What you need to know:

Chest Freezer vs Upright Freezer: Which Is Right for Your Business?

The way a freezer is used in a fish and chip shop is very different from a restaurant. How much it can hold is just the start of choosing between a chest freezer vs. upright freezer in commercial spaces. What you’re storing, how your team works and your kitchen layout can all help with the choice.

With this guide, you can work out the best commercial freezer for restaurants, cafés, bars, takeaway stores, butchers and other spaces.

Chest Freezer vs Upright Freezer: Which Is Right for Your Business?

How a Chest Freezer Works

A chest freezer is a heavily insulated box that works by using a sealed refrigeration system to remove heat from the inside while lowering the temperature on the inside. As the cold air sinks and collects at the bottom, it doesn’t spill out as easily when the lid is opened.

Speaking of lids, there are two main types of commercial chest freezer in Australia:

  • Hinged or flip lids,which open upwards, are commonly used for back-of-house storage. The solid lid provides good insulation, while stainless steel versions are often used as an extra surface when they're closed.
  • Sliding glass lids,that slide sideways to let staff or customers see the products before opening the freezer. They’re usually used to display ice cream and other frozen products.

Below the lid is one large compartment, so you can fit bulky cartons, meat, seafood, ice and frozen products. The stock towards the bottom of the freezer can be tricky to reach, although having baskets, rotating stock and labelling products make it a bit easier.

How an Upright Freezer Works

Upright freezers work almost like a chest freezer, using a sealed refrigeration system to get rid of heat and keep everything inside frozen. The big differences are their shape and opening. It has a tall cabinet with a front-opening door, similar to a fridge.

However, as cold air spills out more easily through a front-opening door, the freezer needs to work harder to bring the inside back to temperature. That aside, there are many benefits, including:

  • Being able to easily see what stock is inside
  • Finding individual products easily
  • Keeping different ingredients separate
  • Rotating older stock is easier

The tall design also makes it simple to utilise wall space without taking up too much floor space. However, the shelves and internal components limit what you can pack inside, so you do get less space than a similar-sized chest freezer.

Chest Freezer vs Upright Freezer: Key Differences

When you’re deciding between a commercial chest freezer versus an upright freezer, thinking about the different ways it can impact your kitchen flow can help you make the right choice.

Feature Chest Freezer Upright Freezer
Energy Efficiency Generally more efficient due to trapped cold air. More cold air escapes through the front door, so the unit may have to work harder.
Total Capacity Offers plenty of usable, open volume for bulky stock. Shelves and internal components can reduce available room.
Ease of Access Stock at the bottom can be harder to find and reach. Products are easy to see and grab.
Organisation Baskets and clear labelling are needed to keep stock under control. Built-in shelves and drawers make it easier to separate, see and rotate stock.
Defrosting Most models need manual defrosting. Some models include auto-defrost.
Price Typically costs less than an upright model of similar capacity. Usually costs more due to cabinet design and features.

Which Business Types Suit Each Format?

Different businesses have different freezing needs. Knowing which format better suits how you run can help you find the best commercial chest freezer for your restaurant or business.

Best Freezer for Butchers, Seafood Suppliers & Caterers

Chest freezers work really well for businesses that purchase and store bulk stock. They may be the right choice for:

  • Stock that arrives in large boxes or bags
  • Back-of-house storage areas
  • Staff-only access
  • Needing to store large quantities

The Right Freezer for Restaurants, Cafés & Smaller Kitchens

An upright freezer is often the better choice of commercial freezer for restaurant kitchens, cafés and other smaller spaces where staff need to be able to quickly find and access foods. It’s typically a good fit if:

  • Staff need to access individual ingredients throughout service
  • Stock needs to be clearly separated and easy to see
  • Floor space is limited
  • Fast access matters more than bulk capacity

What to Consider Before You Buy

Before you look at capacities and price, you’ll want to work out how a freezer works with your current layout and workflow. Use this as a checklist to help you get started.

  • How much space do you need? When measuring the space, make sure to include enough clearance for ventilation and to open the lid or door.
  • How often will it be open? Remember, an upright freezer is easier to access during service, while a chest freezer can be harder to access.
  • How is your stock packed? Large cartons, bags and bulky products can be quickly unloaded into chest freezers, while individually portioned and smaller ingredients are easier to organise on upright shelves.
  • How hot does the kitchen get? A hotter kitchen can make a freezer need to work harder to stay cold, so you’ll need to check the recommended operating conditions for each model.
  • Who is going to defrost it? Keep in mind most chest freezers will need to be emptied and manually defrosted.

Shop Commercial Freezers at AGC Equipment

Make room for your frozen stock while making it easier for your team to find and get what they need. Browse AGC Equipment’s range of chest freezers and upright freezers to find your right fit today.


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