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Last article update: October 17, 2024 | By: The Elite Patio Direct Team
When deciding which outdoor refrigerator you're going to go with for your outdoor kitchen, it's important to make sure you're getting the best product for your needs.
After all, built-in projects are quite costly and you want to get everything right on the first go around!
There are numerous brands out there, whether it is Perlick, Blaze, Bull or Marvel, each one offers a wide range of products.
We've created this resource to organize all of the different brands out there, so you can compare price tiers and features and make an informed decision on which brand is best for you.
When it comes to the top brands and products, we think it's best to put the products into various pricing buckets - luxury, high-end, and budget.
Generally speaking, luxury outdoor kitchen brands come with the best features, highest performance, and the best warranty coverage - but the highest prices.
On the other end of the spectrum, budget brands provide acceptable performance at the best prices.
What distinguishes a luxury refrigerator brand from something more ordinary? Well, one of the main things will be the design of the model, as well as some of the materials that go into its make-up.
Not only do you have glass frames that will allow you to look at the drinks and food inside, but some of these come with temperature alarms that will inform you when you are going over or under the recommended temperature threshold.
You can also get some really neat features like mood lighting and different cooling zones that will allow you to chill your food at different temperatures.
So if it is high-end features and durability that you are looking for, then here are some brands that you can really rely on.
Perlick has a roster of amazing quality refrigerators of all shapes and sizes, giving you a wide range of serving solutions and beverage storage options.
This company is known to manufacture only the very best, elevating the commercial cafe and bar service to the very next level. It specializes in under-counter refrigeration and beverage dispensing systems.
If you are going to be serving food and drinks - especially wines - on a large scale, then you’ll certainly be wanting to have a look at Perlick.
This is particularly good for outdoor serving, with plenty of heavy-duty fridges that will be able to withstand rain and harsh winds.
Their line of fridges is made from stainless steel material, which will allow you to wipe down your surfaces quickly and effectively.
This makes for a far more sanitary refrigerator, which is great for any restaurant wanting to maintain a superb food hygiene certificate.
These refrigerators come with glass doors, which will allow you to pursue the contents inside without opening the door and altering the temperature of the contents inside.
It also comes with shelving and drawers that will allow you to store more beverages.
When it comes to class and excellent design, you can’t really beat a Perlick refrigerator.
Shop Perlick →Next up, we have a refrigeration company that were world-first in most aspects of refrigeration. They came up with the first glass door fridge as well as the first fridge with a stainless steel interior.
So do they live up to their reputation? Well, quite frankly, they really do. They have a luxurious range of amazing refrigerators, ice-makers and alcohol dispensers.
One of the other great things about Marvel is the fact that they have so many options when it comes to capacity, how many shelves you have in your refrigerator and what finish you want. Having this level of choice really defines the term ‘luxury’.
Not only does it have great style options, but it also comes with corrosion-resistant properties.
This has been tested with high doses of salt to ensure that it will not degrade when exposed to the elements. A lot of Marvel fridges are perfect for outdoor use.
If you are looking for premium style plenty with excellent resilience to knocks and adverse weather conditions, then we would certainly point you in the direction of Marvel.
Another name you might have heard associated with premium-level refrigeration is Lynx. This company was started in 1996 and really struck out during a time when outdoor cooking really meant barbecue grills.
When simple barbequing soon transitioned to outdoor living, the Lynx rebranded itself, making larger, stainless steel equipment that was specifically designed for the catering industry.
Well, if you are in the industry of large-scale cooking, then Lynx really are the perfect company. They have not just refigerators, but plenty of other kitchen accessories.
You can go to one company and get all the utensils and temperature probes that you need.
Having fridges that can stand the test of time will also be very important if you are going to be cooking outdoors.
Outdoor refrigerators are much more exposed to the elements, which is why it’s important that you get something that is made from stainless steel that can weather all storms.
