Commercial refrigeration plays a critical role in food safety, stock management and day-to-day kitchen efficiency across Australian food businesses. From restaurants and cafes to bakeries, supermarkets and catering operations, the right refrigeration setup helps maintain product quality, support smoother workflows and meet food safety requirements. Under FSANZ guidelines, cold food must be stored at 5°C or below, making reliable refrigeration essential for any foodservice environment.
1. Reach-In Refrigerators
Reach-in fridges are the most common type used in restaurant kitchens. They come in single, double or triple door models and offer ample adjustable shelving to organise produce, ingredients and prepared foods. Some models feature split compartments for refrigerator and freezer use.
Key features:
- Vertical storage space
- Easy access
- Temperature stability
- Solid or glass door options
- Mounted on castors for easier movement and cleaning
2. Undercounter Refrigerators
Undercounter fridges are compact units designed to fit beneath prep tables or counters, making them perfect for kitchens or serving areas with limited space. These are ideal for storing frequently used ingredients within arm’s reach near prep stations, coffee machines and blending areas. They come with a glass or solid door. Normally, there is a solid door for the kitchen/back house area and a glass door at the front of the house.
Key Features:
- Space-efficient
- Available with drawers or doors and a solid or glass door
- Often used on cook or prep lines
3. Worktop Refrigerators
These combine refrigeration with a stainless steel work surface, making them useful in kitchens where prep and storage need to happen within the same footprint.
Key Features:
- Integrated prep surface
- Refrigerated base
- Saves time and space
4. Display Refrigerators
Display refrigerators are used to store and present drinks, desserts, sandwiches and other grab-and-go products in customer-facing areas. Available in upright, countertop and open-front styles, many models include glass doors and LED lighting to help products stay clearly visible throughout service. Artisan™ offers a wide range of display equipment, including upright merchandisers, refrigerated display cabinets and open-front chillers for cafes, bakeries, supermarkets and food retail businesses.
Types Include:
- Dairy and produce fridges
- Bakery display cases
- Open-air merchandiser fridges
- Butchers Display
- Flower Fridges
- Pet Food Display Fridges
5. Bar and Beverage Coolers
These specialised units store and chill bottles, cans and mixers. Commonly used in bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs, they come in back-bar models (often with sliding or swing doors) and undercounter styles for easier access during service behind the bar.
Key Features:
- Adjustable shelving
- Glass or solid doors
- Often include LED lighting
6. Prep Table Refrigerators
Also known as prep stations, these units have refrigerated bases and a top section for ingredient pans. They allow chefs to assemble dishes quickly and keep ingredients at safe temperatures. These units are also available with a glass canopy and front for preparation in front of customers or for back-of-house use with a stainless steel flip lid. Artisan™ refrigerated prep counters are commonly used for sandwich, salad and pizza preparation.
Types Include:
- Sandwich/salad prep tables (with stainless steel pans, cutting board, internal dry shelf, internal LED light, refrigerated storage, night covers and rear sliding doors)
- Pizza prep tables (with larger boards, stainless steel pans, top stainless steel flip lid/cover)
7. Glass Door Merchandisers
Common in convenience stores and supermarkets, glass-door merchandisers are upright fridges designed for customer access. They’re particularly effective for displaying drinks, dairy products, pre-packaged foods and flowers.
Key Features:
- LED-lit displays
- Energy-efficient glass doors
- Multiple adjustable shelving options
- Clear view doors so product is easily seen,
Commercial Freezer
Commercial refrigeration also includes a wide range of freezer systems designed for long-term frozen storage, bulk inventory management and rapid product cooling. Upright freezers provide organised back-of-house storage for commercial kitchens, while chest freezers are often preferred for bulk frozen stock and lower operating costs. Businesses working with limited floor space commonly install under bench freezers alongside prep lines, while bakeries and production kitchens rely on blast freezers for rapid chilling and food safety compliance. Many cafes, supermarkets and hospitality venues use multiple types of commercial freezers to support different storage and production requirements.
Display and Merchandising Equipment
Modern commercial refrigeration goes beyond storage alone, with display and merchandising equipment helping products stand out in busy front-of-house areas. Butcher and deli display counters are commonly used for meat, seafood and delicatessen merchandising, while cake display fridges support bakeries and patisseries with temperature-controlled presentation.
Businesses serving ready-to-eat meals often install hot food displays for front-of-house service, alongside ambient display cabinets for packaged goods, bread and muffins that do not require refrigeration. Open-front display chillers make self-service products easier to access while keeping chilled items properly stored.
Specialty and Combo Units
Some businesses require more specialised commercial refrigeration systems. Fridge-freezer combos allow operators to combine chilled and frozen storage within a single footprint, helping maximise space efficiency in compact kitchens. Artisan™ also supplies Bakers Buddy bakery fridges and freezers designed to suit standard bakery tray sizes, along with medical vaccine fridges for healthcare and pharmacy applications where precise temperature control is essential.
What to Consider Before Buying Commercial Refrigeration
When selecting commercial refrigeration equipment, consider:
- Your available floor space
- The products you need to store
- Ambient operating conditions
- Energy efficiency requirements
- Ease of cleaning and maintenance
- Whether the unit is staff-only or customer-facing
- Food safety compliance: cold food must be stored at 5°C or below, and frozen food at -18°C or below, in line with FSANZ guidelines
Most commercial kitchens rely on a mix of refrigeration systems rather than a single unit. Using separate prep refrigeration, display cabinets and freezers often improves workflow, stock organisation and service speed.
Finding the Right Refrigeration Setup
Investing in the right commercial refrigeration equipment helps improve food safety, workflow efficiency and product presentation across cafes, restaurants, supermarkets and food retail businesses. Whether you operate a cafe, restaurant, bakery or catering business, the right setup helps staff work more efficiently, keeps stock organised and maintains reliable holding temperatures throughout service.
If you’re unsure what fits your business best, talk to Artisan™ Food Equipment who give you all the advice you require on 1300278472 or sales@artisangroup.com.au who can help assess your operation and recommend the ideal equipment.
