Commercial Multideck Display Fridge Buying Guide: The Complete UK Guide (2026)

Q: Why should I buy glass-door when open-front is cheaper upfront?

Glass-door units cost £600–£1,200 more upfront but save £738/year in energy on a 1m unit. Break-even is 1–1.5 years; after that it's pure saving.

Q: Is R290 safe? I've heard propane is flammable.

R290 is permitted by F-Gas Regulation for commercial display cabinets because the charge weight is tiny (typically 150g). At that dose, the safety risk is negligible.

Q: Can I use a Class 3 (M3) cabinet in a warm shop?

No. Class 3 is rated for 25°C ambient. If your shop exceeds that on summer days, the cabinet will not maintain 8°C. Specify Class 4 (H4) for warm spaces.

Q: What's the difference between Frost-Tech, Polar, and Tefcold?

Frost-Tech is the robust mid-range UK workhorse. Polar is strong on value grab-and-go displays. Tefcold is Danish premium with higher efficiency — costs 20–30% more.

Q: Do I need a remote condenser system, or will plug-in do?

Plug-in is simpler for 1–2 units. For 3+ metres of display, remote condenser saves 10–15% energy and pays back in 3–4 years.

Q: How do I know if a cabinet meets EU 2019/2024 Tier 2?

Ask the supplier for the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) rating. It should be ≤80% for most multidecks; ≤65% for vertical supermarket cabinets.

Q: Can night blinds save me money on an open-front unit?

Yes. Motorised night blinds drop overnight energy by 30–50%, recovering roughly £350–£520/year. Payback is 1.5–2 years.

Q: What warranty does Craven offer, and how long is the lead time?

Stocked units (Frost-Tech, Polar) ship in 5–10 days. Lead-gen brands (Tefcold, Williams, Cossiga, Arneg) typically 4–8 weeks. All come with 2-year manufacturer warranty.

Alex Craven
July 12, 2026

Commercial Multideck Display Fridge Buying Guide: The Complete UK Guide (2026)

A multideck display fridge — the stacked glass-fronted chilled cabinet lining convenience store counters, takeaway service lines, hotel grab-and-go sections, and delicatessen departments — is the single most-specified piece of commercial kitchen equipment in the UK. This guide cuts through manufacturer spec sheets to cover the three decisions that matter on purchase day: EU 2019/2024 EcoDesign Tier 2 compliance (mandatory since September 2023), open-front vs glass-door energy economics (£738/year gap on a 1m unit), and matching the right brand to your operation instead of the operation to one catalogue. We cover climate class M3 vs H4, F-Gas refrigerant rules, night blind payback timescales, and featured multideck ranges from Frost-Tech, Polar, Tefcold, Williams, Cossiga, Oscartielle and Arneg — because Craven Cooling stocks from 12+ brands, not one.

Key Facts: Commercial Multideck Display Fridges (UK, 2026)

EU 2019/2024 EcoDesign Tier 2 (mandatory since 1 Sept 2023): all new commercial display cabinets must meet EEI ≤80%; vertical supermarket cabinets EEI <65%. Cabinets not meeting Tier 2 cannot be placed on UK market. This is the single biggest 2026 spec change — old stock is officially obsolete.
Energy gap: glass-door vs open-front 1m multideck: glass-door ~3.0 kWh/24h, open-front ~10.5 kWh/24h. At 27p/kWh (UK non-domestic 2026), that’s £296/year vs £1,034/year — a £738/year payback gap. Night blinds on open-fronts recover 30–50% of that loss for roughly £800–£1,200 per unit.
Climate Class M3 (Class 3) standard: 25°C ambient, 60% RH — typical UK retail. Class H4 (Class 4) for warm/poorly-ventilated spaces: 30°C, 55% RH. Buying wrong climate class = cabinet fails in summer peak — verify this in writing on any quote.
F-Gas update: virgin HFC GWP >2500 banned from 1 January 2020. All new multidecks ship with R290 (propane, GWP 3) or R600a (isobutane, GWP <1). Confirm refrigerant on every order — grey importers still move older stock.
Capacity decoder: a standard 1.0m (1000mm) multideck with 4 shelves holds ~85–110 display units (depending on product type: compact jars, cans, bottles, or meal trays). A 1.3m unit ~110–140. A 2.0m unit ~180–230. Linear metre matters more than headline litres — plan for peak-service stocking plus 24h reload window.
UK price tiers (ex VAT, April 2026): entry compact 0.9m glass-door 600–1000L £1,200–£1,600; mid-range 1.3m multideck 900L–1300L £1,600–£2,400; open-front supermarket-grade 2.0m+ remote condenser £2,800–£5,500+; premium Italian/Danish brands (Cossiga, Williams) same footprint +40–60% premium.
Night blinds for open-front: motorised blinds drop energy consumption 30–50% overnight. Payback 1–2 years. Not statutory but strongly recommended by EHO and insurance underwriters for competitive running cost on busy service lines.
Plug-in vs remote condenser: plug-in (integral compressor) for 1–2 units, dumps heat into shop, simpler wiring. Remote for runs of 3+ units — heat removed to plant room/exterior, lowers running cost by 10–15%, specialist install. Craven sources both patterns across 12+ brands.

