Excellence Industries HFF-12HC 81 In. Heavy Duty Storage Ice Cream Freezer, 33 Can Capacity, Stainless Steel Flip Lid Top, Bottom Drain

Commercial chest freezers are built for bulk frozen storage. They work in restaurants, delis, catering, and convenience stores. The lid opens from the top. That keeps cold air in when you open it. Chest freezers hold temperature better than uprights. They run at or below zero, day after day. Go big if you need volume. Go small if you need backup storage.

You can get chest freezers in different sizes and setups. Glass top models let you see what's inside without opening the lid. Good for self-serve or retail. Solid lids work better in the back where you just need storage. Stainless steel is common if you want something tough and easy to clean.

Capacity is the most important factor when choosing a commercial chest freezer. Models in the 20 to 30 cu ft range cover most foodservice storage needs, while larger units are available for operations that go through significant quantities of frozen product. Choose based on your available floor space, how much frozen product you need to hold, and whether the unit will be used for back-of-house storage or front-of-house display.

Common Types and Configurations

• Solid Lid Chest Freezer: The standard configuration for back-of-house frozen storage. A solid insulated lid provides excellent temperature retention and energy efficiency. Best for kitchens and storage areas where display is not needed.
• Commercial Chest Freezer Glass Top: Features a glass lid that allows customers or staff to see stored product without opening the unit. Common in convenience stores, delis, and retail foodservice settings where frozen items are displayed for self-serve access.
• Commercial Display Chest Freezer: Designed for front-of-house use with a glass lid and interior lighting to showcase frozen products. Used in retail foodservice, grab-and-go stations, and convenience store environments.
• Large Commercial Chest Freezer: High-capacity units for operations that need to store significant quantities of frozen product. Available in sizes up to and beyond 30 cu ft for high-volume foodservice and catering use.
• Compact Commercial Chest Freezer: Smaller units for secondary storage areas, food trucks, or operations with limited floor space that still need reliable below-zero frozen storage.

What to Look at Before You Buy

• Capacity: Pick a size that fits what you actually store. 20 to 30 cubic feet covers most kitchens. If you use a lot, get a bigger unit or more than one.
• Lid Type: Solid lids insulate better. Use them in the back. Glass tops are for display or self-serve.
• Interior Organization: Get baskets or dividers if you want to keep things sorted. Chest freezers get messy fast without them.
• Temperature Range: Make sure it holds 0°F or below, even when full. If it sits in a hot room, check the ambient rating.
• Footprint and Placement: Chest freezers use more floor space than uprights. Measure first. Make sure the lid can open all the way.
• Energy Efficiency: Chest freezers waste less cold air than uprights. Good insulation keeps your costs down.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a commercial chest freezer?

A commercial chest freezer opens from the top. It holds bulk frozen product for restaurants, delis, and stores. The top lid keeps cold air in. That makes it more efficient than an upright. Use one if you need to keep a lot of product frozen at 0°F or below.

What size commercial chest freezer do I need?

Figure out how much you need to store and how often you restock. Most kitchens use 20 to 30 cubic feet. If you move a lot of frozen product, get a bigger unit or more than one. Measure your space. Chest freezers need more floor area than uprights. Make sure the lid can open all the way.

What is the difference between a chest freezer and an upright freezer?

Chest freezers open from the top. You get one big compartment. Uprights open from the front and have shelves. Chest freezers hold cold better. Uprights are easier to organize and use less floor space, but they lose cold air faster when you open the door.

Related Categories

• Reach-In Freezers
• Undercounter Freezers
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• Ice Cream Display Freezers

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Excellence Industries is a manufacturer of commercial refrigeration equipment with more than 70 years of industry experience, serving foodservice, retail, beverage, dairy, and ice cream markets. Its product portfolio includes glass door merchandisers, display freezers, storage refrigerators, milk coolers, ice cream cabinets, and custom refrigeration solutions designed for high-traffic commercial environments. The company focuses on efficient refrigeration performance, product visibility, and merchandising features that support retail and foodservice operations. Its refrigeration solutions are used by national restaurant chains, consumer brands, and institutional operators that require dependable performance, tailored configurations, and responsive aftermarket parts and technical support.