Rent-Try-Buy is a 12-month rental at a fixed weekly rent (see "or rent from" on each fridge above); then you can buy, keep renting, upgrade or return it. Approval is by SilverChef; new businesses are welcome.
- Running costs: the supplier's brochure lists energy use per 24 hours as 2.45 kWh for the CCE605Flower, 4.40 kWh for the CCE1130Flower and 10.60 kWh for the CCE1630Flower. Enter the figure and your electricity rate in our running cost calculator. For the CCE700Flower and the NovaChill models, ask us.
- Found it cheaper? Send the link or quote under our Price-Beat Guarantee for a one-off discount code or an invoice at that price.
Delivery
- Freight: checkout holds up to $440 inc GST ($400 + GST) per fridge, or $660 inc GST ($600 + GST) for three doors. Within 20km of the Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide city centres we charge only the actual freight, often less, and release the rest. Elsewhere costs extra; we confirm it with you before dispatch.
- How it arrives: by tailgate truck to the front of your premises, not inside, up stairs or unpacked. Inside delivery can be arranged for an extra fee if you ask when ordering.
- How long: an estimated 2 to 5 business days to those four cities, 4 to 8 to Perth and Tasmania, and 4 to 12 elsewhere.
- On arrival: check it, note any damage when you sign, and send us photos straight away.
For a delivered price before you order, use our free quote form.
Flower fridge FAQs
Can I use a normal fridge for flowers?
For short-term holding, yes: most cut flowers do well in a fridge holding a steady temperature below 5°C, as long as tropicals and fruit or vegetables stay out. A home fridge won't fit buckets, and customers can't see in. A glass door drinks fridge is closer: our flower models match their makers' general display fridges in size and display levels. The main published differences are the flower sign option on NovaChill, and on Crusader the sign choice, plus a humidity fan control with a humidity gauge on all but the new CCE700Flower.
Is it a good idea to keep flowers in the fridge?
For most cut flowers, yes, except tropicals and kangaroo paw. In a UC Davis trial, snapdragons stored dry for five days at 0°C lasted as long in the vase as freshly cut stems, and about four days longer than those kept at 7.5°C. In a shop fridge, keep a margin above 0°C (see above).
Do your flower fridges control humidity?
The Crusader CCE605Flower, CCE1130Flower and CCE1630Flower have an evaporator fan speed control, which the supplier says is for extra humidity, and a humidity gauge so you can keep an eye on it. The NovaChill models and the CCE700Flower don't list a humidity control. Neither supplier gives a humidity range. For flowers in buckets it matters less than you might expect: very high humidity (90% or more) matters most for flowers stored out of water.
What are the smallest and largest florist fridges you sell?
The one door Crusader CCE605Flower (430 litres, 605mm wide) and the three door NovaChill SM2000GFF (2,050 litres, 2079mm wide). We don't currently sell an under-counter or countertop flower model.
Can I hire a flower fridge or buy a used one?
We sell flower fridges outright or on SilverChef Rent-Try-Buy (above). SilverChef also sells Certified Used equipment, which it says is refurbished with a three-month warranty; it's sold and supported by SilverChef, not us, and stock varies. See used equipment on our finance page.
Who handles warranty claims?
Warranty repairs are done by the manufacturer's authorised service agents. Our warranty page has each brand's claim contact; if you're unsure, email us your order number. NovaChill's warranty needs a monthly condenser clean to cover the condenser fan motor (see our flower fridge care guide).