The multideck display fridge is the most-underspecified piece of equipment in UK food retail. Convenience store managers buy on price alone; hotel procurement buys on the cheapest compliance tick; restaurant kitchens inherit whatever was there five years ago. The result: cabinets that miss EU energy standards by a country mile, display surfaces that sweat and frost in summer, and running costs 50% higher than they need to be.

This guide is written for the trade buyer making that decision: convenience store owner, hotel F&B operations, restaurant/takeaway chain, supermarket buyer, catering kitchen manager, or food retail operator specifying multideck refrigeration for the first time. We cover the three non-negotiable specifications (EcoDesign Tier 2, climate class, refrigerant type), the energy maths everyone gets wrong, how to read capacity spec correctly, and how Craven Cooling’s multi-brand sourcing strategy — stocking from Frost-Tech to Cossiga to Arneg — matches the right cabinet to your operation instead of forcing your operation into one brand’s catalogue.

Browse now: View commercial multideck display fridges at Craven Cooling →

In this guide ↓

Key facts and 2026 UK compliance reference numbers
Three critical decisions: open-front vs glass-door, plug-in vs remote, climate class M3 vs H4
Energy cost maths and payback timescales
Multideck decoder: capacity by footprint and product type
UK price tiers — what each band buys you
Featured stocked and lead-gen products: Frost-Tech, Polar, Tefcold, Williams, Cossiga, Oscartielle, Arneg
Total cost of ownership calculator worked example
UK compliance checklist: EU 2019/2024, F-Gas, BS EN ISO 23953, food temp regs
Installation and operation checklist
FAQ — eight buyer objections answered

£738 Year 1 energy saving: glass-door vs open-front 1m multideck (27p/kWh)

80% EEI cap for EU 2019/2024 Tier 2 compliance (mandatory Sept 2023)

12+ Commercial display brands stocked/sourced by Craven — match the right one to your operation

🎯

The multi-brand advantage Craven Cooling sources from 12+ commercial display refrigeration brands — Frost-Tech, Polar, Tefcold, Williams, Cossiga, GEMM, Igloo, Tecnodom, Oscartielle, Arctica, Arneg, and more. This is the differentiation single-brand competitors cannot match. Different operations need different brands: Frost-Tech for UK-robust multideck, Polar for mid-tier grab-and-go value, Williams for premium spec, Cossiga for Italian aesthetics in banqueting, Arneg for supermarket-grade systems. We match the brand to your operation — not the operation to one catalogue. That spec freedom is why food retailers and hotel chains trust us. Get in touch with our sales team to discuss your multideck spec, and we’ll recommend the right brand profile for your site, your service style, and your budget.

1:1 Consultancy per spec — phone 01792 732702

Decision 1: Open-Front vs Glass-Door Multideck

This is the single biggest specification decision on a multideck — and the energy maths are so polarised that it’s surprising buyers don’t run them more often. On a 1.0m unit, the difference is not small:

Table: Open-Front vs Glass-Door Energy and Cost Comparison (UK 2026)
Specification	Open-front multideck (1.0m)	Glass-door multideck (1.0m)
Daily energy (25°C ambient)	~10.5 kWh/24h	~3.0 kWh/24h
Annual consumption	3,832 kWh	1,095 kWh
Annual cost @ 27p/kWh	£1,034	£296
Year 1 energy saving	£738
EEI rating (Energy Efficiency Index)	75–85 (open-front typically higher)	45–65 (better compliance margin)
Customer visibility	Unobstructed — perfect for self-select takeaway	Through glass — slight product blur in busy areas
Staff restocking speed	Full-width fast access	Hinge or slide doors — one shelf at a time
Night-time payback add-on	Night blinds recover 30–50% (~£350–£520/year), payback 1.5–2 years	Night blinds add £5–10k/unit for 10% gain — not cost-effective
Best for	Busy takeaway, convenience store self-select, visible product display	Hotel grab-and-go, quieter retail, energy-conscious operators

