Refrigerated Containers

Refrigerated Shipping Containers (Reefers) for Sale

A refrigerated container, commonly called a reefer, is an insulated steel shipping container fitted with an integrated refrigeration unit that holds a precise, thermostat-controlled temperature from deep-freeze up to ambient. At StackCrateCo we sell new and used refrigerated shipping containers shipped from our yard in the St. Louis metro (Sauget, IL 62206), giving you a portable, ready-to-plug cold-storage room that drops onto any flat surface and runs off standard three-phase power. If you need reliable refrigeration or freezer capacity without building a permanent walk-in, a reefer container is the fastest, most cost-effective way to get it.

Unlike a standard dry container, every refrigerated container is engineered as a sealed thermal envelope. The walls, floor, ceiling, and doors are insulated with foam, the interior is lined with food-grade stainless or aluminum, and a built-in refrigeration machine circulates cold air through a T-floor and ceiling plenum to keep temperature even from end to end. That construction is why a reefer can hold produce at 38°F or frozen goods at -10°F in the middle of summer.

Why Buy a Refrigerated Container from StackCrateCo

• Inspected, working units. Every refrigerated container we sell has its refrigeration machinery checked and pre-trip tested so it cools to spec before it leaves our yard.
• New and used reefers in stock. Choose a one-trip unit for the longest service life or a quality used reefer for the best value on a working cold-storage solution.
• Honest grading. We tell you the unit’s age, the machine’s make and hours where known, and its cosmetic and mechanical condition before you buy.
• Fast loadout and nationwide delivery. Stock reefers ship quickly from the St. Louis metro to most of the continental US, delivered ready to plug in.

Refrigerated Container Sizes

20ft Refrigerated Containers

The 20ft reefer is the workhorse of portable cold storage. It offers roughly 1,000 cubic feet of insulated, temperature-controlled space, fits in tight yards and behind restaurants, and runs on a manageable power draw. It is the right size for a single restaurant’s overflow, a small farm’s harvest, a florist, or an event needing extra refrigeration.

40ft Refrigerated Containers

The 40ft reefer roughly doubles your cold capacity and is the standard for distribution, processing, and any operation moving pallet volumes. With high cube options available, you gain extra vertical room for stacked pallets and racking. This is the size most cold-chain and food-service buyers choose when storage is measured in pallets rather than cases.

What You Can Store in a Reefer Container

A refrigerated container is essentially a portable walk-in cooler or freezer, so its uses span any industry that needs controlled temperature on demand:

• Food service: restaurants, caterers, and grocers needing overflow refrigeration or freezer space.
• Agriculture: on-farm storage for produce, dairy, meat, and floral crops to extend shelf life after harvest.
• Cold-chain and logistics: staging and buffer storage at distribution points.
• Pharmaceutical and medical: temperature-validated storage for products that must stay within a tight range.
• Events and disaster response: rapid-deploy refrigeration and freezing wherever the grid reaches.

Buy or Rent a Refrigerated Container?

If your cold-storage need is permanent or recurring, buying a refrigerated container is almost always cheaper over time than renting, because reefer rental rates are high and add up quickly. Buying also means the unit is an asset you can resell. Renting makes sense only for short, defined events such as a single harvest window or a few-week festival. Because reefer rental pricing is steep, most operations that expect to need cold storage for more than a season find that purchasing pays for itself fast. Call us to compare a purchase against what you would spend renting, and we will show you the breakeven.

Power, Setup, and Temperature Range

Refrigerated containers typically require three-phase power; a 20ft reefer commonly runs on 230V three-phase, and a 40ft on the same or 460V depending on the machine. Setup is straightforward: place the unit on a level surface, connect power, set your target temperature on the digital controller, and let it pull down. A working reefer holds anywhere from roughly -10°F for frozen goods up to ambient for chilled product, all from one controllable machine. If you do not have three-phase power on site, ask us about generator options and power requirements before you buy so your unit is ready to run on day one.

New vs. Used Refrigerated Containers

A new or one-trip refrigerated container gives you the longest machine life, the cleanest interior, and the fewest cosmetic flaws, making it the right choice for pharmaceutical, food-grade, or long-horizon use. A quality used reefer delivers the same cold performance at a lower price and is an excellent value when the machine has been tested and the interior is sound. Whichever you choose, we pre-trip test the refrigeration so you are buying a unit that actually holds temperature, not a gamble.

Order Your Refrigerated Container

Browse the refrigerated containers in stock below. Each listing notes size, condition, and the unit’s cooling capability so you can match the reefer to your product and your power supply. Need help sizing a unit, confirming power requirements, or arranging delivery to your site? Call (312) 998-4030 and our team will spec the right refrigerated container and quote it delivered to your door.

Refrigerated Container FAQs

How cold does a refrigerated container get?

A working refrigerated container typically holds temperatures from about -10°F for frozen storage up to ambient for chilled goods, all set on a digital controller. Specific low-temperature reefers can go colder; ask us about the exact range of any unit you are considering.

How much does a refrigerated container cost?

Refrigerated container prices depend on size, age, and whether the unit is new (one-trip) or used. Used 20ft reefers are the most affordable entry point, while new 40ft high cube units cost the most. Because rental rates are high, buying usually beats renting for any need longer than a season.

What power does a reefer container need?

Most refrigerated containers require three-phase power, commonly 230V on a 20ft unit and 230V or 460V on a 40ft unit, depending on the refrigeration machine. If you lack three-phase service, generator options are available; confirm the unit’s exact power requirement with us before purchase.

Can I use a refrigerated container as a freezer?

Yes. A reefer’s controller lets you set freezing temperatures, so the same unit works as either a cooler or a freezer depending on your setpoint. Verify the minimum temperature of the specific machine if you need deep-freeze performance.

Do you deliver refrigerated containers nationwide?

Yes. We ship inspected, pre-trip-tested refrigerated containers from our St. Louis metro yard to most of the continental United States, delivered ready to plug in. Call (312) 998-4030 with your location for a delivered quote.