Home › Commercial Refrigeration Guide › Walk-In Cooler & Freezer Guide › Kolpak Walk-In Coolers and Freezers: Service Guide
Updated October 14, 2026
Quick answer
Kolpak, based in Parsons, Tennessee, and part of Welbilt, is one of the most common walk-in brands in restaurants and chains. Its boxes use foamed panels in 4, 5 and 6 inch thicknesses, and many ship with Kolpak refrigeration, including the self-contained Polar-Pak. Most Kolpak service calls involve the refrigeration package, door hardware and gaskets rather than the panels.
About Kolpak
Kolpak makes walk-in coolers and freezers and the refrigeration systems that go with them. Its website lists panel options in 4-, 5- and 6-inch thicknesses with what it calls Softnose construction, refrigeration packages including the 120 Series, Scroll Series and Polar-Pak, and accessories including controllers. The company is located in Parsons, Tennessee, and its site carries Welbilt branding.
Because Kolpak supplies many national chains, Kolpak boxes turn up in Bay Area franchise restaurants, convenience stores and institutional kitchens, often installed years ago by a chain's own contractor.
Kolpak refrigeration you will see
| System | Type | Service notes |
|---|---|---|
| Polar-Pak | Self-contained package mounted on top or side of the box | Whole unit can be swapped; keep the room or roof around it cool and clear; clean the condenser often in kitchens |
| 120 Series | Packaged system (R-404A per Kolpak's listing) | Existing R-404A units can still be repaired; replacements must meet current EPA rules |
| Scroll Series | Systems built around scroll compressors | Compressor replacement follows standard scroll procedures |
| Third-party remote systems | Heatcraft, Copeland and others paired with Kolpak boxes | Serviced like any remote split system |
If you are unsure which you have, the data plate on the condensing unit or the side of the package gives model and serial numbers. Take a photo before you call.
Common Kolpak service issues
- Self-contained packages running hot. A Polar-Pak installed in a small back room or on top of a box near the ceiling can starve for air. High head pressure and long run times follow. See walk-in running nonstop.
- Door hardware wear. High-traffic chain kitchens wear hinges and closers. Kolpak door parts are widely available.
- Gaskets. Profiles differ by door generation; match by serial number. See door gaskets.
- Freezer heater circuits. Door frame and relief-port heaters fail with age, causing frozen doors.
- Condensate drains. Self-contained units drain from the evaporator section through the box; a frozen or blocked drain overflows inside. See water on floor / frozen drain.
Parts and identification
Kolpak boxes have a data plate, usually on the door frame or inside near the door, with the model and serial number. Refrigeration packages have their own plate. With both numbers, a technician can order exact door hardware, gaskets, heaters and refrigeration parts. Kolpak door and panel parts remain available for many older boxes, which makes repair a better option than replacement in most cases.
Repair or replace a Kolpak?
Kolpak panels typically outlast the refrigeration. If the box is dry and the doors seal, replacing a worn Polar-Pak or remote condensing unit is usually the best value. If you are replacing a self-contained package, consider whether a remote system would suit the space better. See repair or replace and self-contained vs remote.
Warranty
Warranty terms vary by product and date of manufacture; check your paperwork or Kolpak directly. We service this brand; we work on it independently, and manufacturer warranty claims go through the manufacturer's own process.
Kolpak service in the Bay Area
1-800-Cool-Aid services Kolpak walk-ins and their refrigeration in Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda and San Francisco counties: doors, gaskets, heaters, Polar-Pak and remote systems, controls and leak repair. Our technicians are EPA 608 certified, and our repairs carry a 1-year parts and labor warranty.
Owner checks before calling
- Photograph the box and refrigeration data plates.
- Check the temperature with a separate thermometer.
- For a Polar-Pak, check nothing blocks the airflow around the unit.
- Check the evaporator fans and look for ice.
- Check the door closes and seals.
Kolpak in chain kitchens
National chains often specify Kolpak boxes for consistency across stores, so Bay Area franchise kitchens commonly share the same box and system models. That helps with parts and with diagnosis: a fault seen in one store often repeats in others. If you operate several locations, tell your technician; a known weak point can be checked across all sites during maintenance.
Softnose panels and doors
Kolpak describes its panels as Softnose construction and offers its own door designs. When ordering door parts or replacement panels, the serial number identifies the generation so new parts fit the existing joints and frames.
When to call a technician
Call with the box and refrigeration data plate numbers if your Kolpak is warming, icing, leaking water or its door will not seal.
Open 7 days, 8 AM to 5 PM, with emergency service until 9 PM. CA Lic. #776244.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Kolpak made?
Kolpak is located in Parsons, Tennessee, according to its website.
What is a Kolpak Polar-Pak?
A self-contained refrigeration package mounted on top or on the side of a Kolpak walk-in.
Can you repair Kolpak walk-in doors?
Yes. Hinges, closers, latches, gaskets and heater wire are replaceable.
My Kolpak uses R-404A. Do I have to replace it?
No. Existing systems can still be repaired under EPA rules.
Where is the Kolpak serial number?
On a data plate, usually on the door frame or inside near the door; the refrigeration package has its own plate.
What panel thickness does Kolpak offer?
Kolpak lists 4-, 5- and 6-inch panels.
Does Kolpak sell refrigeration with its boxes?
Yes, including the 120 Series, Scroll Series and Polar-Pak.
Can a Polar-Pak be replaced with a remote system?
Yes, if there is a suitable place for a condensing unit and lines.
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