WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN PURCHASING A USED FREEZER

While shopping for a used commercial freezer, there are several key factors to take into consideration before you commit to purchase.

Some of my clients get wrapped up into the age of the unit. Though this is important, it is not as critical as the condition of the unit itself.
For example, we all have a grandparent with an old round top refrigerator that runs great — it just won’t die. They built freezers and coolers of days gone by much different from today’s. These “older” units are not nearly as efficient as the ones of today, and we have more options and features today. Plus, newer models are easier to use and maintain.

So what do we look for…and what are warning signs of a unit going bad? Some inside trade secrets and tips should help clarify the question:

1) Obviously it is important to ensure the unit runs and “pulls” temperature-gets cold! A thermometer is crucial here, and a digital thermometer is better yet. A digital thermometer shows temperature drops in tenths of a degree and is more accurate than traditional mercury filled thermometers. If you don’t have a digital thermometer (and why would the typical purchaser), then ask the salesman to borrow his.

2) Check the door gaskets. This is critical. A door gasket “seals” the unit and keeps the cold in. If you have a ripped or torn gasket, the unit will not be as efficient as they designed it to be. However, don’t allow a torn or ripped gasket to deter your purchase. A door gasket is fairly easy and inexpensive to replace. If the price for the unit is right, a gasket is an inexpensive and easy repair.

Pictured here are examples of non-sealing and ripped door gaskets…signs to look for when shopping for used equipment.

3) Is there water, oil, or other liquids on the floor underneath the unit? Without going into technical details, any fluid leaking from the unit typically is a bad sign. NOTE: all units do condensate and will therefore leak some water. This water is designed to be retained in an overflow pan at the base/bottom of the unit. This is common and ordinary and shouldn’t raise questions.

4) Inspect the cleanliness of the unit. If the unit is filthy, it shows how well it was maintained. A dirty unit will not last as long as a clean, well-maintained unit.

5) Check out the thermostat (if equipped). They design the thermostat to maintain temperature inside the cabinet, but it also tells the compressor when to run. If the thermostat is bad, it could prevent the unit from shutting off on temperature and can severely damage the compressor. How can you verify if the thermostat is good? 

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6) Do the lights work? NOTE: Most freezer lights will not come on until the unit gets to a certain temperature. Don’t panic or jump to conclusions when you first start a commercial grade freezer and the lights don’t come on. This is normal. If the lights do not come on there are several easy-to-look-for answers. First wait until the compressor shuts off, indicating the unit has reached the designed temperature. If the lights still do not work:

A) Check the bulbs. Keep in mind, in many units, if one bulb is bad, NONE of the lights will work.

B) Some units will have a “stater” which is an easy and inexpensive fix.

C) Most freezers have a ballast that runs the lights. If the ballast is bad, this can be an easy or very difficult to repair depending on its location and wiring. This is something an electrician or technician should deal with.

D) Another more technical reason for lights not working is lack of 110 voltage through the 220 voltage power source. Again, this will require an electrician or a certified / licensed technician.