Your ultimate guide to buying multideck display fridges

The refrigeration system pumps cold air through the unit, but instead of keeping it sealed inside; multidecks create what’s called an ‘air curtain’. This invisible barrier of cold air flows down the front of the unit, keeping your products chilled. The air then gets pulled back into the system at the bottom, cooled again, and sent round for another go. It’s a continuous cycle that maintains consistent temperatures across all of your shelves. 

What are the different types of multidecks?

When you’re shopping for multideck display fridges, you’ll come across three main types.  

Open-front models are very popular. You’ll see them everywhere, from corner shops to motorway services, usually stocked with sandwiches, salads and soft drinks. They’re perfect for grab-and-go items, because there’s no barrier between your products and your customers.  

However glass-door multidecks are another great option as these give you better temperature control and use less energy, the downside being that your customers need to open the door to get what they want. They work well for products that need extra protection or when you want to reduce your running costs.  

In addition there are shuttered multidecks, these have roll-down shutters which you can close after hours. These are particularly handy if your shop has varying opening times, or if you want to switch off certain sections of stores during quieter periods. 

Here's more insights into why buyers choose multidecks over other commercial fridges. For a start they offer something unique, maximum visibility with easy access. Unlike chest freezers, where products get buried, or solid-door cabinets which 'hides' products from your customers, multidecks put everything on display at eye level. Your customers can see exactly what’s available, compare options and make decisions quickly. That visibility drives sales in a way that other refrigeration can’t match. Plus, with adjustable shelving and flexible layouts, you can configure these to suit the specific products you’re selling, from single bottle beverages to family-sized ready meals. 

When you’re measuring up, don’t just check the width of your chosen spot. You need to account for the depth of the unit plus enough room for customers to stand and browse comfortably. Most people need space to look at products without feeling cramped. You’ll want to add a little leeway if it’s a busy thoroughfare where people need to pass each other.    

Don’t forget to measure the height too. Some multidecks are surprisingly tall, and you may need to navigate around beams, air conditioning units or signs. 

Your multidecks need breathing room. The refrigeration system pulls in air from various points and requires proper clearance to work efficiently. Squashing a unit tight against a wall or blocking its vents will make it work harder, increasing energy usage and potentially shortening its overall life. Most manufacturers specify minimum clearances, usually at least 10cm at the back and 5cm on the sides. You’ll also need to check that your floor can handle the weight, especially if you’re planning to install several units side by side, known as multiplexing. 

Getting your new multideck into position requires some planning. These units don’t come in flat-pack boxes. They’re delivered fully assembled and can be difficult to manoeuvre into their chosen spot. So, be sure to measure every doorway, corridor and turn between your delivery point and the final position. Consider whether you’ll need to remove any door frames temporarily or if there’s an alternative route through a loading bay. Professional installation isn’t always essential, but it’s worth considering if access is tight or you’re not confident about the electrical connections. 

Looking into unpack and position and remove and dispose options too from multideck suppliers. 

For chilled drinks, you’re looking at a different setup. Bottles and cans are heavy, especially when you’re stocking in bulk. So, you need robust shelving with proper weight ratings. Many retailers find that angled shelves work best for drinks. The products roll forward automatically as your customers take items from the front, keeping your display looking well stocked without needing constant attention from your staff.  

Deeper shelves at the bottom also support multipacks and larger bottles better, with shallower shelves at eye level for individual drinks that customers grab on impulse. 

Pre-packed sandwiches, wraps and salads tend to sell best when your customers can clearly see the labels and fillings. So, you want shelves that display the products at a slight angle. The shelf lips need to be just high enough to stop items sliding off, but low enough that the labels remain visible.  

Since these products have a short shelf life, you’ll appreciate shelves that make rotating stock easy. There’s nothing worse than finding out-of-date sandwiches hiding at the back adding to stock wastage. 

Fresh produce and grab-and-go items often need the most flexibility. Your morning trade might be all about fresh fruit salads and dairy products, whilst the lunchtime rush brings demand for sandwiches and sushi. Adjustable shelving is your friend here. You can reconfigure your displays as needed without calling in an engineer. Some retailers even change their layout between breakfast and lunch, maximising sales by putting the right products at eye level when customers want them most. 

Don’t forget about seasonal trends and other influences on product popularity. Come summer, you might need twice the space for cold drinks and ice creams, while winter brings demand for ready meals and soups. The best multidecks allow you to adjust shelf heights and positions quickly, so you’re not stuck with a configuration that only works for part of the year.  

Consider if you’ll need special fittings, too, like dividers, clips or special holders for awkward items like fresh juice bottles. 

