Where underbench fridges fit
Underbench fridges sit beneath a service or prep counter — typically 600–900mm tall, 600–2400mm wide. They turn dead space into refrigerated storage at exactly the point of use: under the cocktail station, the pizza pass, the salad bench, the dessert plating zone. The right model for your kitchen depends on the bench height, width, and what you're storing.
Sizing and configuration
- Single-door (~600mm wide): Bar prep, small dessert stations, café finishing benches. ~120–180L.
- Two-door (1200–1500mm): Standard prep line — handles bulk veg, mise en place containers, dairy. ~300–450L.
- Three-door (1800–2200mm): Long bar back, large prep line. ~450–600L.
- Four-door / saladette: GN-pan-topped versions for sandwich, pizza, and salad assembly — see
- Drawer units: Drawers in place of doors — better organisation for portioned proteins, faster grab-and-pull access on the line.
Bench-fit checklist
- Height: Match your bench height — 850mm is the most common; 900mm bench heights need a slightly taller unit or insert.
- Ventilation clearance: Front-breathing units sit flush; rear-breathing need 50–100mm clearance from a wall.
- Door swing or slide: Hinged doors need swing room; sliding doors suit tight aisles but reduce internal volume.
- Castor vs leg: Castors roll out for cleaning under and behind; legs are more stable for rocking benches.
Bar vs kitchen — different specs
Bar underbench fridges typically have glass doors for visual stock checks, bottle-friendly internal layouts, and lower ambient ratings (rated for warm bar environments). Kitchen prep underbench units are stainless solid-door, GN-pan compatible, and rated for higher-cycle door openings. Specify by use case, not just volume.
Pair with