3 Best Undercounter Fridges for 2021 Reviewed
From mom and pop restaurants to large commercial restaurants, refrigerators and freezers are necessary. They keep food fresh, and without them, you’ll be extremely limited in the foods you can safely serve your customers.
Since this appliance is likely to be the most heavily used piece of equipment in your kitchen, you need to do some research before purchasing the first one you come across. It’s important you find the right space for it, and it comes equipped with all the right features to fit your needs!
Top 3 Undercounter Fridges
Undercounter fridges are great picks, and we’ll cover everything you need to know here.
| Product | Price | Rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nisbets Essentials Undercounter Fridge | Check Price | 4.8 | Read Review |
| True 2 Drawer Undercounter Fridge | Check Price | 4.7 | Read Review |
| Polar C-Series Undercounter Fridge | Check Price | 4.6 | Read Review |
1. Nisbets Essentials Undercounter Fridge
Pros
- – Rated A Energy Efficiency
- – Sleek appearance
- – Convenient design
- – Adjustable shelves
- – Affordably priced
Cons
- – Not stainless steel
With a door that self-closes, the Nisbets Essentials Undercounter fridge definitely comes with conveniences. Our team found that it was very simple to keep clean (both inside and outside), which we know is very important in any commercial kitchen.
2. True 2 Drawer Undercounter Fridge
Pros
- – Rated B Energy Efficiency
- – Large 200 ltr capacity
- – Made from durable stainless steel
- – Generous 5-year warranty
Cons
- – Moderately high price
At first look we are sure you’ll notice, as we did, that the True TUC-27D-2-HC is durably built to last! Made from high quality stainless steel, this fridge will withstand the forces that come along with a busy commercial setting with less dents and scratches than other materials.
3. Polar C-Series Undercounter Fridge
Pros
- – 2 year warranty on-site parts and labour
- – Rated A for Energy Efficiency
- – Made from durable stainless steel
- – Lockable and reversible door
- – Easy to use manual defrost option
Cons
- – Temperature range is limited (only 2°C to 5°C)
The Polar-C Series Undercounter fridge has an industrial feel at a much smaller size. With the stainless steel exterior and easy-to-wipe clean interior, it’s a pint-sized powerhouse of an appliance.
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What are Undercounter Fridges?
An under counter fridge is just that. A fridge that sits nicely underneath your worktop. Some models can be hidden by a cupboard door, while others are on display. They are essential to keeping ingredients, beverages, and appetizers close at hand.
What are the Benefits of Using Undercounter Fridges?
- - Conveniently placed in preparation areas for quick access
- - Great for storing frequently used ingredients
- - Saves floor space since they fit underneath counters
- - Ideal for catering businesses, pizzerias, sandwich shops, and more!
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Things to Consider When Buying Undercounter Fridges
Commercial undercounter fridges come in all shapes and sizes. You have everything from small quick access units to walk-in coolers. Whatever your business needs, there’s something out there for you! You just need to know what to look for.
Budget
Before you start the shopping process, you need to figure out what your budget is. Decide how much you’re willing to spend on a unit before moving forward. The good news is that these large appliances vary in price. The cost depends on the intended use and features included within it.
Material
The most common types of materials you’ll come across are stainless steel, ABS plastic, and aluminium. Stainless steel is the most expensive yet most durable option. ABS plastic is the cheapest choice, and aluminium is generally in the middle price-wise.
Most of the time, exteriors are made of stainless steel because of their durability and ease of cleaning. If you want to opt for a less expensive option, go with aluminium. The interior of these large appliances can be made from stainless steel, aluminium, or ABS plastic.
Pro Tip: Before shopping, figure out your budget. This will help you determine which construction is best for you.
Intended Use
Do you have an intended use for your fridge? Do you want an under-counter unit to be used as a prep station? Perhaps you just need one for storing beverages? Sometimes you’ll need both!
These appliances are constructed with drawers, doors, or a combination of both. If you plan to use your unit as a prep station, we recommend going with drawers. If you are thinking about using it to store beverages, go with a unit with a door.
If you have the space and budget for it, consider going with a unit that offers both doors and drawers. This will easily allow you to keep products on shelves while providing smooth access.
Door Type
If you go with a unit with doors, you need to decide on the door type you want. You have two options: solid or glass? Use the following to help you decide.
Pros of Solid Doors When Compared to Glass Doors
- - Easier to clean
- - Higher energy efficiency
- - More insulation
The biggest con is you lose product visibility with a solid door.
Pros of Glass Doors When Compared to Solid Doors
- - Better visibility prior to opening the door
- - Reduced openings (this retains more cold air)
The biggest cons include they offer less insulation than solid doors and require more frequent cleaning.
Special Features
A few features to consider include:
- - Dual Temperature. These units will come equipped with a freezer section. This is nice when you want a small section to freeze small items like ice cubes.
- - Shallow Depth. Extra depth is needed when countertops have unusual dimensions.
- - Left Hinge. Depending on which side you need your door to open, some commercial undercounter refrigerators are made with a left hinge instead of right.
- - Reversible Door. If you have a specific preference or kitchen layout, this feature will come in handy. With a reversible door you’ll be able to open the door to the right or left.
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Conclusion
Is an under-counter refrigerator right for you? If you answered yes, be sure to consider the above before making a buying decision. You’ll be glad you did!
