k88q4ynzgqd9ty5o

New vs Second-Hand Commercial Fridges | Robertson's Refrigeration

Tue, 26 May 2026 01:53:08 GMT

Choosing the right commercial fridge is one of those decisions that can quietly affect your business for years. Buy the wrong unit and you're looking at higher running costs, unexpected breakdowns, or a compressor replacement before you've even recouped the purchase price. Whether you're setting up a new café in Geelong, expanding a kitchen on the Bellarine Peninsula, or replacing a tired unit at a pub on the Surf Coast, the new versus second-hand question comes up almost every time. Here's how we think about it after nearly 40 years in commercial refrigeration.

The case for buying new

New commercial refrigeration equipment comes with obvious advantages, and for many businesses they're hard to argue with.

The biggest one is the warranty. A new fridge or freezer typically comes with a manufacturer's warranty covering parts and labour for at least twelve months, sometimes more. That peace of mind matters when the unit is running 24 hours a day in a commercial environment.

Energy efficiency is another genuine consideration. Refrigeration technology has improved substantially over the past decade. Newer units run on more efficient compressors and refrigerants, which translates directly to lower electricity bills month after month. For a business running multiple units, the savings add up.

You also get the latest features -- programmable temperature controls, better door seals, improved airflow design -- and the unit arrives clean, calibrated, and ready to go.

Finance options are worth mentioning too. Many suppliers offer equipment finance on new units, which means you can spread the cost rather than taking a large hit on cash flow upfront. For a growing business, that flexibility has real value.

The case for buying second-hand

Second-hand commercial refrigeration gets a bad reputation it doesn't always deserve. The reality is that commercial-grade equipment is built to last, and a well-maintained unit from a reputable source can serve a business reliably for years.

The upfront cost saving is the obvious drawcard. A quality used commercial fridge or freezer can cost significantly less than its new equivalent, which matters a great deal for startups, pop-up operations, or businesses that need a short-term solution while they grow.

There's also a practical fit for businesses with lower usage demands. A small deli or a market stall doesn't necessarily need a brand-new unit with all the bells and whistles -- a solid, inspected second-hand unit can do the job at a fraction of the cost.

We stock quality used commercial refrigeration at Robertson's, and every unit we sell has been checked over before it leaves us. That's a different proposition from buying something untested off a classifieds site.

What to inspect before buying second-hand

If you're considering a used unit, there are a few things worth checking carefully before you commit.

Compressor age and condition. The compressor is the heart of any refrigeration unit. Ask how old it is and whether it's been serviced. A compressor nearing the end of its life on a cheap unit isn't actually a bargain.

Door seals. Worn or cracked door seals make a unit work harder to hold temperature, which drives up running costs and puts strain on the compressor. Seals can be replaced, but factor that into the price.

Refrigerant history. Ask whether the unit has ever had a refrigerant leak and whether it's been repaired properly. Ongoing refrigerant issues are a headache you don't want.

Service records. A well-documented service history is a good sign. It suggests the previous owner took care of the unit and that any issues were addressed along the way.

If you're not sure what you're looking at, it's worth having a refrigeration technician inspect the unit before purchase. That's a small cost that can save a much larger one.

How Robertson's can help

We sell both new and quality second-hand commercial refrigeration, and we've been doing it in Geelong since 1986. When a customer comes to us, we don't push them toward one option or the other -- we ask about their business, their budget, their usage, and their plans, and we give them an honest recommendation based on that.

If a new unit makes more sense, we can talk through what's available and help with the selection. If a used unit is a better fit, we'll make sure it's been properly checked and is right for what you need. We also handle installation, ongoing maintenance, and repairs, so we're here after the sale too.

Serving Geelong and the surrounding region -- including Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, Colac, and Golden Plains -- we're a local business that relies on local referrals. That means giving advice we'd be comfortable standing behind.

Ready to talk through your options? Give us a call on 03 5221 2500 or send us an email at enquiries@robertsonsrefrig.com.au. We're happy to help you find the right unit for your business without any pressure.

