Before determining what size commercial refrigerator they need, the first question for many food business owners is usually “What type of commercial refrigerator do I need?” Two of the most popular choices are glass-door refrigerators and solid-door refrigerators, and each one shines in different settings.
This guide breaks down glass-door vs solid-door refrigerators: what each type offers, their key differences, and how to choose the best fit for your specific food business.
Understanding Glass-Door vs Solid-Door Refrigerators From a Food Business Perspective.
Glass-Door Refrigerators: Features and Best Uses
A commercial glass-door refrigerator functions as a product display that also refrigerates, which is why they are ideal in businesses that rely on product visibility to drive sales.
For a food business, a glass-door commercial refrigerator offers product visibility, space efficiency, lower energy consumption, and helps with impulse purchases, which ultimately boost sales.
Benefits of Glass-Door Refrigerators For Food Businesses
- Clear product visibility: Customers (and staff) can see what’s inside the fridge without opening the door. This helps boost efficiency in restocking and makes purchasing decisions easier for the customers
- Great for grab-and-go items: They are also great for drinks, packaged foods, desserts, sandwiches, etc., which are core products for food businesses.
- Bright interior lighting: They often feature bright and colorful LED lights that enhance merchandising and create an inviting display.
- Designed for front-of-house use: They are specifically built to sell products, and can be easily positioned where customers are most likely to see them
- Often available in sliding or hinged configurations: This makes them more adaptable and space efficient, which is super helpful in tight retail spaces.
- Good temperature recovery: Many models use forced-air cooling for fast pull-down.
What Kind of Business Would Benefit Most From a Glass-Door Refrigerator?
Any business that relies on customers seeing the products clearly and making quick purchasing decisions would greatly benefit from a display refrigerator. For the following food businesses, a glass-door refrigerator is a must:
- Convenience stores
- Cafés and coffee shops
- Supermarkets
- Bakeries (for cakes, pastries, drinks)
- Fast-casual restaurants
For any of the above businesses, consider Wilprep’s list of 5 Glass-Door Refrigerators for businesses ranked from biggest to smallest.
Solid-Door Refrigerators: Features and Best Uses
Contrary to glass-door refrigerators, which are designed both for storage and for product display, solid-door refrigerators are designed primarily for efficient storage.
A commercial solid-door refrigerator is essentially a workhorse for storing bulk ingredients rather than showcasing products. So, in terms of insulation, durability, and storage capacity (per cubic foot), a solid-door refrigerator is much superior to a glass-door refrigerator.
Benefits of Solid-Door Refrigerators to a Food Business
- Better insulation: The solid doors lose less cold air and maintain temperature more consistently than the glass doors of a glass-door refrigerator.
- Lower energy consumption: Especially for high-volume kitchens and back-of-house storage.
- Enhanced durability: They better withstand frequent use, which makes them perfect for busy chefs and constant opening/closing.
- More storage per cubic foot: There is no space wasted on display lighting or double-pane glass.
- Excellent for food safety compliance: Holds temperature well during peak hours.
What Kinds of Businesses Need Solid-Door Refrigerators?
Solid-door commercial refrigerators are best suited for any operation where storage and efficiency matter more than product display. For the following food businesses, a solid-door refrigerator is invaluable:
- Restaurants (back-of-house)
- Catering businesses
- Ghost kitchens
- Food trucks and small kitchens
- Bars (for ingredients, prepped items, and kegs)
For particular details, you can refer to our guide on how to choose a commercial reach-in refrigerator for different settings.
2. Glass-Door vs Solid-Door Refrigerators: Main Differences
The most important, evident, and significant difference between a glass-door and a solid-door refrigerator is visibility.
Though both types of refrigerators are capable of storing items, the principal difference between them is that the glass-door refrigerator is designed to both store and display items to customers, and the solid-door refrigerator is designed solely for maximum, efficient storage.
Though there are many other differences between glass-door and solid-door refrigerators, they all stem from the fact that the former is designed mainly for display and the latter for storage.
Differences between Glass-Door and Solid-Door Refrigerators
- Energy Efficiency: Glass-door refrigerators are less insulated and can lose more cold air. Solid door refrigerators are more energy-efficient due to thicker insulation.
- Purpose/Ideal Setting: Glass door refrigerators are great for front-of-house display and customer engagement. Solid doors are more ideal for back-of-house storage and kitchen efficiency.
- Durability: Glass door refrigerators are sturdy but are usually easier to scratch or crack. Solid doors are typically more rugged and long-lasting.
- Temperature Consistency: Glass door refrigerators may fluctuate more with constant opening, but a solid door is more stable and great for sensitive ingredients.
- Aesthetics: Glass-door refrigerators are modern, sleek, and great for showcasing premium products. Solid doors have a clean, professional, functional look.
