Commercial refrigeration is the process of cooling foods and other products to safe temperatures to prevent spoilage and make them more palatable. Many different types of commercial refrigeration systems are used in different industries. The most common are walk-in coolers and blast chillers. Blast chillers are used to quickly cool items, while walk-in coolers are large enough to hold items that need to be kept at a certain temperature.

Three main materials are used in a modern commercial fridge: metals, plastics, and composites. Metals are strong, durable, and good at conducting heat. They are commonly used to construct the exterior and evaporator coils of industrial refrigerators and the condenser coils of air conditioners. Some metals are also magnetic, making them useful for holding signage.