20ft Reefers

20ft refrigerated shipping containers are available to hire in London. Ideal for temperature-sensitive cargo, they meet storage and transportation requirements.

20ft reefer Container

20ft Refrigerated Container Hire in London

For London’s food distributors, event planners, and pharmaceutical companies, maintaining an unbroken cold chain is not optional; it is a critical operational requirement. Shipping Containers of London provides high-specification 20ft refrigerated containers (commonly known as 'reefers') for hire, offering an immediate and reliable solution to cold storage constraints.

Whether you require temporary overflow capacity for a wholesale market in Nine Elms, additional freezer space for a catering event in Hyde Park, or secure pharmaceutical storage in White City, our fleet is ready for rapid deployment. We deliver precise, temperature-controlled environments directly to your premises, removing the need for costly off-site warehousing.

Precision Climate Control on Your Doorstep

Our hire fleet consists of modern, energy-efficient units designed to perform in demanding environments. Unlike standard insulation, these containers utilise active refrigeration machinery to maintain a set temperature with pinpoint accuracy.

  • Wide Temperature Range: Our units can maintain internal temperatures between -25°C and +25°C, making them suitable for deep-frozen goods, chilled produce, or ambient-controlled pharmaceuticals.
  • Hygiene Standards: Interiors are lined with food-grade stainless steel and aluminium, ensuring easy cleaning and compliance with strict health and safety regulations.
  • Financial Flexibility: Renting allows you to scale your storage capacity up or down seasonally without the significant capital expenditure of purchasing a permanent cold store.

Technical Specifications and Features

When you hire a 20ft reefer from us, you receive a unit engineered for reliability and safety.

  • Dimensions: The 20ft unit offers approximately 1,000 cubic feet of storage space within a footprint of 20ft x 8ft. This compact size allows it to fit into standard parking bays or loading docks.
  • T-Bar Flooring: The floor is constructed from aluminium T-bars. This design is crucial as it allows cold air to circulate underneath the cargo, ensuring uniform temperature distribution and preventing 'hot spots' within the load.
  • Safety Mechanisms: All our hire units are fitted with internal emergency door releases, panic alarms, and internal lighting to ensure the safety of your staff.
  • Security: The heavy-duty container doors are fully lockable and weatherproof, providing robust protection against theft and the elements.

A white reefer shipping container with a blue machinery section, located in a port area with other containers around.
A white shipping container with specifications, placed among other shipping containers at a docking area.
An open shipping container with an empty interior, surrounded by stacked containers in the background.
A stack of shipping containers in a storage area, with clear blue skies and a nearby wall.
Three stacked white shipping containers against a blue sky, with a logo partially visible in the foreground.
Two shipping containers are parked closely together, displaying various cargo specifications and safety warnings.
Two shipping containers stand side by side, displaying labels and caution signs in a bright, sunny setting.
A Thermo King refrigeration unit inside a shipping container, with warning labels and control panel visible.
An empty, dark cargo space with ridged flooring and smooth walls, illuminated faintly.
A large white shipping container at a port, with a clear blue sky overhead and another container in the background.
A white shipping container beside other stacked containers under a blue sky, featuring safety labels and details.
A white shipping container stands in an industrial area, with other containers visible in the background.

Installation and Power Requirements

To ensure a seamless hire experience, it is vital to prepare your site correctly. Our logistical team will guide you through this process.

  1. Power Supply: The standard 20ft reefer requires a 3-phase, 32-amp, 415V power supply with a 5-pin CEE plug (earth, neutral, and three phases). If your site only has single-phase power, please inform us immediately, as we may be able to supply a specifically modified unit or advise on generator hire.
  2. Ground Conditions: The container must be placed on a hard, level surface. This is essential not only for the delivery vehicle but also to ensure the machinery operates correctly and the doors open smoothly.
  3. Professional Delivery: We utilise HIAB crane lorries to offload the container. Please ensure there is adequate clearance for the vehicle to access your site.

Sector-Specific Applications

Our refrigerated containers support a diverse range of industries across the capital:

  • Event Catering: Essential for keeping food and beverages chilled at festivals, weddings, and corporate events.
  • Retail Seasonal Overflow: Used by supermarkets and butchers during peak periods like Christmas to store turkeys and fresh produce.
  • Floristry: Vital for maintaining the longevity of cut flowers at markets such as New Covent Garden.
  • Medical and Scientific: Secure storage for temperature-sensitive compounds and medical supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to rent a 20ft refrigerated container?

Rental rates depend on the duration of the hire and your location within London or the Home Counties. Short-term hires typically carry a higher weekly rate than long-term contracts. Delivery and collection fees are calculated based on the mileage from our depot. Please request a quote for an accurate price.

Do I need a 3-phase power supply?

Yes, the majority of high-performance reefers require a 3-phase, 32-amp supply. This industrial-grade power ensures the machinery can handle the load of cooling a 20ft steel box. Single-phase units exist but are rarer and less powerful; we can discuss generator options if 3-phase power is not available on your site.

Are the containers noisy?

Modern refrigeration units are relatively quiet, but they do generate a hum similar to that of a large air conditioning unit or an idling lorry engine. If you plan to place the unit in a residential area, please consider the noise impact on neighbours, especially at night.

What happens if the machinery breaks down?

We offer a breakdown service for our rental fleet. In the unlikely event of a mechanical failure, we will send an engineer to repair the unit. We recommend that all clients insure their goods, as we cannot accept liability for their contents.

Can I use a reefer for both frozen and chilled storage?

No. The container operates at a single set-point temperature. It functions as a single large climate-controlled room. If you need both frozen and chilled storage, you would need to hire two separate containers or use internal thermal partitions (which we can advise on).

A few of our Trustpilot reviews.

Amazing Service

Jeremy and the Team were very easy to work with. extremely quick to respond to our needs and the overall delivery was spot on. The container supplied was brand new and exceptionally clean, ready for our items to be stored safely and securely.

What a refreshing experience

What a totally, refreshingly, brilliant company to deal with. They do what they say they will do at a time they say they will do it. Completely up front about everything: quality, cost, delivery etc. Nothing hidden. They accommodate the customer as far as humanly possible and their communications are spot on. I wish more companies were like this one.

20' x 8' Container Delivery

The service from this company was excellent. We were working to tight deadlines and Jeremy was incredibly prompt in his communication, from the initial quote to the follow up email, to check everything had been received. He phoned the haulier and arranged a delivery around our schedule and Andy (the driver), kept us informed, so we knew exactly when he was arriving.

A professional company, that I would recommend highly.