20ft Reefer Container – Used, PTI Tested Refrigeration

How a Used 20ft Reefer Container Saves You on Cold Storage

Cold space is expensive to build and expensive to rent, which is why a used 20ft reefer container keeps turning up as the pragmatic answer. You are buying an insulated, food-grade box with a working refrigeration machine already bolted to one end, at a fraction of what it costs to frame, insulate and certify a walk-in from scratch. Prior service life shows in the paint, not in the ability to hold temperature.

The short length is a real advantage on constrained sites. A 20-footer backs into an alley behind a restaurant, fits along a fence line at a farm stand, or slots beside a production door where a 40-footer would block traffic. It also draws less power, which matters when you are working with whatever service the building already has.

Specifications at a Glance

• External dimensions: standard 20ft ISO footprint, 20' x 8' x 8'6"
• Usable interior: shorter and narrower than a 20ft dry box, since insulated panels line every surface and the machinery occupies one end
• Floor: T-bar aluminum decking for under-pallet air circulation
• Condition grade: used, inspected and confirmed wind and watertight with functional doors and seals
• Power: three-phase supply or a suitably sized generator; single-phase sites need a converter
• Delivery: flat $500 to all 50 states, scheduled after order confirmation and quoted by route

Practical Uses for a Mobile Cold Storage Container

Almost nobody buys one of these to ship cargo. They buy it to park cold capacity exactly where the product is handled.

• Restaurant, brewery and taproom overflow during peak season
• Farm stands, CSA operations and small packhouses holding harvest
• Florists and nurseries protecting stock ahead of a holiday rush
• Butchers and seafood suppliers separating chilled and frozen product
• Backup capacity for any facility whose walk-in is at the limit

Site Prep, Power and Ongoing Care

Set the box level on blocking or a compacted pad so condensate drains correctly and the doors seal without racking. Leave the machinery end clear for airflow and future service access, and mount the disconnect where an operator can reach it quickly. Budget for periodic refrigeration servicing the same way you would for any commercial cooling equipment, and keep the door gaskets clean, because a bad seal costs more in run time than any other single fault.

If your volume outgrows 20 feet, the used 40ft refrigerated containers double the floor area on the same site plan, and a purpose-built 20ft freezer container suits deep-freeze duty. See the wider selection in refrigerated containers and 20ft containers, and review our delivery terms before you schedule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a used reefer still hold freezer temperatures?

A used unit sold with working refrigeration is expected to reach and hold its rated range, but the achievable setpoint depends on that specific machine and its condition. Confirm the intended operating temperature with us before ordering so we can match you to a suitable unit. Ambient conditions, door discipline and gasket condition all affect real-world performance once it is on site.

How much power does a 20ft reefer draw?

Draw is highest during pull-down, when the machine is bringing a warm box down to setpoint, then it settles into a much lower cycling load. Because these units are built for three-phase service, sites without it will need a phase converter or generator sized by an electrician for the startup demand rather than the running demand.

Can I return it if the refrigeration does not suit my use?

Returns are accepted within 30 days. The buyer arranges and pays the haulage back to us, and a 15% restocking fee applies. Given the cost of moving a reefer twice, it is worth confirming the setpoint range, power supply and interior dimensions in advance. Our sales team can talk through those details before you commit.