Your budget and running costs 

When you’re looking at multideck prices, the cheapest option that fits your space seems tempting. But that flat price is just the start of what you’ll spend overall in running costs.  

A bargain unit that guzzles electricity will cost you far more over its lifetime (Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)) than a pricier model that sips power efficiently.  

Think of it like buying a car. You wouldn’t just consider the purchase price without thinking about fuel consumption, would you? 

Energy efficiency ratings tell you how much electricity your multideck will use. The differences are bigger than you might expect. An A-rated unit might cost more than a C-rated one, but it could save you a few hundred pounds a year in electricity bills. Over a typical ten-year lifespan, the payback through those savings can be significant. Plus, it's better for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) as it’s better for the environment.  

The latest models with LED lighting and intelligent defrost systems use remarkably little power compared to older units. 

You also need to factor in Maintenance and servicing. Each multideck requires regular attention to keep them running efficiently. Filters cleaning, door seals checking, and refrigerant level monitoring. So, don’t forget to budget for routine servicing, though the amount you pay will vary depending on your unit’s size and model.  

Think about the expected repair costs, too. A cheap unit that needs expensive parts shipped from overseas might not be such a bargain after all. 

Regulatory compliance

Before you buy any multideck, you need to know it meets all the relevant regulations. There are quite a few to think about. UK and EU regulations for commercial refrigeration have become stricter in recent years, particularly around energy efficiency and environmental impact.  

Your new unit must comply with Ecodesign requirements, which set minimum energy performance standards in the UK.  

Whilst reputable suppliers, such as TEFCOLD], will only sell compliant models, it’s always worth checking the documentation to be sure. 

Food safety temperatures are non-negotiable. Your multideck must keep chilled foods between 0°C and 5°C consistently, and you’ll need to prove this with regular temperature monitoring.  

Environmental Health Officers will check this during inspections, so choose a unit with reliable temperature control and clear digital displays.  

Many modern multidecks come with temperature logging features that automatically record readings, making your HACCP compliance much easier. 

The type of refrigerant in your multideck matters more than you might think. Older models using high-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants are being phased out under the UK’s F-Gas regulations.  

New units typically use natural refrigerants like propane (R290) or lower-GWP alternatives like R449A. Natural refrigerants are better for the environment and are often more energy-efficient, although units using them might cost slightly more upfront.  

Make sure whoever services your multideck is qualified to work with your chosen refrigerant type. Not all engineers have the proper certificates for every gas. 

Temperature control and consistency

Getting temperature control right isn’t just something you can set once and forget about it. Your multideck needs to maintain consistent temperatures across all shelves, even during constant door opening or during a heatwave.  

The best multideck units create distinct temperature zones.  

• Slightly cooler at the top for dairy.
• Perfect in the middle for sandwiches.
• A touch warmer at the bottom where drinks live.  
• This might sound picky, but it can help keep each product type in optimal condition. 

Digital controls have mostly replaced mechanical thermostats, and for good reason. You get precise temperature settings, easy-to-read displays, and better adjustablity without needing to pull the unit apart.  

Energy efficiency

Those energy rating labels might look complicated, but they’re pretty straightforward once you understand them. The scale runs from A (most efficient) to G (least efficient), with most commercial multidecks falling somewhere between B and E. The difference between ratings is significant. A C-rated unit will use significantly more energy than a B-rated one of the same size.   

. When you’re running a multideck 24/7, those percentages can translate into substantial savings (or costs). 

For example LED lighting in multideck displays uses around 70% less electricity than fluorescent tubes. LEDs also produce less heat, meaning your refrigeration system doesn’t have to work as hard.  

They also last years longer. You may only need to change them once in the unit’s lifetime, rather than every couple of years. The quality of light is better tool, making your products appear fresher and more appetising. Some systems even let you adjust the colour and brightness to make different products look their best. 

Automatic defrosting 

Smart defrost systems are clever bits of kit that save energy and protect your stock. Instead of defrosting on a fixed timer (whether it’s needed or not), they monitor ice build-up and run only when necessary. This means fewer temperature fluctuations, less energy wastage and products that stay in better condition. During quiet winter days, your unit might defrost once instead of three times, while busy summer periods get the extra defrost cycles they need. 

Build quality 

The quality of insulation in your multideck affects everything from energy bills to product shelf life. Better insulated units maintain temperature more consistently, use less energy and cope better in warmer ambient conditions. So, check the thickness of insulation in the walls and base.  

When it comes to construction materials, stainless steel costs more but lasts forever. It won’t rust. It’s easy to clean. And it still looks professional after years of hard use.  

Powder-coated steel is perfectly adequate for many situations and costs less. But do check the quality of the coating. Cheap powder coating can chip away and peel, especially in busy retail environments. The back and sides don’t need to be stainless if they’re not visible, so you can save money there. 

