If you are building your own walk-in hunting cooler or freezer, you may not need to purchase a complete cold room.

Many hunters already have a suitable space, such as an insulated shed, garage room, hunting cabin, farm building, or DIY insulated panel room. In this case, what you may need is simply the refrigeration unit to turn that insulated space into a working hunting cooler.

At Freezing Valley Refrigeration Equipment, we supply self-contained monoblock refrigeration units for hunting coolers and freezers, including systems suitable for deer, elk, moose, wild game, meat storage, hunting lodges, farms, and game-processing applications.

You build the room. We help you select the refrigeration system.

Already Have an Insulated Room?

If you have already built your hunting cooler, there is no reason to purchase another complete walk-in cold room.

A typical DIY hunting cooler can be built using:

• Insulated PU/PIR cold-room panels

• A properly insulated floor, walls, and ceiling

• An insulated cold-room door

• Sealed joints to reduce air leakage

• Suitable electrical supply

• A refrigeration unit sized for the room and required temperature

Once the insulated room is ready, a monoblock refrigeration unit can provide the cooling needed to turn it into a functional walk-in game cooler.

This is particularly useful for hunters, hunting clubs, outfitters, farms, ranches, hunting lodges, and game processors who prefer to build the room locally.

What Is a Monoblock Refrigeration Unit?

A monoblock is a self-contained refrigeration system designed for cold rooms.

Unlike a traditional split refrigeration system, where the condensing unit and evaporator are installed separately and connected with refrigerant pipework, a monoblock combines the main refrigeration components into one compact system.

The unit typically includes:

• Compressor

• Condenser

• Evaporator

• Refrigeration controls

• Temperature controller

• Fans

• Defrost system where required

• Refrigerant charge

The unit is supplied as an integrated refrigeration package, helping simplify cold-room installation.

For hunters building their own walk-in cooler, this means you can concentrate on constructing and insulating the room while using a purpose-built refrigeration system for cooling.

Hunting Cooler or Hunting Freezer?

Before choosing your refrigeration unit, one of the most important questions is:

Do you want to chill the game or freeze it?

These are two different refrigeration applications.

Hunting Cooler

A hunting cooler is normally used for chilling and temporarily storing deer, elk, moose, and other game meat before processing.

A common operating range is approximately:

32°F to 40°F (0°C to 4°C)

This can be suitable for hanging and chilling game after a hunt.

Hunting Freezer

If you need long-term frozen storage, you will require a refrigeration system designed for considerably lower temperatures.

A typical freezer may operate around:

0°F (-18°C)

Some low-temperature refrigeration systems can be designed for temperatures around:

-4°F to -13°F (-20°C to -25°C)

The refrigeration equipment must be selected according to the lowest temperature you need, not simply the size of the room.

Can One Monoblock Unit Be Used for a Cooler and Freezer?

Depending on the refrigeration model and system design, some monoblock systems can operate across a wide temperature range.

For example, a properly selected low-temperature monoblock may allow the cold room to operate as a cooler at approximately 32°F and also at freezer temperatures when required.

However, not every refrigeration unit is suitable for both applications.

The compressor, evaporator capacity, refrigerant, ambient conditions, insulation and room size all need to be considered.

If you think you may eventually use your hunting room as a freezer, tell us before ordering so we can recommend the appropriate system.

What Size Refrigeration Unit Do I Need for My Hunting Cooler?

There is no single refrigeration unit that fits every hunting cooler.

The correct capacity depends on several factors, including:

1. Room dimensions

We need the internal or external:

Length × Width × Height

For example:

6 ft × 8 ft × 7 ft high

2. Required temperature

Tell us whether you need:

• 35–40°F game chilling

• 32°F cold storage

• 0°F frozen storage

• Below 0°F low-temperature freezing

3. Insulation thickness

A well-insulated cold room requires less cooling capacity than a poorly insulated structure.

4. Outdoor/ambient temperature

A refrigeration system operating during a hot summer has a much higher heat load than one operating in a cool environment.

5. Product load

Cooling an empty room is very different from bringing a large amount of freshly harvested game down to storage temperature.

6. Electrical supply

For USA projects, let us know the available voltage, phase, and frequency. We can supply refrigeration equipment for 60 Hz applications where specified.

1 HP, 2 HP or Larger?

Small hunting coolers may only require a relatively compact refrigeration system, while larger rooms or lower-temperature applications require more capacity.