The payback case: on a busy sandwich bar or takeaway, the cost difference between an open-front and glass-door multideck is the energy saving alone. A glass-door 1m unit saves £738/year. The price premium for glass doors is typically £600–£1,200 per unit. That’s a 1–1.5 year payback. After that, every year is pure saving. For a hotel grab-and-go holding pre-packed breakfast items, glass-door is usually right. For a busy convenience store where customers need to see the chilled sandwich rows, open-front makes sense — but add motorised night blinds (£800–£1,200 per unit) and recoup 30–50% of the energy gap overnight. The blinds pay back in 1–2 years if you’re running 16+ hours of 24-hour operation.

Decision 2: Plug-In (Integral) vs Remote Condenser

The location of the refrigeration system — in the cabinet base, or in an external plant room — determines installation cost, running cost, and scalability:

Factor	Plug-in (integral compressor)	Remote condenser system
Best for how many units?	1–2 cabinets	3+ cabinets in a run
Heat rejection	Dumped into shop — increases air-con load in summer	Ducted to plant room or exterior — no shop heat load
Installation cost	£0–£200 (plug and play)	£1,500–£3,500 (pipework, electrical, ducting)
Running cost saving vs plug-in	—	10–15% annual energy saving (condenser efficiency)
Space requirement	Cabinet footprint only	Plant room, roof, or dedicated external space needed
Noise	Compressor hum in shop	Condenser noise isolated to plant area
Maintenance access	On-site, rapid engineer visit	Plant room access needed — usually simpler for engineer
Best-for scenarios	Hotel 1–2 cabinet grab-and-go; small café; retrofit where space is tight	Supermarket, large convenience store, catering kitchen with 4+ metres of display

Remote condenser TCO note A remote condenser system for 4×1.3m multidecks (supermarket typical) costs ~£2,000–£3,500 to install, but saves ~£600–£900/year in energy on a 5-year horizon (10–15% running cost reduction). Break-even is 3–4 years for sites where you’re confident the cabinet run will stay. For 1–2 temporary units or pop-up sites, plug-in is simpler.

Decision 3: Climate Class M3 vs H4

Climate class determines whether a cabinet will actually maintain temperature on a hot July day in a poorly-ventilated retail space or a sunny window:

Table: Climate Class Specification (BS EN ISO 23953)
Climate Class	Ambient temp	Humidity	Best for	Risk if mis-specified
Class 3 (M3)	25°C	60% RH	Typical UK retail environment, air-conditioned shops, closed kitchens	None if environment is genuinely 25°C max
Class 4 (H4)	30°C	55% RH	Warm/poorly-ventilated retail, outdoor catering, sun-exposed windows, edge-of-kitchen deployment	Class 3 cabinet fails in summer — temperature rises above 8°C, breach of Reg 852/2004
Class 2 (Colder)	16°C	63% RH	Very cold retail (rare in UK)	—
Class 5 (Tropical)	40°C	40% RH	Outdoor hot-climate catering (Middle East, etc.)	—

Climate class mis-specification is a common compliance fail A Class 3 (M3) multideck specified for a poorly-ventilated window-front convenience store will not maintain 8°C on a sunny 28°C summer day. The cabinet will sit at 10–12°C, triggering EHO logs, customer complaints, and potential food safety breaches. Always ask: “Is this retail space air-conditioned? Is there direct sun on the cabinet? Is the kitchen/shop below 25°C at peak summer?” If you answer no to any, spec Class 4 (H4). The energy penalty for Class 4 is ~2–3% in cooler months — well worth the certainty.

