Reefer containers for cold storage on site

A reefer, the short name for a refrigerated container, puts cold or frozen storage on your own site without a walk-in cooler to build. What arrives is a finished, insulated box with its own refrigeration unit already installed; set it on a firm spot, plug it in, and it holds a temperature from there. That's the difference, for a business that needs cold capacity now, between waiting on construction and having storage running before the month is out.

The problem: cold capacity, fast

Running short of cold and frozen storage always seems to happen at the worst possible time. Peak season is when a restaurant or grocer outgrows its coolers. A farm needs a harvest kept cold before it can ship. A weekend event needs catering held at temperature. Blooms need chilling for a florist, and a lab or pharmacy needs general temperature-controlled space. A walk-in cooler eventually solves each of these, but it takes weeks or months to build and leaves behind a permanent footprint you might not want.

The fix: a reefer, delivered and powered

There's no build with a reefer. We bring the unit to your site, set it down on a firm, level spot, and you handle the power connection. High cube refers to a container standing a foot taller than standard for extra vertical room, and because insulation lines the walls, a reefer holds a bit less than a dry box of the same footprint. Within its set-point range, the unit runs chilled for produce, dairy, and drinks, or frozen for meat and other frozen goods. Speed and flexibility are the payoff; the catch is that a reefer draws continuous power and ongoing electricity or fuel, something a passive shed never needs.

Where an on-site reefer fits

The most common case is restaurant and grocery overflow — extra chilled or frozen space next to the kitchen or stockroom during a busy stretch. Farms use a reefer to hold a harvest cold on the way from field to truck. Catering and event teams keep food at temperature over a multi-day event with one. Cut flowers last longer when a florist chills them. Labs and pharmacies also use reefers for general temperature-controlled storage, though we're describing that use in general terms and make no compliance or certification claims, so check your own requirements for regulated products.

Reefer units to match your needs

If you need two temperatures inside one box, a dual-temperature 20ft reefer runs one side chilled and the other frozen, though each zone ends up smaller as a result. When single-temperature volume matters most, a new high cube 40ft reefer gives you the most space along with a clean machine. If budget matters more to you than appearance, a used high cube 40ft reefer comes in cheaper, assuming the inspection and running hours hold up.

Questions people ask us

What power does a reefer need on site?

3-phase power, often 460V, is what most reefers run on. Without that supply on-site, a correctly sized generator (a genset) can take its place and run the unit. Since connecting power is a job separate from delivery, get your electrician involved early.

How cold does it get?

A reefer stays within its set-point range whether it's running chilled for produce and dairy or frozen for meat and other frozen goods. Each unit handles a single temperature at a time, unless you opt for a dual-temperature reefer that keeps two zones going simultaneously.

What does delivery look like, and how long should I expect it to take?

Because reefers are heavy, a crane rather than a tilt-bed slide-off may be needed for placement, and we verify your site access and clearance ahead of delivery. Once your site is confirmed, reefer orders typically take 7 to 10 business days to fulfill.

Get a free quote

Share the temperature you need to hold, details about your site, and the power available, and we'll price out the unit plus delivery with nothing hidden, replying within 1 business day. Every unit gets inspected and graded before it leaves for delivery. Sizing the right reefer and planning the power is what our storage solutions consulting is for, and our container delivery team gets it onto your site. Weighing new against used first? Read our guide to how to buy a refrigerated container, then request a free quote to get started.