A walk-in freezer or cooler is one of the most important and costly investments for any commercial kitchen. There are hundreds of different makes and models to choose from, which makes choosing the right one quite challenging. You want to make the best decision; otherwise, it could be an expensive mistake.

In this post, you’ll find tips on how to pick the best commercial walk-in cooler, which will help you make an educated choice. In addition, there are a handful of walk-in cooler models you might want to consider.

Which Are The Best Commercial Walk-In Freezers?

If you’re in the market for a walk-in freezer, check out the following suggestions. 

Coldline 8' x 10' Indoor Walk In Cooler Box

This walk-in cooler box from Coldline will be a good investment if you want to keep ingredients and fresh foods safe. 

Dimensions: 98.5” (L) x 118” (D) x 90” (H)

Main features:

• Constructed from corrosion-resistant coated steel

• 4” Urethane interior helps maintain cool temperatures

• Large door for easy access

• Cam action locking panel design

• Flush-mounted, self-closing door

• Custom sizes are available

Price: $6,768 

Mr. Winter 8' x 8' Commercial Walk-In Freezer Box With Floor

This commercial walk-in cooler box from Mr. Winter will keep your fresh and frozen food frozen without breaking the bank. These walk in freezer units are manufactured in the US and feature USA-built compressors. 

Dimensions: 96” (L) x 96” (D) x 90” (H) 

Main features:

• Walls and ceilings made from standard 26 gauge stucco embossed Galvalume

• Floors made from smooth aluminum

• 4” thermal resistant panels

• Self-closing door with keyed entry latch

• Tongue and groove panel edges

• Easy installation 

Price: $6,540

Mr Winter (Quick Ship) W-6X6F Wintelligent 6' x 6' x 8' Walk-In Freezer Box with Floor

This Mr. Winter freezer box is a new line of modular, foamed-in-place coolers primarily for low-temperature applications. Temperatures range from -20 to 0F. The unit doesn’t have an insulated floor. 

 Dimensions: 72” (L) x 72” (D) x 90” (H) 

Main features:

• Insulation panels made from injected polyurethane between two sheets of galvanized steel

• A patented anti-corrosion fastening system

• Panels are easy to remove and add to as your needs change

• Reinforced floor with a static load capacity of 1600 lbs per square foot

• Available for quick shipping

• Floorless models are also available

Price: $7,062

Mr Winter (Quick Ship) W-10X12F Wintelligent 10' x 12' x 8' Walk-In Freezer Box with Floor

This is another modular, foamed-in-place walk-in cooler that can be in your commercial kitchen within a few weeks. The unit has panels that benefit from a four-inch insulation core of injected polyurethane backed with a phenolic resin cost. 

Dimensions: 120” (L) x 144” (D) x 90” (H) 

Main features:

• Air-tight assembly that means no gaps or energy leaks

• Insulated floor included

• Construction is 4” panels with an insulation core

• Door frame includes LED lights

• Remote refrigeration is an option

• Reinforced floor with a dynamic load capacity of 400 pounds

Price: $14,164

Amerikooler 6' x 6' Quick Ship Walk-In Freezer With Floor

This Amerikooler is a top choice for keeping food cool. Features include energy-efficient insulation and freezers that have undergone rigorous structural testing. 

Dimensions: 72” (L) x 72” (D) x 91” (H)  

Main features: 

• Certified to withstand hurricane conditions

• Modular panel construction

• Acrylume stucco embossed finish

• Flush door hardware with spring-assisted hinges

• Door jamb with vapor proof light, digital thermometer, and switch

• High-security heavy-duty deadbolt handle latch

Price: $6,389 

What Are The Most Important Factors and Features to Consider When Choosing a Commercial Walk-In Freezer?

There are some critical considerations to take into account when choosing your walk-in cooler.

Ease of use is one of the most important considerations. You don’t want to invest in a freezer that’s cumbersome to use, comes with a hefty repair bill, or is not very energy efficient. 

Next, consider the desired temperature range and installation. Think about the space where you want to install your freezer and the type of food you will be freezing.

Finally, think about energy usage because an inefficient model will be costly to run. Check the freezer’s rating, how long it will last, whether there is high-quality insulation, and any specific needs you have for your freezer.

Let’s look at some of these considerations in more detail and a few additional ones.    

Types of Walk-Ins

There are basically two types of walk-in coolers: built-in and fabricated. Let’s compare the two and what they offer.

Built-In

A built-in walk-in cooler can be built to perfectly suit your needs. It can be designed to blend in with your current environment. You can even have it covered in structural tiles to match the surrounding walls. It is a very customizable option, meaning your requirements are the only limits. You can have one built as big as you want. However, such a specific freezer construction means it will be a costly option. Another downside is that you won’t be able to move or alter it once it’s been built.  

Prefabricated

Prefabricated walk-in coolers are very versatile, more affordable, and the most popular option. You can locate this type of freezer almost anywhere, as long as it fits into the space. There are various size options, and you can easily expand your freezer space. The only real disadvantage is that it might not fit your catering space perfectly. 

Walk-In Cooler Building Blocks

A walk-in cooler is made up of several component parts. These building blocks are as follows:

Panels

The panels used to make the shell of your freezer will be made using foam insulation that’s been sandwiched between a metal skin. The skin can be made from different metals, as seen in the section below. 

The layer of insulation material inside the sandwich is typically around four inches thick. It is high-density foam insulation that helps to prevent temperature loss and make your freezer energy efficient.

