Reach-In, Prep Table & Merchandiser Guide

Reach-ins, prep tables and merchandisers

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Updated October 14, 2026

Quick answer

Reach-ins, prep tables, undercounter units and glass-door merchandisers are self-contained: the whole refrigeration system is built into the cabinet. Most failures come from a dirty condenser, a torn gasket, a failed fan or an iced evaporator, and many newer units use R-290, which only a trained tech should open.

This guide covers the self-contained refrigeration that runs a kitchen line or a store floor: reach-in refrigerators and freezers, sandwich and pizza prep tables, undercounter and worktop units, and glass-door merchandisers. Pages are grouped from understanding a problem to getting it fixed.

Understand and troubleshoot

Commercial Refrigerator Not Cooling: What to Check FirstWhy a commercial reach-in or prep refrigerator stops cooling, the safe checks a manager can do, and when to call a C-38…
Frost and Ice Buildup in a Reach-In FreezerHeavy frost on the walls or evaporator of a reach-in freezer points to door leaks or a defrost failure. What to check…
Glass Door Merchandiser Problems and FixesFogged glass, warm product, sagging doors and dead lights in beverage and grocery glass-door merchandisers: causes,…
Prep Table Rail Not Cold Enough: Causes and FixesWhy a sandwich or pizza prep table rail runs warm while the cabinet is cold, or the reverse. Lids, pan levels, rail…
Reach-In Cooler Warm on Top and Cold on the BottomUneven temperatures in a commercial reach-in usually mean an airflow, fan or loading problem. What to check and when…
Reach-In Refrigerator Clicking, Buzzing or Loud FansA commercial fridge that clicks, buzzes or rattles is telling you something. What clicking compressors and loud fans…
Water Under Your Commercial Refrigerator: Where It Comes FromWater pooling under a reach-in or prep table usually comes from a blocked drain, a frozen evaporator or a failed…
Why Is My Reach-In Refrigerator Freezing Food?Lettuce frozen in the back of the cooler? Why commercial reach-ins freeze food, what to check, and when the thermostat…
Reach-in and prep table problems
Display case problems

Compare, cost and choose

Atosa Refrigerator and Freezer Repair GuideAtosa MBF reach-ins, prep tables and undercounters: warranty claim rules, common failures, owner checks and when to…
Avantco Refrigerator and Freezer Repair GuideAvantco reach-ins, prep tables and undercounters: warranty by series, common failures, owner checks and when repair…
Beverage-Air Refrigerator and Back-Bar Cooler Repair GuideBeverage-Air Horizon reach-ins, prep tables, back-bar and bottle coolers: warranty basics, common failures, owner…
Commercial Refrigerator Repair Cost: What Drives the PriceWhat makes a commercial reach-in, prep table or merchandiser repair cheap or expensive, which repairs are worth it, and…
Continental Refrigerator Repair GuideContinental Refrigerator reach-ins, Designer Line, prep tables and undercounters: warranty conditions, common failures…
Delfield Refrigerator, Chef Base and Prep Table RepairDelfield chef bases, refrigerated equipment stands, undercounters and prep tables: warranty basics, common failures and…
Forced-Air vs Cold-Wall Prep Table RailsHow forced-air and cold-wall prep table rails keep pans cold, which holds 41°F better, and what each needs for cleaning…
Migali Refrigerator and Freezer Repair GuideMigali Competitor series reach-ins, prep tables and merchandisers: R290 models, warranty basics, common failures and…
Pizza Prep Table vs Sandwich and Salad Prep TableHow pizza prep tables and sandwich or salad prep tables differ: rail design, work surface, depth, capacity and the…
R-290 Commercial Refrigerators: What Changed and What It Means for RepairNew reach-ins, prep tables and merchandisers now run on R-290. What changed under EPA rules in 2025, what it means for…
Repair or Replace Your Commercial Refrigerator?How to decide whether to repair or replace a reach-in, prep table or merchandiser: age, the part that failed,…
Solid Door vs Glass Door Reach-In: Which Should You Buy?Solid or glass door for a commercial reach-in? Energy use, visibility, food safety, door heaters and which fits a…
Traulsen Refrigerator and Freezer Repair GuideTraulsen G-series, R-series and Spec-Line reach-ins, pass-thrus and dual-temp units: warranty basics, common failures…
True Refrigerator, Freezer and Prep Table Repair GuideTrue T-series reach-ins, TSSU sandwich tables and TPP pizza tables: R290 units, warranty basics, common failures, owner…
Turbo Air Refrigerator and Freezer Repair GuideTurbo Air M3 and PRO reach-ins, prep tables and merchandisers: the self-cleaning condenser, warranty basics, common…
Undercounter, Worktop and Chef Base RefrigeratorsUndercounter, worktop and chef base refrigerators: how they differ, where they fail in a hot cook line, and how to keep…
Victory Refrigerator and Freezer Repair GuideVictory UltraSpec and Elite reach-ins, pass-thrus and merchandisers: warranty basics, gasket coverage, common failures…

Get it fixed

Commercial Refrigerator Repair in the Bay AreaCommercial refrigerator and freezer repair for reach-ins, prep tables, undercounter units and merchandisers in the…
Emergency Commercial Refrigerator Repair: What to Do NowReach-in or prep table warm with food inside? What to do in the first 30 minutes and how to get emergency commercial…
Reach-in refrigerator and freezer repair
Prep table refrigerator repair
Glass-door merchandiser repair

By city

When to call a technician

If a cooler, freezer or ice machine still is not right after the safe checks, a C-38 refrigeration technician can find the cause.

Open 7 days, 8 AM to 5 PM, with emergency service until 9 PM. CA Lic. #776244.

Call 1-800-266-5243 Request service online

Frequently asked questions

Why is my reach-in warm but the compressor is running?

The usual causes are a dirty condenser coil, an evaporator fan that stopped, or ice blocking the evaporator. Clean the condenser and check the fan; if it stays warm, call a technician.

Are new reach-ins different to service?

Since 1 Jan 2025, new self-contained retail refrigeration units must use refrigerants under 150 GWP, which in practice usually means R-290. It is flammable, so sealed-system work needs a trained technician.

Related guides

Sources

EPA: Technology Transitions HFC restrictions by sector

Published by Cool Aid Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, a family business serving the Bay Area since 1966. Owner Jim McKinny holds California C-20 and C-38 contractor licenses and EPA Universal certification. Repairs we complete carry our 1-year parts & labor warranty.

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