When setting up a new restaurant or upgrading your restaurant kitchen equipment, understanding the differences between various types of commercial refrigerators helps you easily identify the one that best fits the available space and serves the needs of your business, thereby saving time and money.
Most restaurants use both commercial countertop refrigerators and counter-depth refrigerators, and both have their place in the commercial kitchen environment. However, they are not the same. In terms of size, purpose, placement, and design, countertop refrigerators differ from counter-depth refrigerators.
Let’s clear up the confusion and break down which one works best, especially in a restaurant setting.
Countertop vs Counter-Depth Refrigerators: What's the Difference?
What is a Countertop Refrigerator?
A countertop refrigerator is a small, compact fridge that sits on top of your countertop. Countertop fridges are typically used to store beverages, snacks, or small items, and they are common in hotel rooms, dorms, or small office spaces.
Here are the four main characteristics and features of countertop refrigerators
- Capacity: 1 to 3 cubic feet
- Placement: On a counter
- Use: Snacks, drinks, quick-access items
- Size: Small and portable
A countertop fridge might sit behind your bar, keeping mixers or garnishes cool.
What is a Counter-Depth Refrigerator?
A counter-depth refrigerator is a full-size fridge designed to sit level or even with your counters and cabinets, offering a seamless, built-in look. It is ideal for kitchens that want to maximize space without compromising storage.
Here are some typical characteristics of a counter-depth refrigerator:
- Capacity: 15 to 25+ cubic feet
- Placement: Built into the line of cabinetry
- Use: Main cold storage for ingredients and prep
- Size: Large and stationary
A counter-depth refrigerator in the kitchen helps store bulk ingredients while keeping aisles clear.
Countertop vs Counter-depth Refrigerator: Side-by-Side Comparison
1. Size and Capacity
The most obvious difference between a countertop refrigerator and a counter-depth refrigerator is the difference in size/capacity. Countertop refrigerators are typically smaller, about 1-3 cu.ft in capacity, while counter-depth refrigerators are much larger, ranging between 15-25 cu.ft of storage space and even more.
Some types of commercial counter-depth refrigerators, like offer up to 70 cu.ft in capacity.
2. Use and Purpose in Commercial Settings
In commercial settings, countertop refrigerators are primarily used to display items like food and drinks to customers. Their placement on the tabletop brings choice items into the sight of the customers and helps induce impulsive purchases.
Counter-depth refrigerators, on the other hand, are primarily used for storage. Though some types of commercial counter-depth refrigerators, like commercial display refrigerators, are used for showcasing items, they have noticeably larger storage capacities than countertop refrigerators.
3. Placement in Commercial Settings
Due to their differences in size and capacity, countertop refrigerators are typically placed in different locations than counter-depth refrigerators. Because they are lighter and contain fewer items, countertop refrigerators are placed on top of counters.
Counter-depth refrigerators contain many more items (usually heavier ones as well), and are significantly larger and taller; they simply cannot be placed on a countertop.
| Feature | Countertop Refrigerator | Counter-Depth Refrigerator |
| Size | Small (1–3 cu. ft.) | Full-size (15–25+ cu. ft.) |
| Placement | On top of a counter | Built into the cabinetry depth |
| Use | Snacks, drinks, overflow storage | Main household or commercial storage |
| Mobility | Portable and lightweight | Large, stationary |
| Design Purpose | Convenience and compactness | Space efficiency and kitchen aesthetics |
Countertop vs Counter-depth Refrigerator: Which Is Better for a Restaurant?
Overall, counter-depth refrigerators are more suitable for commercial restaurants. They offer much more storage space, flexibility in temperature settings, and are better suited to frequent use in a commercial kitchen restaurant
If you need a refrigerator for your main kitchen operations, a countertop refrigerator will do. Consider this mid-size commercial solid door reach-in refrigerator from Wilprep. Though it is one of the smallest in Wilpreps' collection, here’s what it offers your restaurant:
It is excellent for the primary cold storage of ingredients, prep lines, or high-volume operations.
Countertop Refrigerators: Not Great for the Kitchen, but Perfect for Display
While a countertop refrigerator might not be very practical in a commercial kitchen, it is a fantastic option for bar areas, dessert counters, and small grab-and-go setups where customers are likely to make purchases based on the appeal of your food items or drinks.
Here’s why you might want to consider this commercial 35" Countertop Display Refrigerator for your business:
Final Thoughts
In short, here’s what you should know about countertop refrigerators and counter-depth refrigerators:
- Countertop refrigerators are better for the selective display of choice items
- Counter-depth refrigerators are better for bulk storage.
Again, most restaurants will benefit from having both types of refrigerators. But for core kitchen functionality, a counter-depth refrigerator is the right tool for the job. Countertop fridges are helpful additions, but not substitutes.
