Refrigerated container (reefer) or cold room?
To store at low temperatures, two technical options: the refrigerated container (reefer) or fixed cold room. Each has its strengths. Objective comparison to know which one suits your activity.
Comparison table
| Criterion | Reefer | Fixed cold room |
|---|---|---|
| Type of installation | Mobile, placed | Fixed, integrated into the structure |
| Installation lead time | Timing depends on availability | 4-12 weeks |
| Purchase price for 20 m² | £5,690 – £14,700 (20') | £15,750 – £26,250 |
| Purchase price for 40 m² | £8,033 – £23,100 (40') | £26,250 – £42,000 |
| Monthly rental | £301 – £1,155 | Not available |
| Temperature range | -25 °C to +25 °C (adjustable) | Fixed at installation |
| Customisable | No (formats 20'/40') | Yes, custom-made |
| Portable | Yes | No |
| Annual maintenance | £840 – £1,575 | £525 – £1,260 |
| Service life | 20-25 years | Service life and maintenance depend on model, use, exposure and actual condition. Follow manufacturer instructions and obtain a suitable inspection plan and budget; no annual interval or remaining service life applies universally. |
| Installation and works permissions | Check use, site and duration; mobility alone is insufficient | Check the works, building, site and applicable procedure |
Our recommendation
- Reefer You may receive up to 5 quotes depending on the container type, delivery area and available suppliers. The number of replies and response time depend on the partners; neither 5 quotes nor a fixed deadline is guaranteed.
- Cold room for: permanent activity restaurant / butcher's shop / bakery / food retail, volume > 50 m² to store, precise sizing of the space (L-shaped layout, integrated room), single temperature use without planned changes.
- Hybrid — many restaurants and caterers combine: main fixed cold room + reefer as backup during season. This is often the optimum economic solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the fundamental differences?+
Have a competent electrician check the connection against the rules in the United Kingdom, the equipment rating plate and the local network operator’s requirements. A French standard or certificate does not automatically apply to this market.
Compare prices?+
Reefer: purchase of new £5,690 – £14,700 (20 feet), £8,033 – £23,100 (40 feet). Rental £301 – £998. Fixed cold room: £15,750 – £42,000 installed for 20-40 m², cost varies greatly with insulation, refrigeration capacity and associated brickwork. The reefer is cheaper to buy outright and allows short-term rental impossible with a fixed installation.
What flexibility in use?+
Reefer: temperature range -25 °C to +25 °C adjustable, can change settings according to the goods. Cold room: generally sized for one temperature range (refrigeration 2-4 °C or freezing -20 °C), changing configuration requires work. The reefer is clearly more flexible for variable uses (week X: refrigeration drinks, week Y: caterer freezing).
And maintenance?+
Reefer: external refrigeration unit, annual maintenance £840 – £1,575, expensive spare parts (compressor £4,200 – £7,350). Cold room: group often remote, standard parts available locally, maintenance £525 – £1,260/year, local engineer interventions. The cold room is slightly cheaper to maintain over the long term, especially in rural areas where reefer technicians may be far away.
For what use choose which?+
Reefer: seasonal peaks (harvests, festivals), event-based, temporary backup, nomadic usage (construction site), occasional external delivery. Cold room: permanent activity (restaurant, bakery, butcher's shop, supermarket), large and constant volume, fixed location without planned relocation.