True Refrigerator, Freezer and Prep Table Repair Guide
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Updated October 14, 2026
Quick answer
True is the most common reach-in brand in Bay Area kitchens. Its T-series reach-ins, TSSU sandwich and salad tables, TPP pizza tables and TUC undercounters now ship with R290 (propane) refrigerant, and True's published terms show three years of parts and labor with longer compressor coverage. Most True failures we see come back to dirty condenser coils, worn gaskets and product blocking the evaporator fan.
True product lines you are likely to have
| Line | What it is | Service notes |
|---|---|---|
| T-series (e.g. T-23, T-49, T-72) | Bottom-mount reach-in refrigerators and freezers, solid or glass doors | Condenser at the bottom front; breathes through the lower grille |
| TS-series | Top-mount "spec series" reach-ins | Condenser on top; keep the top clear of boxes |
| TSSU | Sandwich and salad prep tables, including mega-tops | Rail warmth and lid habits drive most calls |
| TPP | Pizza prep tables | Flour clogs the condenser fast |
| TUC / TWT | Undercounter and worktop units | Front-breathing; heat from the line |
| Bar line | Back-bar, bottle and direct-draw coolers | See back-bar not cooling |
Model numbers ending in -HC run on hydrocarbon refrigerant (R290).
Warranty basics
Check the serial number with True before paying for a major repair. Published spec sheets and dealer listings for current hydrocarbon models show:
| Coverage | What published terms show |
|---|---|
| Parts and labor | 3 years on current HC reach-ins |
| Compressor | An additional 2 years on the compressor (5 years total) on spec sheets; some dealer listings describe longer terms |
| Condition | Commercial use; follow the maintenance in the manual |
Terms vary by model and date. Confirm with True using your serial number.
Owner checks, in order
| Step | What to check | What the finding means |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Read a thermometer in a glass of water on the middle shelf | Above 41°F: act now. Under 38°F but display says warmer: probe or control issue |
| 2 | Pull the lower (or top) grille and look at the condenser | Matted dust or flour: clean it and recheck in 2 to 3 hours |
| 3 | Listen at the evaporator cover with the door open | Fan silent while the compressor runs: fan motor or its door switch |
| 4 | Look through the evaporator cover for ice | Solid ice: defrost or airflow fault; call |
| 5 | Dollar-bill test the gaskets | Loose spots: replace the gasket; True gaskets are press-in on most models |
| 6 | On TSSU/TPP tables, check lid habits and pan levels | Warm rail with lid open or pans overfilled: usage, not a fault |
Where True units fail most often
- Condenser coils on bottom-mount units sit low, where floor dust and grease collect.
- Door gaskets on heavily used T-49s and prep tables.
- Evaporator fan motors, often noisy for days before they stop.
- Prep rail temperatures on TSSU and TPP tables when lids stay open.
- Door hinges and closers on units that get leaned on during service.
R290 service
Current True HC units use R290. Owner checks are unchanged, but sealed-system repairs need a technician trained for flammable refrigerants. See R-290 commercial refrigerators.
Bay Area factors
True units are everywhere from San Francisco sandwich shops to South Bay pizzerias. In inland kitchens during summer heat, bottom-mount T-series units near fryers lose capacity first; in pizzerias, TPP condensers clog with flour within weeks. Monthly condenser cleaning is the single best habit for both.
Symptoms on True units and what they usually mean
| Symptom | Usual cause | True note |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet warm, compressor running | Dirty condenser, iced evaporator, failed fan, low charge | Bottom-mount T-series condensers collect floor dust |
| Freezing product at the back | Set point low, stuck thermostat or probe | |
| Water on the floor | Blocked drain, overflowing condensate pan, unit not level | Prep tables: rail drains clog with food |
| Frost around the door | Torn gasket, sagging door, failed frame heater (freezers) | |
| Compressor clicking without starting | Start relay, overload, capacitor, low voltage | |
| Grinding or squeal inside | Evaporator fan bearings | Common on busy T-49s |
| Alarm or code on the display | High temperature, door open, probe fault |
Detailed checks: not cooling, freezing, water under the unit, frost, clicking. Codes: error code library.
Maintenance schedule for a True unit
| Task | How often |
|---|---|
| Log cabinet temperature | Every shift |
| Wipe and inspect gaskets | Weekly |
| Clean condenser coil and grille | Monthly in pizzerias (TPP) and near fryers; otherwise every 1 to 3 months |
| Check doors self-close and the unit is level | Monthly |
| Professional inspection | Yearly |
Repair or replace a True unit?
A True unit within its 3-year parts and labor period, or 5-year compressor period, should be checked with True before paying. Outside warranty, repair fans, gaskets, controls and electrical parts. For a compressor or refrigerant leak on an older unit, ask for a replacement comparison; see repair vs replace.
What our technician does
- Confirms temperatures and reads the controller.
- Checks the condenser, fans, defrost and door switches.
- Tests electrical parts and, if needed, the sealed system.
- Quotes the repair, noting whether True's warranty may cover it.
When to call a technician
Call when the cabinet or rail stays above 41°F after you clean the coil and fix loading, when a fan is silent, or when ice covers the evaporator.
Open 7 days, 8 AM to 5 PM, with emergency service until 9 PM. CA Lic. #776244.
Frequently asked questions
Do you repair True refrigerators?
Yes. We service True reach-ins, prep tables, undercounters and bar units across the South Bay, Peninsula, East Bay and San Francisco.
What refrigerant do new True units use?
Models marked HC use R290 (propane).
Where is the serial number on a True reach-in?
On the data plate inside the cabinet, usually on an upper side wall.
Why is my True prep table rail warm?
Usually lid habits, pan levels or a dirty condenser. See our prep rail guide.
Is True better than cheaper brands?
True units are built heavily and parts are easy to get locally, which shortens repairs. Any brand lasts longer with a clean condenser.
Related guides
- Reach-In & Prep Refrigeration Guide
- Commercial Refrigerator Repair in the Bay Area
- Commercial Refrigerator Not Cooling: What to Check First
- Repair or Replace Your Commercial Refrigerator?
- Commercial Refrigerator Repair Cost: What Drives the Price
- Commercial Refrigeration Error Codes
- Prep Table Rail Not Cold Enough: Causes and Fixes
Sources
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