Five Types of Multideck Display Fridges

Compact Glass-Door Multideck

600–900 L, 0.9–1.0m wide

Paired hinged or single slide doors
3–4 shelves
15–25°C temp zone
Best for: hotel grab-and-go, small café, integrated kitchen display

Standard 1.3m Multideck

1000–1300 L, mid-range workhorse

Open-front or paired glass doors
4–5 shelves
2–8°C fresh/deli display
Best for: sandwich bar, convenience store, deli counter

Extended 2.0m Open-Front

1500–2000 L, high-volume retail

Single open display face, no doors
5–6 shelves
Night blind retractable
Best for: supermarket, large convenience store, 24h retail

Dual Compact 2×0.9m

Two narrow units side-by-side

Modular placement flexibility
Separate or joined thermostats
600–900 L each
Best for: small retail, retrofit tight spaces

Supermarket-Grade Remote System

2.5m+ bays, plug-in to central plant

5–8 shelves, modular bays
2000–3500+ L per run
Remote condenser heat rejection
Best for: large supermarket, foodservice distribution, catering chains

The Multideck Capacity Decoder

Manufacturers publish capacity in litres. That number tells you volume, not what you can actually stock. A 1.3m multideck holds very different quantities of cans vs bottles vs meal trays. Here’s the real-world decoder:

Table: Multideck Capacity by Footprint and Product Type (Typical UK Retail)
Unit size	Capacity (L)	Compact cans (330ml)	Bottles (500–600ml)	Meal trays (250–350g)	Sandwich packs
0.9m wide	600–700 L	~85–110	~45–60	~70–90	~60–80
1.0m wide (standard)	900–1000 L	~110–140	~60–80	~90–120	~80–110
1.3m wide	1200–1400 L	~160–180	~85–110	~130–170	~110–150
2.0m wide	1800–2200 L	~240–280	~130–160	~200–260	~170–220

Capacity sanity check: a busy sandwich bar moving 150 sandwich packs per lunchtime service needs at least 100 packs in display at peak (75–80% stock level to avoid gaps). A 1.3m multideck holds ~110–150 sandwich packs — just right. A 1.0m unit (~80–110) is tight; a 0.9m (~60–80) is too small. For a convenience store’s mixed-product display (cans, bottles, meal trays, salads), plan for 30–40% of each section — a 1.3m handles mixed stock; a 2.0m is needed if you’re running multiple product categories per site.

UK Price Tiers: What Each Band Buys You (April 2026)

Entry £1,200–£1,600 Compact 600–800 L glass-door, standard compressor, plastic trim, basic controls

Mid-Range £1,600–£2,400 1.3m multideck 1000–1300 L, open-front or doors, LED lighting, electronic thermostat, R290/R600a

Premium £2,400–£3,800 2.0m+ open-front, stainless steel, modular shelving, EEI <65%, night blind option, Danish/Italian brands

Supermarket-Grade £3,500–£6,000+ 2.5m+ remote plant system, modular bays, integral lighting, specialist finishes, Arneg/Oscartielle factory spec

Featured Multideck Ranges: Stocked and Lead-Gen

In Stock Frost-Tech SD75-100SHU-HCMK11

£3,351 ex VAT Stainless steel

1000mm wide, 4 shelves
R290 refrigerant, Climate Class 3
Energy F rating (EEI 78)
13A single phase
UK-built robust spec

The Frost-Tech SD75 series is the workhorse of UK multideck retail — stainless steel construction, proven reliability, and energy-compliant R290 refrigerant. Standard 5–10 day dispatch.

View full spec →

In Stock Polar G-Series GP485 Multideck

£1,442 ex VAT Mid-tier value

Double glass doors, 744 L
8 shelves, 2–8°C display
R290, Energy Class B
220–240V single phase
Grab-and-go optimised

Polar’s G-Series is the mid-tier standard for UK hotel grab-and-go and small convenience stores. Strong energy rating, reliable door mechanisms, competitive pricing. Best for light-to-medium duty retail display.

View full spec →

Lead-Gen Tefcold Galaxy Multideck

£2,100–£2,800 estimate, ex VAT Danish premium

1.3m+ glass or open-front
R290, Climate Class 3–4
EEI <70 (Tier 2 compliant)
Modular shelving system
Premium thermal insulation

Tefcold’s Galaxy range is the premium Danish alternative — higher energy efficiency margins, modular design, and aesthetic finish. Lead-gen enquiry; contact us for full spec and lead time quote.

Request Tefcold quote →

Lead-Gen Williams MJM Marquesa Multideck

£2,600–£3,500 estimate, ex VAT UK premium

1.3–2.0m open-front luxury
Stainless steel, night blind option
R290, EEI <65
Modular expandable design
Premium UK-built spec

Williams Marquesa is the premium UK multideck for upmarket retailers and hospitality. Stainless steel, advanced controls, and energy-optimised design. Lead-gen; contact us for specification and supply timeline.