What we have in stock at the moment

This brand new GDM650-HG-BL-B - 1 door Tropicalised BLACK commercial refrigerator 630 Litres. Its yours for $2500 + GST delivered around the Geelong surrounding area

Pre-Winter Refrigeration Checklist: Get Your Coolroom Ready Before the Cold Sets In

Fri, 22 May 2026 03:00:00 GMT

Winter is knocking on the door, and while you might be thinking about heaters and hot drinks, your commercial refrigeration equipment is quietly preparing for one of its most demanding periods. A few hours spent checking your coolroom now can save you days of lost stock, unexpected repair bills, and the headache of chasing down a technician in the middle of a cold snap. Here is what we recommend to our customers across Geelong and the surrounding region every year as the temperature drops.

Why Winter Is Actually Harder on Refrigeration Than You'd Think

Most people assume refrigeration runs easier in winter because the ambient temperature is lower. In some ways that is true, but it also creates a set of problems that catch a lot of operators off guard.

When the temperature outside drops, the pressure differential inside your refrigeration system changes. Refrigerant behaves differently in cold ambient conditions, and compressors can struggle to operate within their designed parameters if they were not set up with seasonal variation in mind. Condensate drainage can also freeze or slow significantly, leading to ice build-up inside the unit.

There is also the issue of fluctuating temperatures during transitional weather. Geelong winters are notoriously inconsistent, with warm afternoons followed by cold nights. Those swings put repeated stress on door seals, gaskets, and temperature controls. Equipment that was running fine through summer may start showing its weak points right about now.

Your Pre-Winter Coolroom Maintenance Checklist

Work through these checks before the end of May, and you will head into winter in solid shape.

1. Inspect door seals and gaskets

Close the door on a piece of paper and try to pull it out. If it slides free with little resistance, the seal is worn and needs replacing. Damaged seals are one of the most common causes of a coolroom working harder than it should, running up your energy bill and putting strain on the compressor.

2. Clean the condenser coils

Condenser coils draw heat away from the refrigeration system. When they are coated in dust and grease, they cannot do their job efficiently. Give them a thorough clean before winter, and schedule a proper service if they have not been professionally cleaned in the past six months.

3. Check temperature calibration

Use a calibrated thermometer to verify that your coolroom is actually holding the temperature shown on the display. Controllers can drift over time, and a unit reading 2°C but actually sitting at 5°C is a food safety risk you do not want heading into a busy winter trading period.

4. Inspect insulation panels

Look for any cracking, soft spots, or visible gaps in your coolroom panels. Insulation damage lets warm air in and cold air out, and it only gets worse over winter. Small repairs now are far cheaper than replacing a full panel later.

5. Clear and test drainage

Blocked drains lead to water pooling on the floor and ice build-up inside the unit. Pour a small amount of water into the drain channel and make sure it clears freely. If it is slow or blocked, clear it out or have it professionally inspected.

6. Check refrigerant levels

Low refrigerant is a sign of a leak somewhere in the system. Symptoms include the unit running constantly, ice forming where it should not, or temperatures that will not come down to setpoint. Refrigerant checks require a licensed technician, so this one is worth booking in as part of a service.

What You Can Check Yourself vs. When to Call a Technician

Several of the checks above are things any business owner or kitchen manager can do: testing door seals, visually inspecting panels, checking drainage, and comparing the displayed temperature against a separate thermometer. These are quick, require no tools, and take about 20 minutes.

Anything involving the refrigerant circuit, electrical components, condenser cleaning inside the unit, or controller calibration adjustments should be handled by a qualified refrigeration mechanic. Attempting these without the right tools and licenses can void your warranty, damage the system, or create safety hazards.

If you are unsure about anything you find during your self-check, it is always worth a call. We are happy to advise over the phone whether something needs a visit or whether you can manage it yourself.

Book Ahead -- Winter Is a Busy Time for Refrigeration Techs

Every year, we see the same pattern across Geelong and the wider region, from the Bellarine Peninsula out to Colac and the Surf Coast: as soon as the cold weather hits and equipment starts acting up, the phone gets busy. Businesses that have not done pre-winter maintenance start calling all at once, and lead times for non-emergency callouts stretch out.

If you book a preventative maintenance visit in May or early June, you will get the attention your equipment needs before demand peaks. You will also be at the front of the queue if anything turns out to need more substantial work.

We have been servicing commercial refrigeration in Geelong since 1986, and pre-winter is one of the most valuable times of year to have a professional set of eyes on your equipment. A maintenance visit covers everything on the checklist above and gives you a clear picture of what is working well and what might need attention down the track.

