20ft Refrigerated Container – Chilled and Frozen Storage

Choosing a 20ft Refrigerated Container for Sale

Temperature is the whole specification here. A 20ft refrigerated container for sale gives you an insulated, sealed box with a machine on one end that can hold a set point through summer heat, which is why perishable operations use them for storage as readily as for transport. If your product spoils, this is the size that puts controlled cold exactly where the work happens.

Reefers come in two very different forms, and buyers should be clear which one they need. A mechanically refrigerated unit runs and cools; a non-operational refrigerated (NOR) unit is a decommissioned reefer sold for its insulation alone.

Specifications at a Glance

• External dimensions: 20' L × 8' W × 8'6" H, matching a standard dry container
• Usable interior: reduced compared with a dry box, as the refrigeration unit occupies one end
• Temperature range: approximately +25°C to -25°C (about +77°F to -13°F) on three-phase units
• Power options: three-phase, with single-phase units also available
• Configurations: mechanically refrigerated or non-operational (NOR) insulated
• Interior: insulated panels with T-bar floor for airflow beneath pallets
• Preparation: pre-tripped and inspected before dispatch

Cold Storage Uses Beyond Shipping

Most reefers sold in the United States never see a ship again. They become fixed or semi-permanent cold rooms wherever a building could not be extended or a walk-in installed in time.

• Restaurant, butcher, and seafood overflow cold storage behind the premises
• Grower and packhouse holding for produce and cut flowers
• Catering and hospitality cold rooms for events and functions
• Film, festival, and remote worksite refrigeration on temporary ground
• Pharmaceutical, laboratory, and industrial storage with a controlled set point

Power, Siting, and Which Version to Buy

Reefers are demanding on electrical supply, and that is the decision most people underestimate. A running three-phase unit needs a suitable feed installed by a licensed electrician, and the condenser end needs clear air — do not tuck that end against a wall or fence. Set the container level so condensate drains as designed, and leave room to open the doors fully with a pallet truck. If you only need insulation, a NOR unit avoids the whole electrical question at a lower price, but it will only hold an ambient temperature, not create one. Compare running and non-working stock in the refrigerated container listings and the wider specialized container range. Two useful comparisons are the used 20ft reefer container and the larger 40ft working refrigerated container. Freight terms — a flat $500 to all 50 states, quoted by route — are in our delivery information.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a NOR container and when does it make sense?

A non-operational refrigerated container is a retired reefer with its machinery removed or disabled, sold as a heavily insulated box. It cannot cool, but it resists temperature swings far better than a dry container. It suits buyers holding goods at a stable ambient temperature, or anyone planning to fit their own refrigeration system later.

Why is the interior smaller than a standard 20ft container?

Two reasons. The refrigeration unit takes up one end of the box, and the walls, roof, and floor carry thick insulation that eats into every internal dimension. External dimensions match a standard 20-footer exactly, which keeps handling and transport identical, but plan your racking and pallet layout around the reduced interior.

What power supply does a working reefer need?

Most units are three-phase and require a properly rated supply installed by a licensed electrician; single-phase models are available where three-phase is not an option. Confirm what is at your site before ordering, because retrofitting a supply is usually the largest cost in the project. On remote sites, a suitably sized generator is the common alternative.