Your cart
Your cart is empty
Commercial Upright Fridges Buying Guide
Choosing the right commercial upright fridge is about more than simply selecting the largest cabinet. Door configuration, storage capacity, visibility, ventilation, temperature performance and available floor space all influence which model is best suited to your business.
Whether you're fitting out a café, restaurant, takeaway shop, hotel, club, supermarket or commercial kitchen, this guide explains the key differences between commercial upright fridges and helps you choose the right model for your application.
Upright Fridge Size Guide
Commercial upright fridges are available in a range of cabinet sizes, from compact single door models through to large double and triple door units. Choosing the right size depends on your available floor space, the amount of stock you need to hold and how frequently staff access the cabinet during service.
Choosing the Right Size
When comparing upright commercial fridges, consider both the external dimensions and the usable internal storage capacity.
Single Door Upright Fridges
Ideal for: Cafés • Small restaurants • Takeaway shops • Staff kitchens
Single door upright fridges are suitable where floor space is limited or refrigerated storage requirements are moderate. They are commonly used for ingredients, beverages and general chilled stock.
Double Door Upright Fridges
Ideal for: Restaurants • Clubs • Hotels • Busy commercial kitchens
Double door upright fridges provide increased storage capacity while keeping stock organised and easy to access during busy service periods.
Triple Door Upright Fridges
Ideal for: Large venues • Supermarkets • Function centres • High-volume kitchens
Triple door models offer maximum upright refrigerated storage and are best suited to businesses with large stock volumes or frequent restocking requirements.
Door Options
The number of doors affects both storage capacity and day-to-day workflow. Larger cabinets provide more storage, while smaller cabinets can be easier to position in compact kitchens.
Single Door Cabinets
Best for: Smaller kitchens • Backup storage • Lower stock volume
A single door cabinet is compact and practical where storage needs are limited or space is tight.
Double Door Cabinets
Best for: Busy kitchens • Organised stock storage • Higher daily usage
Double door cabinets make it easier to separate stock types and reduce the need for frequent restocking during service.
Triple Door Cabinets
Best for: High-volume venues • Large stock holding • Display or bulk storage
Triple door upright fridges are designed for businesses requiring large refrigerated capacity in one cabinet.
Glass Door or Solid Door?
Choosing between glass and solid doors depends on whether product visibility or insulation is more important for your application.
Glass Door Upright Fridges
Best for: Beverage display • Retail areas • Cafés • Customer-facing refrigeration
Glass door upright fridges allow staff and customers to see products without opening the cabinet, making them ideal for merchandising drinks, packaged food and chilled retail items.
Solid Door Upright Fridges
Best for: Commercial kitchens • Ingredient storage • Back-of-house areas
Solid door upright fridges are generally preferred in kitchens and preparation areas where durability, insulation and concealed storage are important.
Installation & Ventilation
Correct installation is essential for reliable cooling performance and long equipment life. Commercial upright fridges require adequate airflow so the refrigeration system can operate efficiently.
General recommendations include: 20mm clearance on each side • 20mm clearance above • 100mm clearance behind the cabinet • Keep ventilation grilles clear
Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions for the specific model purchased, especially where ventilation clearances, ambient temperature ratings and power requirements are concerned.
Features Worth Considering
Commercial upright fridges are available with features designed to improve performance, reliability and day-to-day usability.
Look for: Fan-forced refrigeration • Digital temperature controller • Adjustable shelves • LED lighting • Lockable doors • Self-closing doors • Heavy-duty castors • Replaceable magnetic door seals • Stainless steel construction • Commercial-grade compressor
CKS Pro Tip: If your upright fridge will be opened frequently during service, consider choosing a model with extra capacity. This helps reduce restocking and gives staff more flexibility when organising chilled stock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size commercial upright fridge do I need?
The best size depends on your available floor space, daily stock volume and how often the fridge will be accessed. A single door model suits smaller businesses, while double and triple door units are better suited to high-volume venues.
Should I choose a glass door or solid door upright fridge?
Glass doors are ideal for product visibility and customer-facing areas, while solid doors are generally preferred in commercial kitchens and preparation areas.
Do upright commercial fridges need ventilation?
Yes. Commercial refrigeration requires adequate airflow to operate efficiently. Maintaining the recommended clearances helps protect cooling performance and maximise equipment lifespan.
Are upright fridges suitable for drinks?
Yes. Glass door upright fridges are commonly used for bottled and canned drinks, while solid door models are more commonly used for ingredients and back-of-house storage.
Can I use a commercial upright fridge at home?
Commercial upright fridges can be used in home environments where suitable space, ventilation and power access are available, but they are designed primarily for business and hospitality use.
Need Help Choosing?
If you're unsure which commercial upright fridge is best suited to your business, our team can help.
Browse our range of commercial upright fridges or contact CKS for personalised advice on selecting the right model for your kitchen, display area or storage requirements.
- Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
- Opens in a new window.