Lynx also produces refrigerators with plenty of temeprature alarms that will sound if you have left the door open and the temperature begins to drop.
Some of these alarms also come with door assists, that will close your fridge automatically.
If you are looking for a refrigerator that you will not have to replace in the long-term, then we would certainly suggest that you get something made by Lynx.
Shop Lynx Grills →This next refrigerator company have plenty of experience in the refrigerator and freezer industry, making devices for commercial, professional and medical purposes. They cater to the smaller end of the refrigerator industry.
If you wnat a smaller footprint for your refrigerator and are working in a much smaller space, then Summit will have everything that you need. You can get fridges that are 12, 18, 20, 24 and 30-inches in length.
You can get commercial or residentail refrigerators. You can get frigdes for both indoor and outdoor use, with the latter coming in robust materials that will certainly stand the test of time.
The best thing about Summit is the fact that you can customize them for exactly the space you want. They have over 600 existing models, which means that you are spoilt for choice even if you buy off the line.
If you are looking for a refrigerator for an office space, then Summit will have something that will cater to your needs. They will even design you a refrigerator that will be able to fit in what would otherwise be a very awkward space.
Their fridges are made from high-grade stainless steel, which means that you will have a refrigerator that will last you for at least a year.
They come with many styles of handles and drawers, allowing you to have access to your wines and beverages in whatever way you want.
If you want a refrigerator that comes with a wide selection of features with a solid construction, then we would recommend that you choose a Summit product.
Being light years ahead of everyone in the game when it comes to nonstick cookware, this company branched out into commercial outdoor cooking as well as traditional home cooking.
If you look at some of the refrigerators that Hestan has on this list, then you’ll see a few markers of premium grade quality: great insulation, stainless steel and options for wood inlays that will give your refrigerator that extra touch of class.
This also comes with a hardy locking system along with zero clearance hinges that will ensure your refrigerator will not get damaged by the door scraping along the flooring.
They also have a refrigerator that comes with dual-zone cooling, which will allow you to cool different types of wine in the same refrigerator.
This will save you a lot of space and make it much more convenient for your restaurant or cafe business.
This also comes with wine racks that are vibration-proof, meaning that you won’t have to worry about your precious stock spilling and smashing on the floor.
It also comes with UV protection on the glass, which will prevent your wines from altering temperature in the sun.
When it comes to protecting large amounts of frozen stock, then Hestan has really gone above and beyond to make sure that wines and food will get to the hands of your customers, friends and family chilled and in great condition.
Now we have something for anyone who does not want to spend that much money but still wants that premium level of construction and plenty of features.
Some of the models in this category do still fall under the luxury brands, as they do feature some similar models.
This will be useful to anyone who wants a good refrigerator but does not want to go over their budget.
If you are looking for a company that has a great track record in making some premium ice machines and refrigerators, then U-Line are ideal for you.
Set up in 1962, they make refrigerators that are height compliant and especially handy for fish markets.
These refrigerators are made from stainless steel, which makes them not only very resilient but great for wiping down after you have used them. If hygiene is important to you, then these refrigerators are perfect.
These machines come with crescent ice makers and opposable drawers, both of which are ideal for users who have trouble with working complicated freezing machines.
This company prizes itself of making refrigerators that will cater to your personal kitchen space.
You can choose whatever capacity that you want, along with a great design that will help you access beverages, wine and food.
A lot of people have remarked on the fact that U-Line really helps to cater to the individual rather than an existing kitchen space.
This next company is one that is based in Dallas and designs some really innovative and durable kitchen equipment. If you need a culinary utensil that will last you for years, then Coyote wouldn’t be a bad place to start.
A lot of Coyote products are made from 304 stainless steel, which means that they will certainly stand up to some of the harsher elements that you can experience during your marquee or larger outdoor cooking event.
This comes with a refrigerator that has a pull-out cooler, a condiment tray, and a cutting board all built in.
