Walk in Cooler Buyer's Guide

So you're in the market for a walk in cooler...

First and foremost, thanks for being here.

We know you have options when it comes to buying a walk in cooler, so we're honored for the opportunity to help you in your journey. 

We're committed to helping you make the best decision when it comes to buying a walk in cooler...even if it means sending you to our competition.

Download For Later: The Ultimate Guide to Buying a Walk in Cooler in 2023 [Free PDF]

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We'd love your business, of course. But first, we'd love to earn your trust.

"How to Buy a Walk in Cooler" covers all major aspects of buying a walk in cooler, from learning how they're made to helping you find a reputable refrigeration contractor to providing you a list of the top walk in cooler manufacturers in the U.S.

The world of walk in coolers is a mystery to most people outside the foodservice equipment and commercial refrigeration industries.

Our goal is to demystify this world so you can easily understand the basics. Even a small amount of walk in cooler knowledge can help you make better decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

How to Use This Guide

This guide is for:

1. Small business owners operating a restaurant, convenience store, bakery, brewery, ice creamery, flower shop, or any other business in need of keeping perishable goods fresh and profitable.

2. Foodservice equipment dealers, refrigeration wholesalers, mechanical contractors, general contractors, architects, engineers, or any others in the business of providing cold storage solutions for the businesses described above.

We recommend reading this guide front to back. However, feel free to skip around and start with the topic that interests you the most. Use the table of contents below to navigate through the many different topics.

walk in cooler buying guide

Start with the final chapter - Top 12 Walk in Cooler Manufacturers - if you are further along the journey and prepared to start requesting quotes. Or start with the topic that interests you the most. 

Just keep in mind some of the topics discussed here are interdependent and best understood when read together in the order presented.

Have questions? Get in touch with us here. We're happy to help.

Without further adieu...

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: How are Walk in Coolers Made?

Chapter 2: Is an Outdoor Walk in Cooler Right For You?

Chapter 3: Walk in Cooler Options and Accessories

Chapter 4: How Much Does a Walk in Cooler Cost?

Chapter 5: 3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Used Walk in Cooler

Chapter 6: How to Build a DIY Walk in Cooler

Chapter 7: How to Find a Reputable Refrigeration Contractor

Chapter 8: How to Store Food in Your Walk in Cooler

Chapter 9: Top 12 Walk in Cooler Manufacturers



CHAPTER 1 - HOW ARE WALK IN COOLERS MADE?

Walk in coolers play a critical role in keeping perishable goods - foods, beverages, flowers, plants, pharmaceuticals, etc. - fresh and profitable.

But what exactly is a walk in cooler?

What are walk in coolers made of?

How are they made?

Knowing what a walk in cooler is and how one is made will help you make educated, cost-effective decisions and avoid potential pitfalls.

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CHAPTER 2 - IS AN OUTDOOR WALK IN COOLER RIGHT FOR YOU?

Which type of cooler is right for you? Indoor or outdoor?

Deciding whether an indoor or outdoor walk in cooler is right for you is a personal decision. What works for you might not work for another business and vice versa.

Both offer pros and cons. The right one for you depends on these four factors

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CHAPTER 3 - WALK IN COOLER OPTIONS AND ACCESSORIES

You don't have to be an expert on walk in coolers or commercial refrigeration to successfully operate your business.

But having a basic understanding of what options and accessories are available will help you make better decisions when it comes to your cold storage needs.

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CHAPTER 4 - HOW MUCH DOES A WALK IN COOLER COST?

This chapter covers the costs associated with most common walk in cooler packages.

Find out why buying a walk in cooler is much like buying a single-family home in a tract community and how you can save a few extra bucks upfront.

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CHAPTER 5 - BUYING A USED WALK IN COOLER

Now that you have a better idea how much a walk in cooler costs, you may be thinking, "Hmmm...maybe a used walk in cooler is the way to go".

Be careful. Buying a used walk in cooler can lead to larger expenses and headaches down the road.

Think a used walk in cooler might still be worth it? Consider these three things before searching for one online.

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CHAPTER 6 - HOW TO BUILD A DIY WALK IN COOLER

Assembling your own walk in cooler is one way to save money when shopping for a new cold storage box.

The video and step-by-step instructions in this chapter will show you how to build a walk in cooler in no time.

The process is broken down into four parts. Get full access here.

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CHAPTER 7 - HOW TO FIND A REPUTABLE REFRIGERATION CONTRACTOR

Price is the key reason why some people end up with the wrong refrigeration contractor. Cheaper is almost always never better, yet many double down on best price despite the precedents.

Instead of choosing a contractor based on best price, use the 3-step screening process in this chapter to find a reputable refrigeration contractor who can help solve problems, not create additional ones.

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CHAPTER 8 - HOW TO STORE FOOD IN A WALK IN COOLER

You may think that just throwing everything in the walk in cooler is an acceptable way to store perishables inside your cooler. As long as it's inside the cooler, it's all good, right?

Not quite. There's an art and science to handling and storing food in a walk in cooler.

Follow the 3 steps outlined in this chapter to help minimize waste, avoid foodborne outbreaks, and keep perishable items fresh and profitable at all times.

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CHAPTER 9 - TOP 12 WALK IN COOLER MANUFACTURERS

While we're confident our custom and standard walk in coolers are among the best in the industry, we compiled a list of the top walk in cooler manufacturers in the U.S. to provide a better understanding of the industry and help focus your search.

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