Reefers (Refrigerated Containers)

Refrigerated Containers (Reefers) in Kenya – Keep Your Goods Cold & Fresh

Do you need to store or transport food, medicine, or other goods that must stay cold or frozen in Kenya? A refrigerated container, also known as a reefer, is the best solution.

At Frontier Containers EA Limited, we understand how important it is to keep temperature-sensitive products safe. We supply high-quality new and used refrigerated containers in Kenya, perfect for businesses like farms, fisheries, dairies, supermarkets, pharmacies, and clinics.

What is a Refrigerated Container (Reefer)?

A refrigerated container, or “reefer,” looks like a normal shipping container on the outside (usually 20ft or 40ft). But inside, it has a powerful built-in refrigeration unit. This unit can make things very cold (frozen) or just keep them cool (chilled), depending on what you need.

Reefers are used all over the world to carry food, drinks, medicine, flowers, and other products that can spoil if they get too hot. In Kenya, they are essential for keeping things fresh and safe.

Why Choose Refrigerated Containers for Your Business?

Here’s why a reefer might be the perfect choice for you:

Reliable Cooling: Reefers have strong, tested cooling systems that work even in Kenya’s hot climate.
Portable: Need to move your cold storage? Reefers are built to be moved easily by truck or ship.
Secure: The strong steel container keeps your valuable goods safe from theft and damage.
Versatile: They can be used as mobile storage (plugged into power) or placed permanently at your farm, shop, or factory.
Scalable: Need more cold storage later? You can buy another reefer and add it to your setup.
Cost-Effective: Buying a reefer can be much cheaper than building a traditional cold room, especially for smaller needs.

Types of Refrigerated Containers We Supply

We offer different kinds of reefers to suit your specific needs:

1. Standard Reefer Containers

Description: These are the most common type. They have a built-in fridge unit that needs to be plugged into an electrical power source (like a 3-phase plug) to work.
Temperature Range:
- Chiller: Can keep goods cool between +2°C to +21°C.
- Freezer: Can keep goods frozen between -18°C to -30°C.
Power Needed: Usually needs 3-phase electricity at 460V @ 60Hz. If you don’t have this power at your site, you might need a special transformer or generator (we can advise on this).

2. Cryogenic Reefer Containers

Description: These special reefers use gases like liquid nitrogen or carbon dioxide to create the cold. They don’t need an electrical plug-in all the time.
Best For: When you need to transport goods without access to electricity, or for very specific ultra-low temperatures.
Note: These are less common and more expensive to run.

3. Water-Cooled Reefer Containers

Description: These reefers use water to help the cooling system work.
Benefits: They can be very efficient.
Drawbacks: They are usually much more expensive than standard electric reefers.

4. Standby/Backup System Reefers

Description: These reefers have a second, backup cooling system inside.
Best For: Storing very important goods where the temperature MUST stay constant, like medicines or vaccines. If the main fridge breaks, the backup system keeps things cold.

Our Refrigerated Container Solutions for Different Needs

Frontier Containers EA Ltd supplies reefers for many different uses:

Ice Plants: For making large amounts of ice for fish, food, or medical use.
Blast Freezers (Impact Freezers): For quickly freezing food products right after processing.
Holding Freezers: For storing already frozen goods for long periods.
Chillers: For keeping food, drinks, or medicine cool (not frozen).
Combination Freezer/Chiller Units: One container that can do both freezing and chilling.

We are a leading company in Kenya for supplying containerized Ice Plants and Blast Freezers, especially designed to work well and last long in tough African conditions. They are built to be strong, need little maintenance, are easy to install, and protect against power supply problems.

Refrigerated Container Sizes & Price Range in Kenya

We supply both 20-foot and 40-foot refrigerated containers. The price depends on the size, condition (new or used), type (chiller/freezer), and brand.

(Please note: Prices are estimates and can change. Contact us for the most current, exact pricing. These prices are for the reefer unit only. Add transport and site prep costs.)

Reefer Container Type	Estimated Price Range (Kshs)	Notes
20ft Reefer Container	1,100,000 – 1,350,000	Good for smaller cold storage needs.
40ft High Cube Reefer Container	1,200,000 – 2,050,000	Larger capacity. More popular. Price varies more due to features.

Important Reminder:

These prices are for the reefer container unit itself.
You will also need to budget for transportation and offloading (see our main article for estimated transport costs, e.g., Kshs. 25,000 – 160,000 for a 40ft unit depending on distance).
Site Preparation: Making a strong, level foundation for the reefer is extra.
Electrical Connection: Getting the right 3-phase power supply to your site is usually your responsibility (or the site owner’s).

Contact Frontier Containers EA Limited Today!

Need reliable, tested refrigerated containers (reefers) in Kenya to keep your goods fresh and safe? Contact Frontier Containers EA Ltd for expert advice, quality units, and fair prices.

