A single-door commercial refrigerator is a vertical, upright commercial refrigerator that is specifically designed for professional food service or retail use. It typically features a single full-height door with multiple shelves inside for organized storage of food, beverages, or ingredients.
Single-door commercial refrigerators are smaller than two-door or three-door models but more powerful and durable than regular household fridges. They are made to withstand heavy daily use, with faster cooling, precise temperature control, and easy cleaning.
What Size is a Single Door Commercial Refrigerator?
Single-door commercial refrigerator sizes vary depending on the manufacturer. However, you can generally expect the size of a single-door commercial refrigerator to fall within the following dimensions:
| Feature | Typical Range |
| Height | 78-83 inches (about 6.5 to 7 feet) |
| Width | 26-30 inches |
| Depth | 30-35 inches |
| Capacity | 18-25 cubic feet |
| Shelves | 3-5 adjustable shelves |
| Interior space | Usually enough for 6-10 full-size food pans or multiple cases of beverages |
Some compact or undercounter single-door units are much smaller (around 6–10 cubic feet), designed for tight kitchens or beverage service.
Common Types of Single-Door Commercial Refrigerators
There are three main types of single-door commercial refrigerators: single-door reach-in refrigerators, single-door display refrigerators, and single-door undercounter refrigerators. Some types of countertop display refrigerator models (usually smaller deli cases) are considered by some to be single-door refrigerators, but they are usually seen as a category of their own.
1. Single-Door Reach-In Refrigerators
Single-door reach-in refrigerators are the most common types of single-door commercial refrigerators. They are:
- Upright in design and mainly reserved for back-of-house use in commercial kitchens and prep areas.
- Often made of stainless steel with solid doors (sometimes glass).
- Great for storing prepped food, dairy, sauces, or ingredients.
2. Single-Door Commercial Display Refrigerators
Single-door display refrigerators are also known as single-glass door refrigerators: they are mainly used for front-of-house display of items to customers and typically feature interior LED lighting. They are used to showcase beverages, bottled drinks, sandwiches, desserts, or grab-and-go items.
3. Undercounter or Worktop Refrigerators
Single-door undercounter or worktop refrigerators are compact, waist-height units that fit under counters or act as work surfaces. Consider a single-door undercounter refrigerator for food prep stations in tight kitchens.
5. Display or Showcase Single Door Commercial Refrigerators
Focused on visibility and merchandising, these models are often designed with curved glass fronts or open-air designs for grab-and-go convenience stores. They are typically smaller than reach-in and display single-door refrigerators, but bigger than some undercounter refrigerators.
What are Single Door Refrigerators Used For?
Single-door commercial refrigerators are popular across many industries because they balance space efficiency and performance. You’d find them in restaurants, cafés, bars, coffee shops, and even food trucks.
| Establishment Type | Common Uses | Why They’re Chosen |
| Restaurants | Storing ingredients and prep items near the cooking line | Compact, reliable, easy to clean |
| Cafés/Bakeries | Storing dairy, pastry fillings, fruit purées | Fits limited backroom space |
| Bars/Coffee Shops | Chilling drinks or mixers | Fast access and display options |
| Convenience Stores/Delis | Showcasing bottled beverages or sandwiches | Glass-door display attracts customers |
| Food Trucks/Pop-Ups | Ingredient storage | Smaller footprint and efficient energy use |
| School/Hospital Kitchens | Short-term storage of perishable items | Meets NSF standards for food safety |
| Catering Businesses | Prep and temporary storage | Portable and reliable cooling performance |
Buying a Single-Door Refrigerator: Key Features to Look For
Single-door commercial refrigerator, consider your specific business needs and environment.
- Start with Size and Capacity: Measure your available space (height, width, depth, door swing clearance). Choose a capacity that matches your daily storage volume- larger isn’t always better if space is tight.
- Door Type: For kitchen/ backroom use, choose a solid door refrigerator. For customer-facing display and easy visibility, choose a glass door refrigerator. Some models offer self-closing or stay-open features for convenience.
- Cooling System: Top-mounted compressors: Cleaner (less floor dust), ideal for dry environments. Bottom-mounted compressors: Easier to service, better in hot kitchens. Look for forced-air circulation for even temperature distribution.
- Temperature Range and Control: Most operate between 33°F-41°F (0.5°C-5°C). Digital thermostats are more accurate than mechanical dials.
- Construction and Materials: A commercial refrigerator with a stainless steel interior/exterior is the most durable and easiest to sanitize. Aluminum is also cheaper and still NSF compliant.
- Energy Efficiency: Check for ENERGY STAR® certification. LED lighting and eco-friendly refrigerants (like R290) reduce running costs.
- Shelving and Layout: Adjustable, heavy-duty wire shelves support large containers or pans. Some offer optional slide-in racks for GN or hotel pans.
- Compliance and Warranty: Verify NSF, UL, or ETL Sanitation listings for food safety. Look for at least a year’s warranty on parts.
2 Best Single-Door Commercial Refrigerators From Wilprep
1. 27-inch Commercial Solid Door Reach-in Refrigerator
This 27-inch single-door commercial refrigerator offers a volume of 18.7 cu. ft. and a temperature range of 32-50°F. The cooling system consists of an Embraco compressor and copper evaporator that work together to ensure fast, even cooling and optimal temperature levels throughout the unit, and you also get an auto defrost design that prevents frost or ice buildup.
It is perfect for storing eggs, milk, vegetables, and more fresh produce for your business
2. 21.2-inch Merchandiser Refrigerator Swing Door
With an advanced air cooling system consisting of an Embraco compressor with R290 refrigerant, this 21.2-inch commercial merchandiser refrigerator has 8.5 cu. ft. capacity easily displays up to 240 standard 12 oz. cans, ensuring your drinks and food are tastefully presented.
The adjustable and removable shelves allow for easy storage of taller cans and bottles, giving you flexible and convenient storage solutions. Featuring a high-density insulation layer and low-E tempered glass floor, this unit consumes only 1.7 kWh/24h.
Consider this display refrigerator for displaying all your items at a lower cost.
Conclusion
In the end, choosing the right single-door commercial refrigerator is about striking a balance between functionality, efficiency, and space. You want a unit that precisely fits your workflow: whether that means temperature control, durability, energy usage, or ease of maintenance.
As you weigh options, you might also find it helpful to compare counter-depth vs standard-depth refrigerators. Understanding that trade-off can guide your decisions on clearance, storage space, and aesthetics.
