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Should You Buy A Commercial Freezer? (Reviews / Ratings / Prices)

April 10th, 2020 | 4 min. read

By Steve Sheinkopf

True Refrigerators And Freezers at Yale Appliance in Hanover

At a Glance

A commercial freezer is probably not what you were considering during this crisis. However, every residential freezer is out of production until at least June.

So now, it becomes an interesting solution. As a sidebar, most people reading this blog are not from Boston.

In this article, you will learn the important features of a commercial freezer along with a few disadvantages.

Today, we're going to look at a commercial freezer from True. We don't ship out of the area, so you will learn the important features in case you want to buy near you.

In the end, you will better understand whether this is worth considering along with a few other solutions at the end of this article. 

True Commercial Freezers

True-Refrigeration-and-Freezers-at-Yale-Appliance-in-HanoverTrue Refrigerators And Freezers at Yale Appliance in Hanover

 

True has been in the residential refrigerator and freezer business for a short time. If you have been to our new Hanover store, you probably saw their new refrigerators and freezers.

True-Undercounter-RefrigeratorsTrue Undercounter Refrigeration And Wine Coolers at Yale Appliance In Hanover

 

However, they are the name of commercial freezers and refrigerators. The next time you're in Whole Foods, Wegmans, or Shaw's, look at that giant freezer holding those frozen dinners.

It's probably manufactured by True. All True products are made in America in a giant factory in St Louis. Their tagline is "A Passion for Cold."

True 12 Cu. Ft. Freezer T-12F-HC - $2,349

True-Freezer-T-12-HC

Specifications

  • Doors: 1
  • Shelves: 3
  • Width (in.): 24–7/8
  • Depth (in.): 23–1/8
  • Height (in.): 63–1/8
  • Voltage: 115/60/1
  • Horse Power: 1/6
  • Amps: 2.5
  • Weight (lbs.): 185

True 19 Cu. Ft. Freezer T-19F-HC - $2,499

True-Commercial-Freezer-T-19F-HC

Specifications

  • Doors: 1
  • Shelves: 3
  • Width (in.): 27
  • Depth (in.): 24–1/2
  • Height (in.): 75–1/4
  • Voltage: 115/60/1
  • Horse Power: 1/2
  • Amps: 3.7
  • Weight (lbs.): 265

 

What Is The Difference Between A Commercial Freezer And A Regular Freezer?

Castors: They roll around. If you're placing in the garage temporarily, you can always move it to different areas.

Garage Rated: A True is designed to be in hotter climates. Its designed for commercial kitchens. A garage in the Boston area in winter is another story.

Can you place any freezer in an unheated garage is one of the most polarizing searches I have ever conducted.

Everyone knows someone whose 30-year-old Whirlpool refrigerator is still operating in a garage - I would ask how effectively.

However, newer freezers and refrigerators cycle more and are considerably efficient. You will shorten the life of any freezer by placing it in the garage.

True has better gaskets, better construction, but I would not recommend it for an unheated garage

Metal Construction: The door is stainless and resists dents and scratches. The aluminum inside keeps food colder than the plastic of a regular refrigerator.

Better Utilization Of Space: Look at this GE freezer and look at the True. See the difference?

Freezers

True eliminated door shelves, so you pick up much more room on the inside.

Warranty: Three-year warranty plus another two on the compressor versus one year on a regular freezer.

Low Energy Usage: Many commercial products are energy hogs. True is in line with a regular freezer at under five amps. Look at the amps with other commercial brands.

Availability: You have probably tried buying freezers on other sites. You probably even placed them on your credit card.

On this date of publication, these freezers are available.

Disadvantages Of Commercial Freezers

First commercial freezers are not as quiet as residential. The price is at least 2.5 times a residential freezer at $2,349 for the 12 cubic foot and $2,499 for the 19 cubic foot size.

A GE 21 cubic foot in white was $949 in March.

Should You Buy A True Commercial Freezer?

Yes, if you’re a caterer. You can wheel it into a truck. It uses less power and is built solid. There is more storage in a commercial freezer than an equivalent residential freezer.

In some ways, it works in a home. You can place it in your garage under many environments. You can roll it around.

You cannot build this into cabinets, but it is still the most flexible freezer on the market.

Unfortunately, it’s also the most expensive. That’s the only real downside to this commercial freezer.

What Type Of Refrigerators Have The Largest Freezers?

There are three types of refrigerators to consider for more freezer space: Top mount, Side-By-Side, and French Door.

Refrigerator Types

The largest top mount will give you another 65 cubic feet of freezer and will cost roughly. 

Samsung Top Mount Refrigerator RT21M6215SR - $989

Samsung-RT21M6215SR

Samsung Side-By-Side Refrigerator RS25J500DSR - $1,169

Samsung-RS25J500DSG-Refrigerator

Side-by-side and French door refrigerators have about nine cubic feet. Side-by-side refrigerators have more organized storage space vertically, whereas French doors will fit more laterally.

Samsung French Door Refrigerator RF261BEAESR - $1,349

Samsung-RF261BEAESR-1

Prices are about $1,000 for a large top mount versus about $1,200 for a side by side and French door.

A few suggestions:

Buy standard depth for the added cubic footage. Look for scratched, dented, and overstocks to save money.

A regular refrigerator is a less expensive option to a commercial freezer, but will not hold as much.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Are freezers available?

No, they are not available until May/June at the earliest.

2. How much freezer space do you need?

That depends on how you shop and what you eat. Typically, the measurement is 1.5 cubic feet per person or six cubic feet for a family of four.

3. Are commercial freezers fully warrantied?

Commercial freezers come with full warranties for three years and 5-year warranties on the compressor.

4. Can a commercial freezer be used as a refrigerator? 

No, commercial freezers can't be used as a refrigerator.

Additional Resources

Download the Yale Refrigerator Buying Guide with features, specs, and inside buying tips for regular, pro, and integrated counter depth refrigerators. Well over 680,000 people have read a Yale Guide.

View our Refrigerator Buying Guide

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Steve Sheinkopf

Steve Sheinkopf is the third-generation CEO of Yale Appliance and a lifelong Bostonian. He has over 38 years of experience in the appliance industry, and he is a trusted source of information for consumers on how to buy and repair appliances.

Steve has also been featured in numerous publications, including the New York Times, Consumer Reports, The Boston Globe, Bloomberg Radio, the New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, and Entrepreneur, for his knowledge of how to buy appliances and appliance repair.

Steve is passionate about helping consumers find the best appliances for their needs, and he is always happy to answer questions and provide advice. He is a valuable resource for consumers who are looking for information on appliance buying, repair, and maintenance.

Despite being the worst goalie in history, Steve is a fan of the Bruins and college hockey, loves to read, and is a Peloton biker. The love of his life is his daughter, Sophie.

A Note About Pricing

Pricing on this blog is for reference only and may include time sensitive rebates. We make every attempt to provide accurate pricing at time of publishing. Please call the stores for most accurate price.