A commercial refrigerator freezing food is usually caused by a thermostat set too low, food blocking the cold air outlet, a stuck or failing temperature control, or a door gasket problem that makes the unit run nonstop. Start with the easy checks: the setpoint, what is stored in front of the fan, and a thermometer reading in the middle of the box.
Shop the equipment in this article: reach-in refrigerators, undercounter refrigerators and refrigerated prep tables. Freight is included on every order.
What temperature it should be
The FDA Food Code requires cold food held at 41 F or below. Most kitchens set refrigerators between 35 F and 38 F, which keeps food safe without freezing it. See cold holding at 41 F.
Causes and fixes
- Thermostat or controller set too low. Fix: check the setpoint on the digital control or dial and raise it a little at a time, giving the unit a few hours to settle between changes.
- Food stored in front of the evaporator fan or cold air outlet. The air coming out of the coil is well below freezing, so anything in its path freezes. Fix: move delicate items like lettuce, eggs and dairy away from the back panel and fan, and leave space for air to move.
- Overpacked shelves. Packed boxes block airflow so some spots run very cold while others run warm. Fix: leave gaps between items and off the walls.
- Faulty thermostat, sensor or controller. If the unit keeps running and the box keeps getting colder after you raise the setpoint, the control may be stuck. Fix: call a refrigeration technician.
- Damaged door gaskets or a door left ajar. The unit runs constantly to fight warm air coming in, and areas near the coil get too cold. Fix: check the gaskets seal all the way around and replace torn ones.
- Defrost problems. If the coil ices up, airflow drops and temperatures swing. Fix: check the defrost settings or have a technician check the defrost timer or heater.
Quick checks in order
- Put a thermometer in a glass of water in the middle shelf and read it after an hour.
- Check the setpoint.
- Clear space in front of the fan and off the back wall.
- Inspect the door gaskets and make sure the door closes on its own.
- If it still freezes, call a technician before food is lost.
Prep tables and salad bars
Refrigerated prep tables and salad bars often freeze items in the rail because cold air blows across the pans. See refrigerated salad bar freezing food for those units.
Related problems
- Refrigerator running warm: see commercial refrigerator not cooling.
- Strange sounds: see commercial refrigerator making noise.
- Freezer settings: see what temperature a commercial freezer should be.
What to buy
If an old unit keeps swinging between freezing and warm, a new reach-in refrigerator with a digital controller is often cheaper than repeated repairs and lost food. See the reach-in refrigerator buying guide. Freight is included to the 48 contiguous states and DC.