If you are a small-to-medium-sized business or a large household looking for a fast and efficient commercial cooler that maximizes space in your kitchen, a single-door refrigerator should be at the top of your list.
Single-door commercial refrigerators are one of the most versatile kinds of commercial refrigerators out there, and they are designed for compact and efficient cooling in areas where cooling efficiency is required, but space is limited
But what is a single-door commercial refrigerator, and what makes them so great? Also, what specific features should you consider to get one that not only meets your needs but also fits the space in your home?
What Is a Single-Door Refrigerator
A single-door refrigerator is a standalone unit that has just one door, providing access to the entire storage space inside. Unlike refrigerator-freezer combos, a single-door refrigerator is typically only a refrigerator, designed to ensure efficient cooling temperatures (usually between 32-50°F).
This means they are meant to either maximize cooling speed and efficiency while withstanding the frequent use in a private or commercial kitchen or display the goods.
Types of Single-Door Commercial Refrigerators
Unlike single-door freezers, which are typically reach-in models with solid doors, single-door refrigerators can either be display models, reach-in models, under-counter models, or merchandiser models.
1. Reach-In Refrigerators
Reach-in refrigerators are designed for easy access to stored food and ingredients in commercial kitchens. They are upright units with front-opening doors (like a household fridge but much more durable and spacious).
A single-door reach-in refrigerator is usually:
- used in the back of the house: not for customer display.
- Common in kitchens for quick access.
- Made of stainless steel, with adjustable shelves.
The Commercial Solid Door Reach-in Refrigerator from Wilprep is the perfect single-door reach-in refrigerator. It offers a volume of 18.7 cu. ft. and features 5 adjustable shelves, each capable of holding up to 88lb.
With a Cubigel compressor and a copper evaporator, it can maintain a suitable temperature range of 32-50°F steadily, easily, noiselessly, and consistently.
Undercounter Refrigerators
Undercounter refrigerators are compact, space-saving units, and they are designed to fit beneath countertops or prep tables in commercial kitchens. They offer quick and convenient cold storage right where the work happens.
A single-door under-counter refrigerator is designed to:
- Fit under worktables or counters.
- Save space, ideal for prep areas.
Glass Door Display Refrigerators
Glass door display refrigerators are designed for showcasing chilled products while keeping them easily accessible. They’re used mostly in front-of-house or customer-facing areas, where visibility and presentation matter.
If you run a café, deli, or convenience store, a single-door display refrigerator would be perfect.
The 21.2" Swing Door Display Refrigerator from Wilprep features an 8.5 cu. ft. capacity, and can easily display up to 240 standard 12 oz. cans. The shelves are adjustable and removable, and it is incredibly energy efficient, consuming only 1.7 kWh a day.
Merchandiser Refrigerators
Merchandiser refrigerators are similar to glass door units but are designed for retail. They often feature bright interior lights and branding panels.
A single-door merchandiser refrigerator would be ideal for your business if you mainly rely on impulse buys or front-of-house displays to make sales.
Buying a Single-Door Refrigerator: Key Features to Look For
There are four major features and specifications to look for when buying a single-door refrigerator: the size/ capacity of the refrigerator, the number and size of storage drawers, an adjustable thermostat, and an automatic self-locking door.
- The size of the single-door refrigerator must match the volume of items you intend to cool.
- Adjustable drawers help you store items of different sizes with maximum space efficiency.
- An adjustable thermostat helps you regulate the temperature within the freezer to best meet the storage requirements of your items.
- Energy efficiency helps minimize the overall cost of running the commercial refrigerator. With a UL-certified commercial refrigerator, for example, you spend less on bills and energy costs.