They also have a lot of refrigerators that come with a towel holder and bottle opener, which will save you the trouble of hunting for one when you are busy on shift.
Coyote are known for building solid and affordable units. If you are going to be buying multiple units for a large-scale party or commercial catering business, then you won’t find a more reliable and accommodating company.
Next up, we have a company that is actually part of a larger company that specializes in grills and gas log fireplaces.
However, this does not mean that they don’t excel at manufacturing decent ice-makers and freezers.
This company has over 80 years of experience in the cooking industry, manufacturing everything from freezers to grills to refreshment centers. This company even does a really decent blender.
When it comes to competent and savvy refrigeration, then you can’t go far wrong with Fire Magic.
If you want to get a whole outdoor cooking setup, then this is also a great company to get a quote from.
Shop Fire Magic→If you are wanting a kitchen setup that can be used by disabled people, either in a care home or a disability living home, then Avallon might be the company for you.
Avallon makes plenty of affordable and easy-to-use refrigeration appliances. This is great if you are looking for outdoor refrigerators that have slightly different utility to them.
The construction of all of these refrigerator and freezer units is compact and small, perfect for use in a smaller garage area.
This has also been a company highly recommended for senior citizens. This is because the handles of the door are very easy to use and the whole contraption does not weigh too much.
Edgestar is a subsidiary of Avallon and they provide wine coolers and beverage containers that can be used outdoors. The great thing about this company is that they specialize in making top-of-the-line refrigerators for an affordable price.
This company does not give its refrigerators that many additional accessories, thereby minimizing the fuss and giving you everything that you need for a great customer experience.
This is another one that is perfect for people with mobility issues, as it comes with a simple interface and a digital touch-pad design. This is ideal for anyone who finds it difficult to pull down a handle.
There are some features with their refrigerators though: anti-vibration technology that will prevent your drinks from smashing and a carbon filter that will help you to get rid of any unwanted odors from your fridge.
If you are looking for a fridge that is deluxe in every way but the price, then you should look no further than Edgestar.
If you are looking for a company that specializes in making sure your wine is intact and perfectly chilled when you get it out of the refrigerator, then you should try Vinotemp.
This company has developed a good reputation as one of the best wine cellar makers in the game and, with such a great price point, we find this assertion hard to disagree with.
Whether it is countertop chillers or ceiling-to-floor wine cabinets, this company manufactures everything related to premium wine storage. There are plenty of highly-rated hotels that go with Vinotemp for their wine chillers.
Now we’re moving onto the budget models, but don’t let that term fool you. Just because these units are inexpensive, doesn’t mean they sacrifice on quality.
DanbyIf you are looking for a refrigerator that comes with ‘big fridge’ energy but can fit into smaller spaces like garages or cafes, then Danby might be the company for you.
Danby makes an outdoor refrigerator with rust-resistant properties and large inner capacity, despite the smaller overall design.
It comes packed with plenty of features including door storage, an ice bucket, and a crisper drawer. This also has adjustable locks and movable shelves and all for a very decent price.
Whether it is refrigerators or burners, Blaze will have everything that you need for your outdoor cooking scenario. They make their products from top-quality steel, which will be able to resist the harshest weather conditions.
This comes with beverage racks and an outdoor locking system, which is just perfect for keeping your expensive wines safe when you are not watching over them. We would heartily recommend this range for wine cellars.
But the best thing about this company is the price point. You can get a very decent-sized refrigerator for a fraction of the price of some of the more expensive models.
Shop Blaze →We hope that our guide to refrigerator brands, from luxury to budget, has helped you to decide which is the best company for you to start with.
We would certainly recommend that you shop around before settling on one fridge manufacturer.
Shop Outdoor Refrigeration →At Elite Patio Direct, we believe that the best memories are made outdoors - and our love for sharing life's moments with others drives us. We offer the highest quality and most thoughtfully designed products on to help you create your dream outdoor space.