Best Undercounter Fridge and Freezer for a Mobile Catering Van

by Liam
(Bedfordshire)

Undercounter fridge inside a mobile fish and chip van

Undercounter fridge inside a mobile fish and chip van

Hi Everyone,

Looking for any tips on good under counter fridge and freezers. I have a mobile van selling fish and chips and am looking into upgrading our current ones.

Are there any particular ones you would recommend?


Ideally we would like to have very wide fridge/freezers but are limited by the height under the counters. The max heights are as follows, but he width and depth are stretchable.

Freezer dimensions 830H 600W 600D
Fridge dimensions 870H 600w 600D

Also do you think its best to go for commercial stuff or are there any reliable domestic makes with would do the job? Its looking about double the price for commercial.

Im just looking for electric equipment as we just have uk sockets in the van run from a petrol genny, or from the 32 amp mains adapter.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks


Liam

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Apr 02, 2026
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by: MobCater

Hi Liam,

This is one of those things that's worth getting right because a decent fridge and freezer will last you years in a van, and a cheap one will let you down at the worst possible time.

On the commercial vs domestic question, I'd always go commercial if you can stretch the budget. The reason isn't just durability, it's that commercial undercounter units are designed to hold temperature in environments where the door is being opened and closed constantly, and where the ambient temperature around the unit can get warm (which it absolutely does inside a chip van on a busy service). Domestic units aren't built for that kind of use. They'll struggle to maintain temperature when you're pulling stock in and out all day, and your EHO will be checking those fridge temps every time they visit.

With your dimensions (830mm high for the freezer and 870mm for the fridge), you're looking at standard undercounter size, which is good because that's where most of the options are. For a fish and chip van, I'd look at single door undercounter units from brands like Polar, Williams, or Foster. Polar is the most budget-friendly and perfectly good for most mobile setups. Williams and Foster are a step up in build quality and will hold temperature better in a hot environment, but they come at a premium.

One thing to watch is the compressor type. Some cheaper units use static cooling, which can develop ice build-up and uneven temperatures. Forced air (fan-assisted) models distribute cold air more evenly and recover temperature faster after you open the door. For a fish and chip van where you're storing battered fish and frozen chips, that consistency matters.

On the power side, since you're running off a petrol generator or 32 amp mains, check the wattage and startup current of any unit before you buy. Compressors draw a spike when they kick in, and if your generator is borderline, it can trip. Most undercounter fridges run at around 100 to 150 watts, but the startup can be three or four times that for a brief moment.

My practical tip would be to measure your space twice and buy once. Take the internal dimensions of the gap, not just the space you think you have, because you need airflow around the condenser at the back. Leave at least 50mm clearance behind the unit or it will overheat and struggle.

Have a look on mobcater.com for equipment options and reviews. We cover fridges, freezers, and all the kit you need for a mobile setup.

All the best,

David

Disclaimer: This is based on my experience in UK mobile catering. Rules and costs can change, so always do your own research and check with the relevant authorities before committing.

Try the free MobCater App for a startup checklist and step-by-step guide: https://www.mobcater.co.uk/mobile-catering.html

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