The glass quality in your multideck matters a lot more than you’d think. In high-footfall environments, you want toughened safety glass that can handle the occasional knock from a trolley, busy customer or delivery cage. Single glazing tends to fog up constantly. Double glazing is better. But the best units use special low-emissivity (low-E) glass with heated edges. It stays crystal clear, even in humid conditions, and provides excellent insulation.  

Shelving and display options 

Adjustable shelving gives you the flexibility to accommodate different product sizes as well as seasonal changes. You want to adapt your layout quickly during quiet periods, not spend hours with allen keys and instruction manuals. Wire shelves allow for better air circulation, while solid shelves with price rails look neater and stop small items from falling through. 

Check the load capacity carefully. A shelf that bends under the weight of multipacks of cans or bottles isn’t much use. Most standard shelves can handle 40kg-60kg per metre, but you might need heavy-duty options rated for 80kg or more if you’re displaying lots of bottled drinks. The shelf edging is essential, too. Rolled edges are safer for your employees and prevents damage to packaging, while integrated price rails save you from having to buy separate ticket strips. 

Don’t underestimate how much these details matter, they all add up. Transparent pricing and good point-of-sale can increase your sales significantly. 

Creating consistency across all your refrigeration will make your store look more organised and professional. When all your multidecks match, with the same colour consistency, style and lighting, the whole shop will feel more cohesive. Your customers might not consciously notice, but that consistency will help create an impression of quality and attention to detail. It’s particularly effective if you’re refurbishing or opening a new store, and you can even retrofit your existing units with new panels to achieve a similar effect without replacing everything. 

Installation and setup 

Getting your shop ready before the multideck arrives will help save time and prevent any nasty surprises on delivery day.  

First, check that your electrical supply meets the unit’s requirements. Most multidecks need a dedicated circuit with the correct amperage. Your electrician should install an isolator switch within easy reach for emergencies and cleaning. Some units need a three-phase supply, which could mean significant electrical work if you don’t already have it. 

The floor where your multideck will sit needs to be strong enough to support a fully-loaded unit, which could be 500kg or more. It needs to be level too. Even a slight slope can affect how its doors close or cause water to pool during defrosting. If your floor is uneven, adjustable feet can compensate for minor variations. But anything noticeable usually needs proper levelling work. 

Professional installation is worth every penny, especially for your first unit. Yes, you might save a few hundred pounds doing it yourself, but installers know all the tricks. They know how to manoeuvre units through tight spaces, set up drainage correctly and calibrate the temperature controls for optimal performance. Most installation services include removing packaging, positioning the unit, connecting electrics (if pre-wired), setting up initial temperatures and checking everything works correctly. They’ll also take away all the packaging, which is surprisingly bulky. 

Bear in mind that during commissioning, your multideck needs time to stabilise before you load it with stock. Run it empty for at least four hours, checking temperatures reach the correct range across all shelves. Only then should you start loading products, beginning with the back and working forward.  

Be careful not to overload the shelves or block the air vents. Proper air circulation is essential.  

Train your staff too, so they know how to check temperatures, adjust shelves and spot potential problems before they become serious. 

How to spot common issues and troubleshooting 

Temperature fluctuations are usually the first sign that something’s not right with your multideck. If temperatures keep fluctuating, check the obvious things first.  

• Is the unit overloaded, blocking air circulation? 
• Are team members leaving doors open while restocking? 
• Is it positioned too close to a heat source, like a coffee machine or sunny window?  

Sometimes, simply moving your products back from the air outlets or adjusting your loading pattern solves the problem. 

Condensation can appear in various, frustrating ways.  

Water pooling at the front usually means blocked drain holes. 

Condensation on glass doors suggests the heated glass elements have failed or the door seals are damaged. If you’re seeing frost build-up on the evaporator when you shouldn’t, this means your defrost system may be playing up. These issues won’t fix themselves and will only get worse, increasing your running costs and potentially damaging your stock. 

You should call for professional help immediately if the temperatures don’t stay in the safe range, even after checking the basics.  

Strange noises like grinding, squealing or loud humming indicate mechanical problems that need urgent attention.  

And at the first sign of unusual scents or aromas, particularly a chemical smell that might be refrigerant, switch off the unit and call an engineer immediately. 

Water leaking onto your shop floor is another red flag, as is any electrical issue like flickering lights or tripping circuits. Don’t wait until Monday and risk something serious happening over the weekend.  

Emergency callout charges are nothing compared to losing your entire chilled stock. Or, worse, giving a customer food poisoning because you’ve sold them a spoiled product.