Checklist for Buying a Single-Door Refrigerator
| Feature | Why It Matters |
| Capacity (cu. ft.) | Choose based on family size or storage needs (5–21+ cu. ft.) |
| Manual vs Frost-Free | Frost-free is low maintenance but may cost more. Manual models are cheaper and quieter. |
| Adjustable Thermostat | Let you control and optimize the temperature. |
| Energy Efficiency | Look for ENERGY STAR-rated models to save on bills. |
| Storage Bins/Drawers | Useful for organization, especially in upright models. |
| Locking Door | Important for safety or security (especially in garages or shops). |
| Garage Ready | Works in hot or cold garages—check if the unit is garage-rated. |
| Interior Lighting | Helpful in dark or low-light spaces. |
| Reversible Door | Installation flexibility (common in upright freezers). |
A Closer Look at Wilprep’s Single-Door Refrigerators
This 27" single-door commercial freezer offers a volume of 18.7 cu. ft. and a temperature range of -11 to 14°F. It is perfect for storing delicate items like meat, seafood, desserts, and more frozen foods for your commercial or home kitchen.
Here are some Key Features:
- Cubigel compressor and copper evaporator for fast, efficient cooling
- 5 adjustable shelves, capable of holding up to 88 lb each.
- An auto defrost design to prevent frost or ice buildup.
- Made of stainless steel for lasting durability and hassle-free cleaning
- A smart door that automatically closes when opened to 90° or less
Certified for safety and quality by ETL, ETL Sanitation, and DOE. The product has been tested by Intertek and meets the applicable requirements of Energy Star and CEC
Single-Door Refrigerator vs. Double-Door Refrigerator
The most obvious difference between a single-door and a double-door refrigerator is in the number of doors. A single-door refrigerator has one door for the entire freezer, while a double-door model has two doors for two different compartments of the same freezer.
However, both freezers also differ in design, best use, size, capacity, price, and even maintenance requirements.
Here's a comparison table of Single-Door refrigerators vs. Double-Door refrigerators to help you understand the key differences and choose the best type for your needs
| Feature | Single-Door | Double-Door |
| Number of Doors | One door for the entire freezer compartment | Two separate doors for different sections (usually top & bottom or side-by-side) |
| Design | Simple, compact design | Larger, more complex design |
| Size/Capacity | Typically 3 to 15 cu. ft. | Often 15 to 30+ cu. ft. |
| Best For | Small to medium households, dorms, offices, and backup storage | Large households, businesses, and commercial kitchens |
| Footprint/Space Needed | Requires less floor space | Requires more floor and door swing space |
| Energy Efficiency | Generally, more energy-efficient due to its smaller size | Less efficient if both doors are opened frequently |
| Temperature Zones | Single cooling zone | Dual cooling zones (can set different temps per section) |
| Ease of Access | All items are accessed through one door | Better organization with separate compartments |
| Organization | May have fewer shelves or drawers | Often includes more shelves, drawers, or compartments |
| Price Range | More affordable ($150–$700) | More expensive ($500–$2000+) |
| Maintenance | Easier to clean and maintain | Slightly more complex maintenance |
| Frost-Free Options | Available, though many are manual defrost | More likely to include frost-free systems |
| Common Locations | Garages, small kitchens, apartments, basements | Large kitchens, restaurants, and big family homes |
| Door Swing | One direction (some models offer reversible doors) | May be French doors, side-by-side, or top/bottom split |
Choosing between Single Door and Double Door Commercial Freezers
- Choose a Single-Door refrigerator if you want something compact, affordable, and energy-efficient for general home use or as a second freezer.
- Choose a Double-Door refrigerator if you need larger capacity, better organization, or dual temperature zones, especially useful in commercial or large household settings.
Recommended Double Door Refrigerator
This 54" double-door commercial refrigerator offers a volume of 40. cu. ft. and a temperature range of 32-50°F. It is equally fast and efficient for storing meat, seafood, desserts, and more foods for your business.
- Cubigel compressor and copper evaporator for fast, efficient cooling
- 10 adjustable shelves, capable of holding up to 88 lb each.
- An auto defrost design to prevent frost or ice buildup.
- Made of stainless steel for lasting durability and hassle-free cleaning
- A smart door that automatically closes when opened to 90° or less
Certified for safety and quality by ETL, ETL Sanitation, and DOE. The product has been tested by Intertek and meets the applicable requirements of Energy Star and CEC.
Explore this list of essential fast food equipment to discover more options and this guide for freezing vegetables to ensure your perishable items last longer.