The efficiency of the insulin is measured by an R-Value. The higher the number, the better the insulating effectiveness. Foamed-in polyurethane is the most common insulation material used because it has a very high R-Value.  

Door

The door of a freezer unit gets a lot of abuse, so it’s got to be tough and able to keep a tight seal. A standard feature of a freezer door is the kickplate, which improves the door’s durability. 

The best type of door is one with adjustable door hinges. They ensure an air-tight seal and improved energy efficiency. 

Another great energy-saving feature is a self-closing door latch. It will ensure the door always closes properly, thereby keeping the cold air in. 

Floor

When it comes to the floor of your freezer unit, the amount of traffic your freezer gets will determine the best type of floor. Most are made using smooth aluminum, which is suitable for a freezer that gets light or medium traffic. 

A heavy-duty floor will be more suitable if there is going to be heavy cart traffic or heavy items such as beer kegs will be stored in your cooler. 

You might not need to worry about a floor at all, and this is a much cheaper option. However, if your freezer has no floor, you’ll need to ensure the floor on which you install your freezer meets all federal, state, and local code requirements. For walk-in coolers, the floor must be insulated.  

Type of Metal Skin

A walk-in cooler can have an outer skin that’s made from different materials. The most common are aluminum, stainless steel, G 90 galvanized steel, and Galvalume. Let’s take a look at the features of each.  

• Aluminum: Not prone to rusting. However, it is one of the more expensive materials for walk ins and is easy to dent.  

• Stainless steel: Rust resistant, but it scratches easily and is expensive.

• Galvalume: Very strong material, but eventually, it will rust and is also quite expensive.  

• G 90 galvanized steel: A more affordable option for walk ins but it’s prone to rust. 

Refrigeration System

The refrigeration unit  of your freezer can be mounted in several places. 

Top Mount

A refrigerators system that’s top-mounted will be pre-assembled and self-contained. You can use it straight out of the box. Some manufacturers design the system to be flush with the interior, which means it won’t infringe on any available interior space.

If you're purchasing an indoor walk-in, you may find that the heat the refrigeration system compressor discharges puts additional stress on any HVAC in the room.  

Side Mount

A system that is mounted on the side is very similar to one on the top of walk ins. The main difference is that it’s bolted to the side. If the ceiling in the room is very low, side mounting the system will work better. However, interior shelf space may be reduced because of the positioning of the walk ins evaporator coil.  

Remote

A remote system is designed to sit outside a building which is a good option if space is needed for the alk ins ventilation. Another benefit is that this type of system tends to be less expensive. 

Walk-In Freezer vs. Walk-In Refrigerator

Another important consideration is to decide whether you actually want a freezer or whether a walk-in refrigerator would be a more suitable option. Your decision will depend on whether you rely mostly on frozen or fresh ingredients. 

A walk-in refrigerator will keep a temperature of below 4 degrees Fahrenheit compared with a walk-in cooler that can maintain a temperature of around 0 degrees Fahrenheit. 

If you need a solution for both fresh and frozen foods, you should consider purchasing a two-compartment commercial walk-in. 

Indoor vs. Outdoor Use

An indoor and an outdoor walk-in cooler are very different. An outdoor walk-in will have insulating panels for a roof. This tends to make outdoor models more expensive. An outdoor walk-in freezer will also have thicker insulation and a roof sealing kit for protection from the elements. 

Size

The size of commercial walk-in coolers depends on several factors. But a good guide is that you require 1/2 cubic foot of storage space for every meal served.  

Ventilation

Walk-in coolers require adequate ventilation if they are to work efficiently and effectively. When thinking about the location of your freezer, you need to allow a minimum of one inch of space between the walk ins unit and the walls and ceiling of the room it’s in. If you’re purchasing a top-mounted walk-in freezer, it also requires at least two inches of space from the top of the walk ins compressor to the ceiling. 

Floor Choice

Not all walk-in coolers have a floor. If you’re looking at a model that doesn’t have a floor, you’ll need to install it on a ground-contact concrete floor. 

Door Choice

You may find yourself facing a variety of doors. Look for walk-in coolers with doors that are the most functional and have minimal energy consumption. In addition, check the structure of the door and take into consideration its durability along with potential repair costs. 

Energy Consumption

The most energy-efficient models will have approval stamps from organizations such as ENERGY STAR. 

Cleaning and Maintenance

Cleaning your walk-in cooler is quite a simple process. Walk in manufacturers usually recommend cleaning walk-in coolers with warm soapy water and a damp mop. The condenser will also need cleaning at least once every three months. Clean it with a wire brush to loosen the accumulation of dust and dirt, and remove the loose particles with a vacuum cleaner. 

Delivery and Installation

Because walk-in coolers are very large, you’re going to need to get the unit delivered. Before the delivery, you have to clear enough space to move the panels to the installation site. 

It’s a good idea to schedule delivery of your walk in during a quiet period of the day or when you’re typically closed.  

Warranty

The warranty offered by manufacturers of walk-in coolers tends to vary. You should ensure you get the maximum warranty possible on your walk in because while you might not want to think about it, sometimes things fail. 

Accessories For Your Walk-In

Various accessories are available for walk-in coolers. They may or may not be included in your purchase. For example:

• Strip curtains to help maintain the desired temperature in the walk in and save energy.

• Shelving units will increase the available square footage.

• Refrigeration systems are available as a separate purchase should you need one. 

Conclusion

Now you have all the necessary information, it should make choosing walk-in coolers much easier. A walk in will be a significant investment you have to make but it is certain to be worth it if you make your decision wisely.