For example, we can supply:

• 1 HP monoblock refrigeration units

• 2 HP monoblock refrigeration units

• 3 HP systems

• 4 HP systems

• 5 HP and larger refrigeration systems

However, HP should not be selected based on room dimensions alone.

A 6 × 8 ft room being maintained as a cooler has very different refrigeration requirements from the same room operating as a low-temperature freezer.

Send us your specifications and we can help determine a suitable option.

Perfect for DIY Hunting Cooler Projects

Our monoblock refrigeration systems can be a practical option if you are building a cold room yourself.

For example, you may already have:

A hunting shed

You can construct an insulated room inside the building and install a refrigeration system.

A hunting cabin

Add an insulated cold room for storing game during hunting season.

A garage or workshop

Convert part of the available space into an insulated game cooler.

A farm or ranch

Create a dedicated walk-in room for game, meat, or other temperature-sensitive products.

An existing walk-in cooler

Replace or upgrade the refrigeration equipment without purchasing an entirely new cold room.

Monoblock vs Traditional Split Refrigeration System

Both systems can work well, but they have different installation requirements.

Monoblock Refrigeration System

A monoblock is compact and self-contained.

It can be a good choice when you want:

• Easier installation

• A pre-assembled refrigeration package

• Less refrigerant piping on site

• A compact system

• A solution suitable for DIY cold-room projects

Split Refrigeration System

A traditional split system has a separate condensing unit and evaporator.

It can be better for larger rooms, special applications, or projects where the condenser needs to be located away from the cold room.

Split systems generally require professional refrigeration installation, including refrigerant piping, pressure testing, evacuation, charging, and commissioning.

Monoblock Refrigeration Unit vs CoolBot

Some DIY hunting coolers use a standard air conditioner together with a CoolBot-type controller.

This can be an economical solution for certain above-freezing cooler applications.

A purpose-built monoblock refrigeration system is different.

It is designed specifically as refrigeration equipment for cold-room applications and can be selected for either cooler or freezer duty.

If your goal is simply to keep a well-insulated hunting room above freezing, an A/C-based solution may be worth considering.

However, if you require freezer temperatures, lower operating temperatures, or a dedicated commercial-style refrigeration system, a properly selected monoblock or split refrigeration system may be the better option.

Refrigeration Units for Deer, Elk, Moose & Wild Game

Our hunting cooler refrigeration systems can be used for cold rooms storing:

• Deer

• Elk

• Moose

• Caribou

• Wild boar

• Wild game

• Beef

• Lamb

• Farm meat

• Processed game meat

They can also be suitable for hunting lodges, butcher rooms, farms, ranches, outfitters, meat-processing rooms and other cold-storage applications.

USA Hunting Cooler Refrigeration Units

Freezing Valley supplies refrigeration equipment internationally, including equipment for customers in the United States.

For USA projects, refrigeration units can be selected according to the required 60 Hz electrical supply and application.

Whether you are building a hunting cooler in Texas, Montana, Colorado, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Michigan, Alaska or another state, send us the project information and delivery ZIP code so we can check a suitable refrigeration option and shipping cost.

What Information Do We Need?

Getting a recommendation is simple.

Send us:

1. Cold-room size:
Length × Width × Height

2. Required temperature:
For example, 35°F, 32°F, 0°F or -10°F

3. Insulation:
Panel/wall type and thickness if known

4. Application:
Deer, elk, moose, game meat, general meat storage, etc.

5. Electrical supply:
Voltage / phase / frequency

6. Delivery location:
City, state and ZIP code

We can then review the information and recommend a suitable refrigeration unit for your hunting cooler or freezer.

Build the Room — We Supply the Refrigeration

You don't necessarily need to purchase an expensive complete walk-in cooler.

If you can build or source the insulated room locally, Freezing Valley can help with the refrigeration equipment.

Whether you need a compact refrigeration unit for a small deer cooler or a larger system for a hunting lodge, farm, ranch, or game-processing room, we can help you select a suitable solution.

Need a Refrigeration Unit for Your Hunting Cooler?

Send us your:

Room Size + Required Temperature + Voltage + ZIP Code

and we can recommend a suitable refrigeration system and provide pricing.

email: info(at)freezingvalley.com

Freezing Valley Refrigeration Equipment
Refrigeration solutions for walk-in hunting coolers and freezers.