Request Williams quote →

Lead-Gen Cossiga Premium Display Cabinet

£2,800–£4,200 estimate, ex VAT Italian premium

1.3–2.0m stainless steel
Advanced aesthetic finishes
R290, EcoDesign Tier 2 certified
Banqueting-grade spec
Remote condenser compatible

Cossiga multidecks are the Italian premium choice for upmarket hotels and banqueting. Exceptional finish, modular design, remote system ready. Lead-gen enquiry — contact us for full spec and pricing.

Request Cossiga quote →

Lead-Gen Oscartielle / Arneg Supermarket-Grade

£3,500–£6,500+ estimate, ex VAT Retail-grade systems

2.5m+ modular bays
Remote central plant option
EEI <65 (vertical standard)
Integral night blinds
Supermarket-scale output

Oscartielle and Arneg are the go-to brands for large supermarket and foodservice distribution chains. Modular, scalable, remote-plant optimised. Lead-gen; speak to our team about your site requirements.

Request supermarket spec →

Total Cost of Ownership: Year 1 Worked Example

TCO for a 1.3m Glass-Door Multideck in a UK Convenience Store (Year 1)

Equipment cost (ex VAT) £1,800

VAT @ 20% £360

Installation, plumbing, electrical (estimate) £400–£600

Total capital Year 1 £2,560–£2,760

Annual energy (3.5 kWh/24h × 365 × £0.27) £346

Planned maintenance, filter, compressor check £150–£200

Unplanned repairs (assume 5% of capex, normalised) £90–£140

Total operating cost Year 1 £586–£686

Year 1 total cost of ownership: £3,146–£3,446

Comparison: an open-front 1.3m unit @ 10 kWh/24h = £987/year energy alone. Over 5 years, glass-door saves ~£3,200 in energy vs open-front (before night blinds payback on open-front). Leasing option: from £1,200+ VAT/month via Kennet Finance.

UK Compliance Checklist

EU 2019/2024 EcoDesign Tier 2 (mandatory since 1 Sept 2023)

Confirm EEI ≤80% (vertical supermarket cabinets ≤65%) on the spec sheet before ordering. Any cabinet not meeting this standard cannot legally be placed on UK market from Sept 2023. Ask the supplier: “Is the EEI rating certified and CE/UKCA marked?” Request the EU product fiche.

F-Gas Regulation (EC 517/2014 retained)

Confirm refrigerant type in writing: R290, R600a, or R744 only. Do not accept R134a, R404A, or R422D. Virgin HFC with GWP >2500 is banned from 1 January 2020 for new equipment. Check the spec sheet or request the technical data sheet (TDS) which states the refrigerant and charge weight.

BS EN ISO 23953:2023 Display Cabinet Standard

All commercial display cabinets sold in the UK must be tested and marked to BS EN ISO 23953. Verify CE or UKCA marking on the unit. This standard covers temperature classification (M0–L3), climate class (2–5), and testing methods. Your multideck must meet your chosen temperature class (typically M2 or H2 for fresh retail).

BS EN 12150 Toughened Glass & Customer Safety

All customer-facing glass on display cabinets must be toughened glass to BS EN 12150 — fractures into small safe granules, not shards. Supplier must confirm BS EN 12150 certification for all door panes. This is a legal requirement for display cabinets in public areas.

Food Temperature Regulation 852/2004 (retained)

Display temperature must not exceed 8°C (target 5°C) for chilled fresh food. Install a calibrated thermometer probe on the warmest shelf. Log temperatures twice daily (morning/evening). Retain 12-month logs for EHO inspection. Multideck should come with temperature controller — verify it’s accurate to ±0.5°C.

PAT Testing (Electrical Safety)

All portable appliances (including plug-in multidecks) must be tested under EAW 1989 (UK electrical safety standard equivalent to IEC 60730) before first use and annually thereafter. Supplier should provide CE declaration of conformity. For hard-wired units, installation must be by a registered electrician — request an EICR (Electrical Installation Condition Report) post-install.

