Commercial RefrigeratorsGlass Door Refrigerator
IDW GS-5 Commercial Refrigerator Manual
Setup, everyday use, maintenance and troubleshooting for the 5.24 cu. ft. glass-door reach-in refrigerator, with verified specifications.
- Volume5.24 cu. ft.
- TypeGlass Door Refrigerator
- Energy use0.88 kWh/day
- Est. yearly cost$54.60
About the IDW GS-5
IDW model GS-5 is a 5.24 cu. ft. glass-door reach-in refrigerator that meets ENERGY STAR efficiency requirements. The cabinet measures 52.3 in. high, 18 in. wide and 20.3 in. deep (133 × 46 × 51 cm).
The cabinet has one glass door (hinged). Defrost is listed as manual: in a refrigerator this normally means the coil defrosts during the compressor's off cycles without a separate heater.
Rated energy consumption is 0.88 kWh per day — about 321 kWh a year, or 0.168 kWh per day for each cubic foot of storage. That is lower total consumption than 81% of the 797 Glass Door Refrigerator models in our database.
Specifications
| Brand | IDW |
|---|---|
| Model number | GS-5 |
| Configuration | Glass Door Refrigerator |
| Application | Reach-in |
| Cabinet orientation | Vertical |
| Total volume | 5.2 cu. ft. |
| Glass doors | 1 |
| Door opening | Hinged |
| Height | 52.25 in. |
| Width | 18.00 in. |
| Depth | 20.25 in. |
| Daily energy use | 0.88 kWh/day |
| Annual energy use (calculated) | 321 kWh/yr |
| Defrost type | Manual |
| Refrigerant | R-600a (GWP:3 | Lower GWP) |
Safety information
- Plug the unit into a grounded receptacle that matches the plug and voltage on the nameplate, preferably on a dedicated circuit. Never use an extension cord, plug adapter or cut off the grounding prong.
- Unplug the unit or switch off its circuit before cleaning the condenser, replacing lamps or removing panels. Condenser fins are sharp — wear gloves.
- Never store flammable liquids, aerosols or chemicals in the cabinet.
- Lock the casters (if fitted) once the unit is in position, and do not stand or sit on the top unless it is a worktop rated for that load — and even then, never stand on it.
- Glass doors and display panels are heavy and can break if slammed or struck. Close them gently and have cracked glass replaced promptly.
Installation and first-time setup
Measure doorways, hallways and the installation space before delivery. This model is 18 in. wide, 52.3 in. high and 20.3 in. deep; allow extra room for door swing and airflow around the condensing unit.
- Choose the location
Install the unit on a level floor away from ranges, fryers, ovens, dish machines and direct sunlight. Hot, poorly ventilated spaces force the compressor to work harder, raise energy use and shorten compressor life.
- Provide airflow
Leave the clearances specified in the installation manual around the condensing unit — at the top or bottom of the cabinet, depending on design — and never store product or boxes on top of a top-mounted condensing unit.
- Uncrate and inspect
Remove packaging, shipping brackets and any tape holding doors or shelves. If the unit was laid on its side during delivery, stand it upright for the time the manufacturer specifies before starting it so compressor oil can settle.
- Level and secure
Adjust legs or shim casters so the cabinet is level; this helps doors close and seal on their own and lets condensate drain correctly. Lock the casters and, for mobile units, fit any restraint the manufacturer or local code requires.
- Check the condensate drain
Make sure the condensate pan or evaporator tray is in place. If the unit drains to the building, run the line to a floor drain with an air gap — never directly into a sewer line.
- Start up and pull down
Plug in the unit, set the control and let the empty cabinet reach 41 °F (5 °C) or below and hold it — typically a few hours — before loading product. Verify with a calibrated thermometer, not just the display.
Using your refrigerator
Holding temperatures
| Product | Target setting | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigerated food | 35–38 °F (2–3 °C) | Keeps TCS (time/temperature control for safety) food below the FDA Food Code limit of 41 °F (5 °C) with a safety margin. |
Check and log cabinet temperature at least twice per shift using a calibrated thermometer placed in the warmest area of the cabinet. The FDA Food Code requires a thermometer in every refrigerated holding unit. Change the control one step at a time and give the cabinet a few hours to settle before adjusting again.
Storing food safely
- Store ready-to-eat foods on top shelves and raw animal foods below them, ordered by cooking temperature: whole seafood and whole cuts of beef and pork above ground meats, with raw poultry on the bottom.
- Cover, label and date-mark ready-to-eat TCS foods; most may be held for no more than 7 days at 41 °F (5 °C), counting the day of preparation.
- Rotate stock first-in, first-out so older product is used first.
- Do not use the cabinet to cool large batches of hot food. Cool food from 135 °F to 70 °F within 2 hours and to 41 °F within a further 4 hours using shallow pans, ice baths or a blast chiller, then transfer it to the cabinet.
Loading for good airflow
- Leave space between products and around any fan, air discharge or return grille so cold air can circulate; tightly packed shelves create warm spots.
- Do not overload shelves beyond their rated capacity or stack product against the back or side walls.
- Keep doors closed as much as possible and never prop them open during deliveries — load in batches instead.
- Keep product behind the load line marked inside the cabinet and face product neatly; overfilled shelves block air and look untidy to customers.
