One of the more cost-effective ways to acquire a three door commercial freezer is to check out used options. When buying used systems, though, it helps to have a checklist in mind. Here are 5 things you'll want to be aware of when you're looking at what's for sale.
Age
The age of the system matters for two specific reasons. First, you can probably get a heck of a deal on a system from the 1970s. That's great, but the odds are the added total cost of ownership due to higher energy bills would eat up any savings from buying used within a couple of years.
Second, age should be thought of in terms of wear and tear. If the unit is five years old but has been mostly idle for those five years, there's a good chance you'll be getting a great deal. That might sound unlikely, but a lot of systems come from businesses that didn't necessarily last all that long. Make sure you can determine the lifetime hours in operation before you buy.
Choice of Materials
It's important to understand the differences between a used stainless steel three door freezer and a unit that uses, for example, glass. Folks who don't need display capacity also probably don't need anything that looks too fancy. A used stainless steel three door commercial freezer will clean up nicely with a bit of attention too.
Seals
Plenty of used equipment has problems with seals. It's a fixable issue, but you'd much rather identify it upfront if possible.
Look at the gaskets around the edges of the doors. If they look faded or dry, they've probably aged poorly. Similarly, cracks are almost always a bad sign. You should also see if they're still springy. If the seal doesn't spring to the touch, it's probably going to need to be replaced.
There's nothing wrong with replacing seals if you have to. Just make sure you point it out to the seller. They might knock a little off the price or offer to do the replacement.
Hinges
Doors should swing freely. If the hinges appear stiff or sticky, you might be in for a fairly hefty repair bill, especially with a system like a used stainless steel three door freezer.
Warranties
A warranty isn't absolutely necessary, but the lack of a warranty should be reflected in the price. If a warranty is offered, make sure to get in writing what components it will cover and for how long.