Email: info@frontiercontainers.co.ke
Eng. Stephen Karume: Mobile: 0720099714 | Email: steve@frontiercontainers.co.ke
Ann Nyakio: Mobile: 0726668272 | Email: ann@frontiercontainers.co.ke
Website: https://frontiercontainerskenya.com
YouTube Link: https://www.youtube.com/@FrontierContainersEA
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What exactly is a refrigerated container or reefer?

A refrigerated container, often called a "reefer," is a special type of shipping container that has a built-in refrigerator unit. Unlike a normal dry container used for storage, a reefer is designed to keep the inside at a specific cold temperature. This is essential for transporting or storing things like fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, drinks, medicines, and flowers so they don't spoil. The fridge unit is powered by electricity and can make things either cool (chilled) or very cold (frozen).

How much does a refrigerated container cost in Kenya?

The cost of a reefer in Kenya depends on its size, whether it's new or used, and its specific features. Here are estimated price ranges for the reefer unit only (excluding transport and site prep):

20ft Reefer Container: Kshs. 1,100,000 – 1,350,000
40ft High Cube Reefer Container: Kshs. 1,200,000 – 2,050,000 These prices are for tested units that are ready to use. Prices can be higher for brand-new units or ones with special features like backup systems. Remember to also budget for transportation and offloading, which can range from Kshs. 25,000 to 160,000 for a 40ft unit depending on the distance from our yard (see our main article for detailed transport cost estimates).

What sizes of refrigerated containers are available?

We mainly supply the two standard shipping container sizes:

20-foot (20ft) Reefer: This is the smaller size, about 6 meters long. It's good if you have a smaller amount of goods to keep cold or limited space.
40-foot (40ft) High Cube Reefer: This is the larger and more popular size, about 12 meters long and slightly taller than a standard 40ft container. It offers much more storage space for your cold goods. This is the most common choice for businesses. We can help you choose the right size based on how much you need to store or transport.

20ft Reefer Container: Kshs. 1,100,000 – 1,350,000
40ft High Cube Reefer Container: Kshs. 1,200,000 – 2,050,000 These prices are for tested units that are ready to use. Prices can be higher for brand-new units or ones with special features like backup systems. Remember to also budget for transportation and offloading, which can range from Kshs. 25,000 to 160,000 for a 40ft unit depending on the distance from our yard (see our main article for detailed transport cost estimates).

What temperature ranges can refrigerated containers maintain?

Reefer containers can maintain different temperature ranges depending on the goods:

Chiller Mode: Keeps goods cool, usually between +2°C to +21°C. This is good for fruits, vegetables, drinks, dairy, and medicines that need to be kept cool but not frozen.
Freezer Mode: Keeps goods frozen, usually between -18°C to -30°C. This is essential for meat, fish, ice cream, and other frozen foods. Some special "deep freeze" or "cryogenic" reefers can go even colder, down to -60°C, but these are less common and more expensive.

What power supply do refrigerated containers need?

Standard refrigerated containers need a strong electrical power supply to run the fridge unit. The most common requirement is:

3-phase electricity at 460 Volts and 60 Hertz (3ph @ 460V @ 60Hz). This type of power is usually available at industrial sites, ports, or can be provided by a large generator. If your site doesn't have this power, you will need to arrange for a transformer or a suitable diesel generator. We can advise you on the right size of generator or transformer needed for the reefer you choose.

Chiller Mode: Keeps goods cool, usually between +2°C to +21°C. This is good for fruits, vegetables, drinks, dairy, and medicines that need to be kept cool but not frozen.
Freezer Mode: Keeps goods frozen, usually between -18°C to -30°C. This is essential for meat, fish, ice cream, and other frozen foods. Some special "deep freeze" or "cryogenic" reefers can go even colder, down to -60°C, but these are less common and more expensive.

Are refrigerated containers difficult to install or use?

No, they are designed to be relatively easy to use. Once delivered to your site and placed on a level foundation, you simply need to:

Connect it to the correct 3-phase electrical power supply.
Set the desired temperature using the control panel on the reefer unit.
Load your goods. The containers are tested before delivery to make sure they work properly. However, having the right electrical connection at your site is crucial. We recommend discussing your site's power situation with us before purchasing to ensure everything will work smoothly.

How long do refrigerated containers last?

Reefer containers are built very tough, just like normal shipping containers. They are made from thick steel and designed to last for many years, even in harsh conditions. The fridge unit inside also needs regular maintenance (like checking gas levels and cleaning coils) to keep working well and last a long time. With proper care, a good quality reefer container can last for 15-20 years or even longer.

Frontier Containers has been helping Kenyans solve their storage and shipping challenges. With over 13 years of experience, we’ve grown into a trusted name across the country.

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Refers (Refrigerated Containers)