In a commercial kitchen, refrigeration has to do more than keep food cold, it has to stand up to daily use, moisture, cleaning, and constant loading and unloading. One of the biggest factors in how well a unit performs over time is its finish.
Most Continental Refrigerator units come standard with a stainless steel front, aluminum end panels, and an aluminum interior, a balanced combination of durability, corrosion resistance, and cost-effectiveness. From there, operators can choose upgraded finishes based on how and where their refrigeration is used.
Here's a breakdown of Continental's most popular finish options and how to decide which is right for your space.
Understanding Continental's Finish Options
Aluminum
Aluminum is the lightest and most affordable metal
Continental Refrigerator offers. While it's a softer material that can scratch or dent more easily, this usually isn't an issue because aluminum panels are typically located in low-traffic areas like the sides and interior of standard units.
What aluminum does extremely well is resist corrosion. Unlike steel or iron, aluminum does not rust, making it a reliable choice for humid kitchens and prep areas.
Best for:
- Back-of-house storage
- Low-impact environments
- Operators looking for durability at a lower cost
Aluminum Exterior with Stainless Steel Interior
This is one of Continental's most popular upgrade options. It keeps the cost and weight benefits of aluminum on the outside while adding stainless steel where it matters most, inside the cabinet.
The interior of a refrigerator takes the most abuse from metal pans, acidic foods, moisture, and constant use. A stainless-steel interior is stronger, easier to clean, and more resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for high-use kitchens.
Best for:
- Prep kitchens and high-use storage
- Moisture- or acid-heavy food storage
- Operators who want durability inside without full stainless pricing
Stainless Steel Interior & Exterior
Stainless steel is the most durable finish Continental offers. It resists scratching, denting, rust, and corrosion, making it the best option for demanding, high-volume environments.
When both the interior and exterior are stainless steel, the unit is built for maximum longevity and easy sanitation. This configuration is often specified in institutional, healthcare, and education kitchens where equipment sees constant use.
Best for:
- High-volume operations
- Institutional and healthcare kitchens
- Customer-facing or open kitchens
Custom & Modified Finish Options
For operators who want more than a standard silver look, Continental also offers laminates, powder coating, and vinyl wrapping. These options allow kitchens to add color, branding, or design continuity, making refrigeration fit seamlessly into front-of-house or branded environments.
How to Choose the Right Commercial Refrigerator Finish
The best finish depends on how your kitchen actually operates. Consider:
- How often the unit is opened
- Whether it's in a high-traffic area
- Exposure to moisture, acids, and heavy pans
- Whether the unit is visible to customers
From cost-effective aluminum to full stainless and custom finishes, Continental gives operators the flexibility to match their refrigeration to their workflow, not the other way around.
Continental Refrigerator gives operators the flexibility to choose finishes that match how their kitchen really works. Whether you need lightweight, corrosion-resistant aluminum for back-of-house storage, rugged stainless steel for high-volume prep, or custom finishes for a branded front-of-house look, the right materials help extend equipment life, simplify cleaning, and support a smoother daily workflow.
Explore Continental Refrigerator's full lineup of refrigeration solutions, contact your Sam Tell rep to find the right finish, configuration, and performance level for your operation.