The Difference Between Cold Rooms and Freezer Rooms
Cold rooms keep products chilled above freezing, while freezer rooms store them well below freezing for long-term preservation.
In this article, we expand on the core differences, provide a useful Cold Room vs Freezer Room Comparison Table, detail the benefits of choosing Africhill’s cold rooms and freezer rooms, and answer some frequently asked questions.
A Deeper Look
The main difference between a cold room and a freezer room comes down to temperature range, storage duration, and product type.
Cold rooms are ideal for perishable goods that need cooling but not freezing, while freezer rooms preserve goods at sub-zero temperatures for extended shelf life.
If your products need short-term to medium-term storage at temperatures between +1 °C and +5 °C, you need a cold room. If they need to stay frozen solid at –15 °C to –30 °C for months or more, you need a freezer room.
At Africhill, we design and build both — tailored to your exact needs, built for Africa’s climate, and installed up to six times faster than traditional construction.
Africhill Cold Rooms
Our cold rooms are engineered for precision temperature control, typically between +1 °C and +5 °C. They’re perfect for storing fresh produce, dairy, beverages, flowers, and certain pharmaceuticals.
- Fast build: A 9 m × 9 m cold room can be completed in around 3 days.
- Energy-efficient: Built with our own high-performance insulated thermal panels.
- Flexible sizes: From compact 2.4 m × 2.4 m units to large custom installations.
- Neat installations: Built inside warehouses, factories, or containers with minimal disruption.
Africhill Freezer Rooms
Our freezer rooms maintain temperatures between –15 °C and –30 °C, perfect for meat, fish, frozen vegetables, ice cream, and other products needing long-term storage.
- Heavy-duty insulation: Increased panel thickness for maximum cold retention.
- Designed for Africa: Reliable even in high ambient temperatures.
- Modular design: Fast installation and easy expansion.
- Low maintenance: Built for durability with minimal upkeep.
Cold Room vs Freezer Room Comparison Table
| Feature | Cold Room | Freezer Room |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Temperature | +1 °C to +5 °C | –15 °C to –30 °C |
| Best For | Fresh produce, dairy, beverages, flowers, certain medicines | Meat, fish, frozen vegetables, ice cream, long-term storage |
| Storage Duration | Short to medium-term | Long-term |
| Panel Thickness | Standard insulation | Thicker insulation for extreme cold |
| Energy Usage | Lower | Higher |
| Installation Speed | ±3 days for 9 m × 9 m | ±3 days for 9 m × 9 m |
Benefits of Choosing Africhill
- Highly customised solutions – From industrial to mobile refrigeration, we match your requirements exactly.
- Six times faster build – Installations in as little as three days.
- African expertise – Proven performance across diverse climates.
- Cleaner, safer sites – Modular builds with minimal disruption.
- Energy efficiency – Panels designed for year-round savings.
- Durability – In-house manufactured insulated panels to top standards.
- Minimal maintenance – Reliable systems that don’t need constant attention.
- 20 years’ experience – Anticipating issues before they arise.
- Flexible install options – Turnkey or DIY kits.
- Product-specific design – Built to suit your exact products.
- Pan-African delivery – Anywhere in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Real Projects Across Africa
In South Africa, our installations ensure milk stays perfectly chilled before processing, protecting quality and meeting health standards. In Zimbabwe, we built a modular freezer room for long-term dairy storage, reducing waste and meeting export regulations.
Our expertise benefits many other industries too. In Malawi’s fisheries sector, our freezer rooms preserve catches in remote, high-temperature areas — proof that our systems deliver under tough African conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What temperature should a cold room run at?
Between +1 °C and +5 °C, ideal for fresh products that need chilling but not freezing.
What temperature should a freezer room run at?
Between –15 °C and –30 °C for long-term frozen storage.
Which is cheaper to run?
Cold rooms generally use less energy as they operate at higher temperatures.
Can Africhill install both?
Yes, we design and install both cold and freezer rooms, ensuring seamless operation together.
How fast can Africhill install?
We can complete a 9 m × 9 m unit in around three days.
Maximise Your Cold Storage Today
The right cold storage is critical to protecting your products, meeting regulations, and running an efficient operation.
At Africhill, we make that easy. Whether you need a cold room, a freezer room, or both, we’ll design it for your exact needs, build it to withstand African conditions, and install it faster than you imagined.
Fill in the form below, and let’s create the storage solution that keeps your business running at its best.