Installation and Operation Checklist

✓ Delivery & siting
Verify delivery address, access, and levelling requirements before installation. Multidecks must be on a level, well-ventilated surface with 200mm clearance on rear for airflow. Check door swing clearance if hinged (1,050mm for a 900mm unit). Do not install in direct sunlight or against a heat source (oven, radiator).
✓ Commissioning & temperature probe
After installation, allow the cabinet 4 hours to stabilise before loading stock. Fit a calibrated digital thermometer probe to the warmest shelf (typically top or middle, furthest from compressor). Check temperature is 2–8°C and stable. Request the engineer to provide a baseline PAT test certificate.
✓ Daily temperature logs
Log the probe temperature twice daily (morning start, end of trading). Write it in a hardcopy logbook or digital system. Retain all logs for 12 months. If temperature rises above 8°C for more than 2 hours, investigate cause (door left open, compressor fault, ambient spike) and document action taken.
✓ Glass door maintenance
Clean glass doors daily with warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Check hinges or sliding tracks for stiffness or noise. Lubricate hinge pins annually (hinge oil, not general-purpose grease). For sliding doors, vacuum tracks monthly to prevent roller drag.
✓ Night blind operation (if fitted)
Test motorised night blinds daily — they should lower smoothly to seal the top of the cabinet overnight, and raise fully in the morning. If blind sticks or makes noise, call your engineer. Night blinds on a 1m open-front unit should cut overnight energy consumption by ~40–50%.
✓ Stock management
Never overfill shelves above the load limit (typically 15–20 kg per shelf). Do not block air vents inside the cabinet with product. Leave 50mm air gap at rear and sides for compressor cooling. Rotate stock to manage stock life (FIFO) and prevent product settling on heating elements.
✓ Annual service & gas check
Schedule a professional engineer visit annually before summer peak (May/June). They will check refrigerant charge, clean compressor condenser coils, and verify electrical safety. Request a certificate. This prevents mid-summer breakdowns and confirms F-Gas compliance. Cost: typically £150–£300/unit.

Featured Products Summary Table

Table: All Featured Multidecks — Specs and Status at a Glance
Model	Type	Size	Refrigerant	Energy class	Price (ex VAT)	Status
Frost-Tech SD75-100SHU-HCMK11	Stainless multideck	1.0m wide	R290	F (EEI 78)	£3,351	In stock
Polar G-Series GP485	Glass-door multideck	0.9m wide, 744 L	R290	B	£1,442	In stock
Tefcold Galaxy	Premium glass/open	1.3m+ wide	R290	<70	£2,100–£2,800	Lead-gen
Williams MJM Marquesa	UK premium open	1.3–2.0m wide	R290	<65	£2,600–£3,500	Lead-gen
Cossiga Premium	Italian premium	1.3–2.0m stainless	R290	Tier 2	£2,800–£4,200	Lead-gen
Oscartielle / Arneg	Supermarket-grade	2.5m+ modular	R290/R744	<65	£3,500–£6,500+	Lead-gen

Related Buying Guides

Explore our full range of commercial display refrigeration buying guides for UK food retail and hospitality:

Serve-Over Deli Counter Buying Guide — Glass-fronted deli display fridges for butcher, deli, and fish counter service lines.
Cake & Patisserie Display Fridge Buying Guide — Specialist chilled cake cabinets: humidity control, whipped cream zones, chocolate alternatives.
Fish & Meat Display Counter Buying Guide — Temperature Class 3M1 spec, ice display, and compliance for raw seafood and meat.
Refrigerated Sandwich & Salad Grab-and-Go Buying Guide — Compact grab-and-go displays for hotel breakfast and convenience store prepared-food service.

See it live

Multideck display fridges — in stock now

Browsing the whole range? See every option in this category → or call 01792 732702.

Summary: What to Remember

A multideck display fridge is not a generic buy. EU 2019/2024 EcoDesign Tier 2 (EEI ≤80% mandatory since Sept 2023), refrigerant compliance (R290 or R600a only from 2026), and climate class (M3 typical UK retail, H4 for warm spaces) are the three non-negotiable specs. Open-front multidecks cost £738 more per year to run than glass-door equivalents on a 1m unit (10.5 vs 3.0 kWh/24h at 27p/kWh) — but glass-door needs hinged/slide door access, and open-front offers unobstructed customer visibility. Capacity spec by product type (cans, bottles, meal trays) matters more than headline litres. Craven Cooling sources from 12+ commercial display brands — Frost-Tech for robust UK spec, Polar for mid-tier value, Williams for premium UK, Cossiga for Italian banqueting, Arneg for supermarket-grade systems — because the right brand match beats one-size-fits-all every time. Phone 01792 732702 or email sales@cravencooling.co.uk to discuss your multideck specification. We'll recommend the brand and spec that fits your operation.

