Refrigerated Container FAQs for NJ and NY: Get Answers Before Your Cooler Runs Out

Rent if you need cold storage for about six months or less. Buy if you need it for more than a year. Between six and 12 months, compare total rent against the purchase price. We can price both options on one call.

A 40ft reefer rental typically runs $1,200 to $2,500 per month. A 20ft unit usually costs less. Your price depends on size, power type, rental length, and delivery distance. Ask for a written quote so you see the full cost before delivery day.

Buying usually wins once your need runs past 12 months. At $1,200 to $2,500 per month, 18 months of rent adds up to $21,600 to $45,000. A unit you own keeps running long after that. See the numbers on our page for buying a refrigerated container outright.

Yes. A long-term lease keeps a unit on your site without the upfront purchase. It suits businesses that need cold storage for a year or more but want to keep cash free. Tell us how long you need the unit, and we will price the lease against buying.

Yes. We stock new and used units at our Manalapan yard. Used units cost less up front. Inventory changes often, so ask what is in stock when you call.

We offer two sizes. Here is how they compare:

Floor space and volume are calculated from the internal dimensions.

Pick a 20ft unit for tight lots and smaller loads. Restaurants, delis, florists, and bakeries often fit this size. Pick a 40ft unit for bulk storage. Grocery resets, frozen meat processors, and large events usually need it.

The 40ft unit holds about 2.5 times the volume of the 20ft. It is twice as long and almost a foot taller inside. Compare both on the 20ft refrigerated container page and the 40ft container specs.

Plan for three things:

• The container footprint, 20' x 8' or 40' x 8'.
• Room for the doors to swing fully open at one end.
• A clear, straight path so the delivery truck can pull in and drive out.

Our delivery site prep guide walks through each step.

Choose electric if your site has a reliable hookup of the right type. It runs quietly and costs less to operate. Choose diesel for events, docks, job sites, and places without grid power. Read the full electric vs. diesel comparison for costs and trade-offs.

Our electric units run on 3-phase power at 230V or 440V. Many small buildings only have single-phase service. Have a licensed electrician check your panel and hookup before delivery day.

A diesel generator powers the refrigeration system. It keeps running as long as it has fuel. Fuel use rises with lower set points, hot weather, and frequent door openings. Check the fuel level every day and top it off before it runs low.

An electric-only unit stops cooling until power returns. The insulated box holds cold for a while, but not forever. If outages are a risk, ask us to add a diesel generator. Learn how containers keep running in storms and grid failures.

Our units hold any set point from -20°F to +70°F. A programmable thermostat lets you freeze, chill, or keep product at cool room temperature.

Yes. Set it as low as -20°F for frozen meat, seafood, or ice. See how frozen meat processors and ice distributors use sub-zero storage.

New units reach set point within hours of power-up. Colder set points and hot days take longer. Load product only after the display shows your target temperature.

Yes. Each unit has automatic defrost and built-in drains. The stainless steel interior and aluminum T-floor clean up fast and keep air moving under your product.

Yes. We can set up temperature monitoring so you keep a record of conditions. Many businesses also place their own digital data logger inside for audit records. Tell us your logging needs when you request a quote.

We deliver across New Jersey, New York City, and the wider Tri-State area. Our yard is at 215 Gordons Corner Road in Manalapan, NJ. Sites elsewhere in the Northeast can ask about delivery.

It depends on unit availability, your site prep, and distance from our yard. The fastest way to lock in a date is to have your site ready and your power confirmed. Call with your address and date, and we will give you a firm delivery day.

• Surface: Use firm, level ground such as concrete, asphalt, or compacted gravel.
• Clearance: Remove vehicles and debris. Check for low wires and branches.
• Door space: Leave room for the doors to open fully.
• Power: For electric units, have the right hookup ready and tested.
• People: Have someone on site to guide the driver and confirm placement.

Open sites get a tilt-bed truck. It tilts the bed and slides the container onto the ground. Tight or raised spots may need a crane or forklift.

The equipment can hold the temperatures food codes require. The FDA Food Code sets cold holding at 41°F or below for foods that need cold holding. That rule sits in section 3-501.16.

Passing inspection also depends on your checks, logs, and handling. Your local health inspector has the final say.

No. FDA does not approve cold storage boxes. It rules on the food and drugs you store. You meet the rules by how you set, check, and log your storage temps.

Yes, as a cold storage step. FDA requires HACCP plans for seafood under 21 CFR Part 123 and for juice under 21 CFR Part 120. USDA requires them for meat and poultry under 9 CFR Part 417.

You set the critical limit, check it, and keep the records. We supply a unit that holds your target.

Often, yes, with your quality team involved.

21 CFR 211.142 requires written storage procedures. It also requires storage under the right temperature, humidity, and light. Our container controls temperature. Your team owns the written steps, humidity, and records. See our pharmaceutical cold storage options.

Check CDC guidance first. The CDC ranks purpose-built and pharmaceutical-grade units highest for routine vaccine storage. A refrigerated container is neither. Ultra-cold vaccines need -76°F or colder, far below our -20°F floor. Many hospitals use our units for other medical supplies instead.

Yes. We deliver before your event and pick up after it ends. You only pay for the time you use. See how we handle stadium and event cold storage.

Usually, yes. Most outdoor venues, fields, and tents lack 3-phase power. A diesel unit runs anywhere the truck can reach. Ask the venue about power before you book.

Book as soon as you have a date. Wedding season and major holidays keep units busy. Share your date, venue address, and power details. Planning a reception? See our options for wedding venues.

Any business that holds product cold and runs short on space. Common fits include:

• Restaurants adding walk-in capacity during renovations or busy seasons.
• Fisheries holding daily catch and frozen inventory.
• Florists protecting stems before holidays.
• Medical labs storing samples at steady temperatures.
• Grocery stores covering resets and remodels.

Browse the full list of industries we serve to find yours.

Share five details and we can quote fast:

• What you store and your target temperature.
• How much product you need to hold.
• How long you need the unit.
• What power your site has.
• Your delivery address and date.