Care and maintenance
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| Every shift | Check and log the cabinet temperature; wipe up spills; make sure doors close and seal. |
| Weekly | Empty and clean shelves, pans and interior surfaces with a mild detergent, rinse, then apply a food-contact sanitizer at the label concentration and let it air-dry. Wipe door gaskets with warm soapy water. |
| Monthly to quarterly | Clean the condenser coil with a stiff brush or vacuum — monthly near fryers and grills, at least quarterly elsewhere. A dirty coil is the most common cause of warm cabinets and compressor failure. |
| Monthly | Inspect door gaskets for tears and gaps, check hinges and self-closing mechanisms, and empty and clean the condensate pan if it is not self-evaporating. |
| Quarterly | Verify the thermometer and display against an ice-point check (32 °F / 0 °C) and clean the evaporator drain line. |
| Annually | Have a refrigeration technician check refrigerant pressures, electrical connections, fan motors and defrost controls. |
| As needed | Clean glass with a non-abrasive cleaner and replace failed lighting; check that anti-condensate heaters keep the glass clear. |
Troubleshooting
Most commercial refrigeration problems trace back to airflow, door seals or a dirty condenser. Work through these checks before calling for service, and consult the code table in your manufacturer's manual if the controller shows an alarm code.
| Problem | Possible cause | What to try |
|---|---|---|
| Cabinet temperature too high | Dirty condenser coil; blocked airflow inside; doors not sealing; hot room; control set too warm. | Clean the coil; rearrange product away from the fan and return; check gaskets and leveling; improve ventilation; lower the setting one step. |
| Compressor runs constantly | Dirty condenser; frequent or long door openings; warm product loaded; low refrigerant. | Clean the coil; reduce door openings; pre-chill product before loading; call a technician if it continues. |
| Evaporator coil iced over | Door left ajar; torn gasket; defrost system fault; humid air entering. | Check doors and gaskets; perform a manual defrost; call for service if the coil keeps icing. |
| Water on the floor or in the cabinet | Clogged condensate drain; drain pan out of place or overflowing; cabinet not level. | Clear the drain line with warm water; reseat or empty the pan; re-level the cabinet. |
| Doors do not close or seal | Cabinet out of level; worn gasket; damaged hinge or closer; product blocking the door. | Level the cabinet; replace the gasket; adjust or replace the hinge; rearrange product. |
| Unusual noise or vibration | Fan blade striking ice or debris; loose panel; cabinet not level. | Clear ice or debris; tighten panels; re-level. Persistent grinding needs a technician. |
| Fog or condensation on the glass | High kitchen humidity; door gasket not sealing; anti-condensate heater off or failed. | Improve ventilation; check gaskets; have the door heater circuit checked if the glass stays fogged. |
Energy use and running costs
The IDW GS-5 is rated at 0.88 kWh per day under the DOE test procedure for commercial refrigeration equipment. Running around the clock, 365 days a year, that is about 321 kWh — roughly $54.60 per year, or $4.55 per month, at $0.17 per kWh.
Normalized for size, the cabinet uses 0.168 kWh per day for each of its 5.24 cubic feet. This figure is useful for comparing cabinets of different sizes within the same configuration.
Among 797 Glass Door Refrigerator models in our database, this unit uses less energy per day than 81% of them.
The rating is measured with doors closed for most of the test in a controlled room. In a busy kitchen, frequent door openings, warm product, high room temperatures and a dirty condenser coil can raise consumption noticeably.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capacity of the IDW GS-5?
The IDW GS-5 has a total interior volume of 5.24 cubic feet behind one glass door.
What are the dimensions of the IDW GS-5?
It measures 52.3 in. high, 18 in. wide and 20.3 in. deep. Allow extra space for door swing and condenser airflow.
How much electricity does the IDW GS-5 use?
It is rated at 0.88 kWh per day, about 321 kWh per year, which costs roughly $54.60 a year at $0.17/kWh.
What temperature should I set my IDW refrigerator to?
Set it to 35–38 °F (2–3 °C) so TCS food stays below the FDA Food Code limit of 41 °F (5 °C).
Does the IDW GS-5 defrost automatically?
It is listed with manual defrost. In a refrigerator this usually means off-cycle defrost: frost melts while the compressor is off, with no defrost heater.
What refrigerant does the IDW GS-5 use?
The certification record lists R-600a (GWP:3 | Lower GWP). Hydrocarbon refrigerants are efficient and climate-friendly but flammable, so service requires technicians trained for them.
Is the IDW GS-5 ENERGY STAR certified?
Yes. It appears on the ENERGY STAR certified commercial refrigerators and freezers list, with a certification date of December 2022.
Sources and disclaimer
Specifications on this page come from the ENERGY STAR certified commercial refrigerators dataset published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (record certified December 13, 2022), retrieved October 7, 2026.
The setup, operating, maintenance and troubleshooting guidance is written by ManualHarbor's editors for this specific product type and configuration. It is an independent guide — not a reproduction of the manufacturer's manual — and ManualHarbor is not affiliated with IDW. Always follow the safety instructions, installation requirements and warranty terms supplied with your unit, and contact IDW or an authorized service provider for warranty repairs and replacement parts.
Running-cost figures use assumed U.S. average utility prices and are estimates for comparison only. See our editorial methodology for details.
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