How to choose a commercial upright freezer
Solid door or glass door?
Solid door freezers are the most efficient way to store frozen stock out the back. Thick insulated doors hold the cold and keep running costs down. Glass door display freezers let customers see what is inside, which makes them the right choice for ice cream, frozen meals and frozen desserts in cafes, delis and convenience stores. The Atosa MCF showcase and NovaChill SM display freezers are built for exactly that.
How many doors and how much capacity?
Single door uprights usually hold around 550 to 600 litres and double door models around 1,000 to 1,200 litres. The Atosa JBF40FSGR, for example, is 654mm wide with 552 litres, while the double door JBF80FSGR is 1314mm wide with 1,090 litres. Triple door models like the Atosa MBF8003 and NovaChill SM2000GZ suit high-volume kitchens and retail. Four door (half door) models like the Skipio SFT45-4 let staff open a smaller door, which keeps more cold inside and the temperature steadier.
Temperature range
Commercial upright freezers typically run between -17°C and -22°C. Frozen food should stay hard frozen, and -18°C is the standard target for frozen storage. A freezer that pulls down quickly after the door is opened protects quality, so look for fan-forced cooling and a digital controller you can easily read.
Top-mounted or bottom-mounted compressor?
Top-mounted compressors stay clear of floor dust and grease, and their heat rises away from the cabinet, which suits hot, busy kitchens. Bottom-mounted compressors, like those on the NovaChill SM display freezers, raise the lowest shelf to a comfortable height and are easy to reach for cleaning.
Defrost and glass
Automatic defrost saves you from chipping ice and keeps the freezer running efficiently. On glass door freezers, look for heated or multi-layer glass, which stops the doors fogging up so customers can always see the stock.
Ambient rating and refrigerant
Check the ambient rating, which is the hottest room the freezer is designed for. If it will sit near the cooking line or in a hot climate, choose a model rated for high temperatures; several of our display freezers are rated to 43°C. Natural refrigerants like R290 have a much lower environmental impact than older gases such as R404A.
Upright freezer vs chest freezer vs under bench freezer
- Upright freezers use the least floor space for their capacity, and shelves make it easy to find and rotate stock.
- Chest freezers hold more bulk stock for the money and stay colder when opened, but you have to dig for items at the bottom.
- Under bench freezers sit under your prep bench, so frozen ingredients are right where you cook.
Installation and care
Place the freezer on a level floor with clear space for airflow around the compressor, and follow the manual on how long to let it stand after delivery before switching it on. Let it reach temperature before loading, and avoid putting hot food straight in; a blast chiller brings cooked food down safely first. Clean the condenser coil regularly, keep the door seals in good condition, and do not block the internal fan with stock.
Our upright freezer range
- Atosa: top-mounted solid door freezers in single, double and triple door sizes, plus glass door showcase freezers.
- Skipio: stainless steel 1, 2 and 4 door storage freezers.
- NovaChill: bottom-mount glass door display freezers in single, double and triple door sizes.
- Conquest: single and double solid door storage freezers.
- Anvil: 400 and 600 litre single door upright freezers with a stainless steel door.
- Inomak: single and double door upright freezers with stainless steel or glass doors that take 2/1 GN trays, plus slimline models, made in Greece.
- Glacian: single and double door stainless steel upright freezers (550 and 1170 litres) that take 2/1 GN pans.
- Everlasting: the GEL2000 gelato storage freezer, made in Italy, holding 30 x 5L containers at down to -30°C.
- Saltas: 1, 2 and 3 door glass door display freezers (420 to 1260 litres, -22°C to -16°C) with triple glazed anti-fog glass.
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.
Commercial upright freezer FAQs
What temperature should a commercial freezer be?
Around -18°C. Our upright freezers run between about -17°C and -22°C, so food stays hard frozen even with regular door openings.
Is an upright or chest freezer better for a business?
An upright freezer is better when floor space is tight and you need to find stock quickly. A chest freezer is better for bulk storage of items you do not need every day.
Can I use a glass door freezer for ice cream?
Yes. Glass door display freezers are ideal for packaged ice cream and frozen desserts. For scooping gelato in front of customers, see our Ice Cream & Gelato Display Freezers.
Why is my freezer icing up?
Ice usually builds up when warm, moist air gets in through a damaged door seal or a door left ajar. Check the seals, make sure the door closes on its own, and let the automatic defrost do its job.
Do you deliver Australia-wide?
Yes. We deliver to every state by tailgate truck. Standard delivery is to your door, so ask us if you need it carried inside or up stairs.