Refrigerated Containers

Refrigerated containers — reefers — are insulated shipping containers with an integrated refrigeration unit, used for chilled and frozen storage on sites without a built cold room. They arrive as a finished cold room: position it, connect power, set the temperature. BWContainers supplies used and one-trip reefers in 10ft, 20ft and 40ft, delivered Australia-wide.

Sizes, including 10ft. Most suppliers stock 20ft and 40ft reefers only. We also carry 10ft units, which matters when the cold storage has to fit a small yard, a hospitality courtyard or a site where a 20ft cannot be placed. A 20ft reefer is the common choice for a working cold room, and 40ft high cube units give the largest chilled volume in one piece. Internal capacity of any reefer is smaller than a dry container of the same size, because the insulation and the machinery both take space.

Temperature range. Ranges vary by unit and by the condition of its machinery. Units in this range typically operate across both chilled and frozen settings — some hold from around -25°C through to +25°C — but the working range of any specific container should be confirmed before ordering, along with the condition and service history of the refrigeration plant. That machinery is the part that determines whether a used reefer is a bargain or a problem, so ask about it specifically rather than about the container.

Chilled, frozen, or just insulated. Three different jobs. If you need active temperature control, you need a working reefer with its machinery running. If you only need stable temperature and protection from heat swings — and can accept ambient — an insulated container without running machinery is cheaper to buy and costs nothing to run. If you need frozen rather than chilled, confirm the unit reaches and holds the temperature you need with the doors opening regularly, not just at best case.

Power at the standing position. This is the requirement people underestimate. A reefer needs a suitable power supply where it stands, and larger units commonly need three-phase power. Confirm the supply requirement for the specific unit before delivery, and have a licensed electrician assess the connection point. Running costs are real and continuous, unlike a dry container that costs nothing once placed. If the location has no adequate supply, that usually needs solving before the container arrives rather than after.

What they are used for. Overflow cold storage for food businesses, restaurants and caterers at peak periods; produce storage on farms; temporary cold rooms during a fitout or a breakdown; cold storage on remote sites where building one is impractical; and event and festival catering. Because a reefer is transportable, it can also move between sites seasonally rather than sitting idle.

Buying used. Reefers spend their working lives in demanding service, so condition matters more than with a dry box. Look at the refrigeration unit’s service history, whether it holds temperature under load rather than empty, the state of the door seals, and the condition of the interior lining and floor. Surface rust on the shell is cosmetic in the same way it is on any container; a tired compressor is not. Our new versus used comparison covers general condition grades, though for reefers the machinery is the deciding factor.

Delivery and siting. A reefer is heavier than a dry container of the same size and needs the same access assessment: clear straight approach, room to manoeuvre, firm level ground and overhead clearance. It also needs to sit level for the doors and drainage to work properly, and it must be positioned where the power connection can reach. Our delivery preparation guide covers approach, footings and drainage; add the power question to that list before you order.

What affects the price. Size, condition of both shell and machinery, whether the unit is one-trip or used, and delivery distance. Reefers cost considerably more than dry containers of the same size because of the insulation and the refrigeration plant. Current pricing is shown against the individual units below, and delivery is quoted for your address — our guide to container prices explains the drivers.

What temperature does a refrigerated container hold? It varies by unit. Reefers commonly operate across chilled and frozen ranges, with some holding from around -25°C to +25°C, but the working range and the machinery’s condition should be confirmed for the specific container before you order.

What size refrigerated containers are available? We supply 10ft, 20ft and 40ft reefers, including high cube units in 40ft. The 10ft is worth knowing about because most suppliers do not carry it, and it fits sites where a 20ft cannot go.

What power supply does a reefer need? A suitable supply at the standing position, and larger units commonly require three-phase power. Confirm the requirement for the specific unit and have a licensed electrician assess the connection before delivery.

Can a refrigerated container be used without running the refrigeration? Yes. An insulated container with the machinery off still buffers temperature swings far better than a standard dry container, and costs nothing to run. If you do not need active cooling, this is often the cheaper answer.

How much internal space does a reefer have? Less than a dry container of the same external size, because insulation and machinery occupy part of the shell. Compare the internal dimensions of the specific unit rather than assuming standard container figures — our dimensions guide covers dry container measurements for reference.

What should I check when buying a used reefer? The refrigeration unit above all: service history, whether it holds temperature under load, and how it sounds running. Then door seals, interior lining and floor condition. Shell rust is cosmetic; failing machinery is not.

Browse the refrigerated containers available below, or tell us what you need to store and at what temperature and we can work through the options.

Delivery. Flat $200 delivery Australia-wide, about 7-10 business days. That is one national rate rather than a price that changes with your postcode. Where a site needs a crane lift rather than a standard delivery, tell us the access and we will confirm what is involved.