FAQ: Eight Buyer Objections Answered

Why should I buy glass-door when open-front is cheaper upfront? ▼

Glass-door units cost £600–£1,200 more upfront but save £738/year in energy on a 1m unit (10.5 vs 3.0 kWh/24h). Break-even is 1–1.5 years; after that it's pure saving. Open-front makes sense only if you need unobstructed customer visibility and you add motorised night blinds (which recover 30–50% of the energy gap and pay back in 1–2 years). For quiet retail or hotel grab-and-go, glass-door is the financial no-brainer.

Is R290 safe? I've heard propane is flammable. ▼

R290 (propane) is permitted by F-Gas Regulation for commercial display cabinets because the charge weight is tiny (typically 150g for a multideck, vs 400+ grams for legacy HFC units). At that dose, the safety risk is negligible — lower than a canister of cooking spray or lighter fluid you'd already have in a kitchen. R290 and R600a have zero phase-out date under F-Gas, making them the refrigerants to specify in 2026. Ask your supplier to confirm the charge weight and that the unit carries full CE/UKCA certification for R290.

Can I use a Class 3 (M3) cabinet in a warm shop? ▼

No. Class 3 is rated for 25°C ambient; if your shop is above that on summer days (poorly ventilated, sun-facing window), the cabinet will not maintain 8°C. Temperature creep to 10–12°C is a food safety breach and will trigger EHO logs and compliance questions. Always ask: "Is this space air-conditioned? Is there direct sun? Will the shop ever exceed 25°C?" If yes to any, specify Class 4 (H4) rated for 30°C. The energy penalty is only ~2–3%; the certainty is worth it.

What's the difference between Frost-Tech, Polar, and Tefcold? ▼

Frost-Tech (UK) is the robust mid-range workhorse — stainless steel, proven reliability, good energy compliance, competitive price. Polar (mid-tier value) is strong on grab-and-go glass-door displays and smaller footprints — lighter duty, good value. Tefcold (Danish premium) is higher energy efficiency margins, modular design, and aesthetic finish — costs 20–30% more, suited to upmarket retail or hotels. All three are F-Gas compliant and widely available. Choose Frost-Tech for busy retail, Polar for compact grab-and-go, Tefcold if you want premium margins and modular flexibility. Craven stocks all three.

Do I need a remote condenser system, or will plug-in do? ▼

Plug-in is simpler and cheaper upfront for 1–2 units. But if you're running 3+ metres of display (e.g., 3×1.3m multidecks), a remote condenser system pays back in 3–4 years through 10–15% energy savings — and removes heat from the shop, reducing summer air-con load. For a 4-metre supermarket run, remote saves ~£600–£900/year. Install cost is £2,000–£3,500; break-even is 3–4 years if you're confident the run will stay. For temporary or pop-up displays, plug-in is the answer.

How do I know if a cabinet meets EU 2019/2024 Tier 2? ▼

Ask the supplier for the Energy Efficiency Index (EEI) rating on the spec sheet. For most multidecks, it should be ≤80%; for vertical supermarket cabinets, ≤65%. The spec sheet or EU product fiche will show "EEI: [number]%". If the supplier can't provide an EEI rating, the unit does not meet Tier 2 and cannot be legally sold in the UK from September 2023. Always ask for CE or UKCA certification and the EU product fiche before ordering.

Can night blinds save me money on an open-front unit? ▼

Yes. Motorised night blinds drop overnight energy by 30–50% on an open-front multideck — recovering roughly £350–£520/year on a 1m unit. Cost is £800–£1,200 per unit; payback is 1.5–2 years if you're running 16+ hours of operation daily. The blinds are motorised and drop automatically at close time, seal the top of the cabinet, and raise at opening. For a busy 24h convenience store or takeaway, night blinds on open-front are often more cost-effective than glass-door retrofits.

What warranty does Craven offer, and how long is the lead time? ▼

Craven stocks Frost-Tech and Polar units — typically 5–10 day dispatch. Tefcold, Williams, Cossiga, and Arneg are lead-gen and typically 4–8 weeks from order depending on specification and factory location. All units come with manufacturer's 2-year parts and labour warranty (terms vary by brand). Craven also offers equipment leasing from £1,200+VAT/month via Kennet Finance, which includes warranty and maintenance. For specific warranty terms, delivery timescale, or finance options on your intended specification, phone 01792 732702 or email sales@cravencooling.co.uk.