Glass-Door vs Solid-Door Refrigerators: Differences at a Glance
| Feature | Glass-Door Refrigerator | Solid-Door Refrigerator |
| Product Visibility | Excellent | None |
| Best For | Merchandising / front-of-house | Storage / back-of-house |
| Energy Efficiency | Moderate | High |
| Temperature Stability | Good | Excellent |
| Durability | Moderate | Very high |
| Storage Capacity | Slightly lower | Higher |
| Role in Business | Encourages impulse buying | Protects, stores, and organizes bulk items |
| Typical Use | Drinks, desserts, grab-and-go items | Ingredients, prep items, raw materials |
Glass-Door vs Solid-Door Refrigerators: Which Should You Choose for Your Food Business?
The principal criteria for choosing between a glass-door and a solid-door commercial refrigerator should be the type of business you run and the nature of the products you offer for sale. Here’s a simple guide based on business type, and including what sizes you should consider.
1. For Cafés and Coffee Shops
If you are choosing a refrigerator for a Café and/or coffee shop, it is better to go for a glass-door commercial refrigerator. Consider a 1-door or 2-door upright merchandiser for better display of the drinks, cakes, sandwiches, and pastries you offer.
The 27.6" Commercial Display Refrigerator from Wilprep features a storage capacity of 19 cu. Ft., is ETL listed and can easily display up to 510 standard 12 oz. cans, ensuring your drinks and food are tastefully presented.
It is perfect for a small-to-medium cafe or coffee shop. Bakeries and coffee shops offer products that need visibility: customers want to easily see the bottled drinks, cakes, sandwiches, and pastries you offer.
2. For Convenience Stores / Mini Marts
For a convenience store and/or mini mart, a glass-door commercial refrigerator is the ideal choice. Consider 2-door or 3-door upright coolers, especially energy-efficient models like Wilprep’s 44.5" Commercial Display with 33.5 cu.ft of storage capacity, an advanced air cooling system, and consumes only 3.5 kWh/24h.
Just like bakeries, convenience stores offer products that need to be seen by customers, and they also rely on impulse purchases.
3. Bakeries
For a bakery, both glass-door and solid-door refrigerators are usually required. However, a glass-door refrigerator arguably plays a better role in a bakery than a solid-door refrigerator since it helps display the products, and therefore, directly drives sales.
For a small bakery, 1–2 door glass upright fridges are usually ideal. Consider a single-door commercial refrigerator or a double-door merchandiser, depending on the size of your bakery. Also consider glass deli cases for cakes and pastries
4. Restaurants
For a restaurant, whether full-service or fast-casual, a solid-door refrigerator is more important than a glass-door refrigerator, since most of the prep work and food preparation happens in the back kitchen.
Consider a 1- or 2-door solid refrigerator for ingredient and food items storage, or a 3-door model, depending on the size of your restaurant. With Wilprep, you can get a high-quality 2-door commercial refrigerator under $2,000.
5. For Bars and Pubs
For a bar and/or pub, it is preferable to have both a glass-door and a solid-door refrigerator: The glass door for drinks, and the solid-door for back storage.
Recommended Models for Bars and Pubs
- Under-counter glass-door coolers
- 1-door solid refrigerator for prepped items
6. For Ghost Kitchens / Catering Services
For a ghost kitchen or catering service, solid-door refrigerators are the better option. They provide maximum insulation, stability, and durability. Ideally, you want to go for a 1- or 2-door solid upright refrigerator, depending on the size of your kitchen or catering service.
7. For Supermarkets
Supermarkets have large and diversified storage needs; therefore, both glass-door and solid-door refrigerators are pivotal in a supermarket.
- Multiple 2- or 3-door glass merchandisers
- Several solid-door models for back-of-house storage
8. For Food Trucks / Small Kitchens
The better option for a food truck or a small kitchen is a solid-door refrigerator. These businesses have little or no display needs and are reliant on storage and performance in the back kitchen.
Consider the following solid-door refrigerator options for a food truck:
- Compact solid under-counter fridges
- Small single-door upright solid refrigerators
Glass-Door vs Solid-Door Refrigerators: When are Both Necessary?
| Glass-Door | Solid-Door | Both |
| Cafés | Restaurants (Full-Service and Fast-Casual) | Bakeries |
| Coffee Shops | Ghost Kitchens | Bars / Pubs |
| Convenience Stores | Catering Services | Supermarkets |
| Mini Marts | Food Trucks / Small Kitchens |
For many operations, the smartest strategy is a combination of both glass-door and solid-door refrigerators. Here’s why:
- Front-of-house vs back-of-house roles are different. Glass-door fridges help you sell, while solid doors help you store efficiently.
- Inventory separation becomes easier. Use a glass unit for ready-to-go items customers should see, and solid units for bulk ingredients or stock rotation.
- You improve workflow and speed. Staff know where to grab display items vs. prep items without confusion.
- Energy costs stay under control. Your high-use kitchen relies on efficient solid doors, while merchandising stays in the glass units where visibility matters.
- Better food safety compliance. Sensitive ingredients stay in stable, solid-door environments.
Most modern food businesses grow into needing both types. Starting with one and expanding later is common-but understanding the role each plays will help you plan your refrigeration layout much more effectively.
Look through Wilpreps' most affordable commercial refrigerators to find a combination that works for your establishment.