To book a pre-winter service or to ask us about any of the checks above, call us on 03 5221 2500 or send an email to enquiries@robertsonsrefrig.com.au. We service Geelong and surrounds, including the Bellarine Peninsula, Surf Coast, Colac, and Golden Plains.

How Often Should a Commercial Coolroom Be Serviced? (And What Happens If You Don't)

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:58:17 GMT

M ost commercial coolrooms run 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, which means the wear on your system adds up faster than you might expect. For a lot of businesses, the coolroom only gets attention when something goes wrong -- and by that point, the repair bill is usually much bigger than it needed to be.

Here is what we recommend to our customers across Geelong, and why it matters more than most people realise.

The Short Answer: At Least Once a Year, Ideally Twice

For most commercial coolrooms, a professional service every six months is the standard. That applies to walk-in coolrooms, refrigerated display cabinets, and commercial freezers that are in regular daily use.

If your coolroom is in a busy kitchen, a high-traffic retail environment, or runs in a hot or dusty space -- common in Geelong's industrial and hospitality sectors -- quarterly servicing is the smarter choice. The harder your system works, the faster components wear, and the more often a technician should be checking it over.

Newer equipment under light use can sometimes get away with an annual service, but even then, we would not push past 12 months.

What Actually Gets Done in a Coolroom Service

A proper service is not just a visual inspection. When we service a coolroom, we are checking and attending to:

Condenser and evaporator coils -- cleaned to prevent heat buildup and inefficient operation
Door seals and gaskets -- inspected for wear, tears, or gaps that let warm air in
Refrigerant levels -- checked and topped up if required
Thermostat and temperature controls -- calibrated to confirm the unit is holding the correct temperature
Fans and motors -- checked for noise, vibration, and correct airflow
Drainage systems -- cleared to prevent ice buildup and water damage
Electrical connections -- checked for safety and reliability

A full service typically takes around one to two hours depending on the size and complexity of the system.

What Happens When You Skip Maintenance

This is where businesses tend to get caught out. A coolroom that is not serviced regularly does not suddenly fail overnight -- it gradually becomes less efficient and more prone to breakdowns. Here is what typically happens:

Running costs go up. Dirty condenser coils force the compressor to work harder, which draws more power. We regularly see businesses whose power bills drop noticeably after a proper clean and service.

Temperatures become unreliable. If the thermostat has drifted or the refrigerant is low, your coolroom may appear to be running fine but actually holding a temperature that is too high for food safety compliance.

Small problems become big ones. A worn door seal is a cheap fix. Left unchecked, the extra moisture and heat load it creates can eventually damage insulation panels, fans, and compressor components -- repairs that cost considerably more.

Breakdowns happen at the worst time. In our experience servicing businesses across Geelong and the surrounding region, coolroom failures tend to peak over summer, during school holidays, and on long weekends -- exactly when businesses are busiest and parts or technicians are hardest to get quickly.

Seasonal Considerations in the Geelong Region

Geelong summers put commercial refrigeration systems under real pressure. When the ambient temperature is high, your coolroom has to work significantly harder to maintain the correct internal temperature, which accelerates wear on the compressor and condenser.

We recommend scheduling a service in spring -- October or November -- to make sure everything is in good shape before the heat arrives. A second service in autumn covers you for the rest of the year and addresses anything that may have been strained over summer.

If you run a hospitality venue on the Bellarine Peninsula or Surf Coast where business ramps up sharply over the holiday period, getting in before December is particularly important. The last thing you want is a coolroom struggling on a 35-degree January day with a full house.

How to Set Up a Maintenance Schedule

The easiest way to stay on top of coolroom servicing is to set up a recurring arrangement with a trusted refrigeration technician. We offer preventative maintenance plans for businesses across Geelong and the surrounding 100 km, tailored to the size of your system and how hard it works.

A maintenance plan means you are not trying to remember when the last service was, and it means we already know your system when we show up -- which saves time and reduces the chance of something being missed.

Talk to Robertson's Refrigeration

We have been servicing commercial refrigeration in Geelong since 1986, and we work with restaurants, cafes, butchers, supermarkets, florists, and food producers right across the region.

If you are not sure when your coolroom was last serviced, or you want to set up a regular maintenance schedule, give us a call on 03 5221 2500 or send an email to enquiries@robertsonsrefrig.com.au. We will give you straight advice and a quote without any pressure.