Reach-In Refrigerators and Freezers

Q: Bottom-mount or top-mount compressor — which is better?

Bottom-mount runs cooler in hot kitchens, keeps the top shelf at a usable height and is serviced from the front. Top-mount keeps the lowest shelf and stays cleaner in flour-heavy bakeries. For a cook line, bottom-mount.

(186 products)

Commercial reach-in refrigerators and freezers in one-, two- and three-door stainless steel cabinets, 19 to 72 cu ft. Our own Polarman PLM series — bottom-mount, R290 refrigerant, 5-year compressor warranty — plus True, Everest and Dukers, in solid and glass door versions. Free nationwide shipping. Sizing help is in the buying guide below the products, or call +1 (888) 717-8999.

Commercial Reach-In Refrigerator & Freezer Buying Guide

Reach-in refrigerators

One-, two- and three-door stainless steel cabinets holding 33–41°F for daily cold storage on the line. Our own Polarman PLM reach-in refrigerators run from the slim 19 cu ft PLM-19RS to the 72 cu ft three-door PLM-81RS, all bottom-mount with R290 refrigerant and a 5-year compressor warranty; True, Everest and Dukers cover the rest of the range. Shop reach-in refrigerators →

Reach-in freezers

Same cabinets, holding −10°F to 10°F. Polarman PLM-19FS through PLM-81FDVS, plus True and Everest freezers. Freezers draw two to three times the amps of the matching refrigerator, so check the circuit. Shop reach-in freezers →

Refrigerator / freezer combos

Dual-temperature cabinets with one section refrigerated and one frozen — the answer when you need both and have one footprint. Shop refrigerator/freezer combos →

Glass door reach-ins

Polarman PLM-27RGS, 54RGS, 81RGS and the 54FGS freezer swap solid doors for glass so staff can find product without opening the door — the right choice at the pass or in a bakery, not next to the fryer. Shop glass door reach-ins →

How to choose a commercial reach-in

Size by cubic feet, then check depth. Planners use roughly 1–1.5 cu ft per meal served per day. Every Polarman reach-in is 82 5/16" tall; the slim PLM-19 series is 25 9/16" deep, all others 32 11/16" plus door swing. Sizing guide →
Solid or glass door. Same compressor and amps on the same cabinet; glass adds 37–108 lb and works harder in a hot kitchen. Use glass where people look, solid where the box lives on the hot line.
Bottom-mount or top-mount. Bottom-mount (all Polarman) draws cooler floor-level air and puts the top shelf at chest height; top-mount suits flour-heavy rooms where a bottom grille clogs.
Refrigerator or freezer. 33–41°F vs −10–10°F. A 23 cu ft freezer draws 8 A where the same-size refrigerator draws 3 A. Temperature guide →
Power. A dedicated 115V circuit per unit (3–9 A running). The 81" freezer PLM-81FDVS is 220V three-phase with an L14-20P plug. Full reach-in buying guide →

Polarman reach-ins at a glance

Model	Type	Doors	Capacity	Width × depth	Amps (115V)	Weight
PLM-19RS	Refrigerator	1 solid	19 cu ft	26 3/16" × 25 9/16"	3 A	291 lb
PLM-27RS	Refrigerator	1 solid	23 cu ft	26 3/4" × 32 11/16"	3 A	329 lb
PLM-27RGS	Refrigerator	1 glass	23 cu ft	26 3/4" × 31 7/8"	3 A	366 lb
PLM-35RS	Refrigerator	2 solid	35 cu ft	39 1/2" × 32 11/16"	4.5 A	413 lb
PLM-54RS	Refrigerator	2 solid	49 cu ft	53 15/16" × 32 11/16"	4.5 A	490 lb
PLM-54RGS	Refrigerator	2 glass	49 cu ft	53 15/16" × 31 7/8"	4.5 A	598 lb
PLM-81RS	Refrigerator	3 solid	72 cu ft	81" × 32 11/16"	7.5 A	669 lb
PLM-81RGS	Refrigerator	3 glass	72 cu ft	81" × 31 7/8"	7 A	774 lb
PLM-19FS	Freezer	1 solid	19 cu ft	26 3/16" × 25 9/16"	5 A	296 lb
PLM-27FS	Freezer	1 solid	23 cu ft	26 3/4" × 32 11/16"	8 A	329 lb
PLM-35FS	Freezer	2 solid	35 cu ft	39 1/2" × 32 11/16"	8 A	419 lb
PLM-54FS	Freezer	2 solid	49 cu ft	53 15/16" × 32 11/16"	9 A	501 lb
PLM-54FGS	Freezer	2 glass	49 cu ft	53 15/16" × 31 7/8"	9 A	598 lb
PLM-81FDVS	Freezer	3 solid	72 cu ft	81" × 32 11/16"	9 A (220V 3 ph)	706 lb

All models: stainless steel inside and out, 82 5/16" tall, bottom-mount compressor, R290 refrigerant, 88 lb shelves, 1-year labor / 2-year parts / 5-year compressor warranty, free shipping in the continental US.

Commercial reach-in FAQ

What temperature should a commercial reach-in refrigerator be?

Between 33°F and 41°F; most health codes require food to be held at 41°F or below. Reach-in freezers hold −10°F to 10°F, with 0°F the usual target for frozen storage.

What size commercial refrigerator do I need?

Plan on roughly 1–1.5 cu ft of refrigeration per meal served per day, then round up: 40 meals a day fits a 49 cu ft two-door; 60 or more usually needs a 72 cu ft three-door plus undercounter units at the stations.

Bottom-mount or top-mount compressor — which is better?

Bottom-mount runs cooler in hot kitchens (floor air is cooler than ceiling air), keeps the top shelf at a usable height and is serviced from the front. Top-mount keeps the lowest shelf and stays cleaner in flour-heavy bakeries. For a cook line, bottom-mount.

Do commercial refrigerators need a dedicated circuit?

Yes. A reach-in is a continuous load; give each unit its own 15 A or 20 A 115V circuit and never share it with a mixer, slicer or microwave. Three-door freezers such as the PLM-81FDVS run on 220V three-phase.

Solid door or glass door reach-in?

Solid doors insulate better and cost less; glass doors let staff see product without opening the door. On the same Polarman cabinet the compressor and amps are identical — choose by where the unit stands, not by efficiency.

What is the difference between a reach-in and a walk-in?

A reach-in is a self-contained cabinet from 19 to 72 cu ft that plugs into a wall outlet. A walk-in is a room you build, cheaper per cubic foot above roughly 100 cu ft but needing a remote condenser and installation. Reach-in vs undercounter vs walk-in →