Countertop Bakery Display Case: Refrigerated vs. Dry

A countertop bakery display case is a refrigerated or ambient-temperature glass or acrylic case for displaying pastries. Start with the food’s holding requirements, then choose the dimensions, access and glass shape that suit the counter. The FDA Food Code is a model offered for adoption by jurisdictions; the locally adopted rules govern the installation.

The specifications below are attributed to each manufacturer, including conflicts between product pages and manuals. Published temperature ranges are not tests of loaded food-holding performance.

If a pastry needs time/temperature control for safety, including cream, custard or cheese fillings that meet the Food Code’s TCS definition, choose a refrigerated case that holds the food at 41°F or below. KoolMore CDC-49-SS is a candidate in the nominal 24-inch class, with a maker-listed length of 24.2 inches. Shelf-stable bread, croissants and cookies can sit in a dry VEVOR CX-01 or Winco ADC-2. Verify case temperature with an in-case thermometer such as the CDN FG80 rather than the dial, and use a suitable food thermometer to confirm the food itself meets the limit.

Jump to the picks.

Who this is for, and who should skip it

This is for a coffee shop or small cafe adding a pastry program as a counter upsell, not a dedicated bakery building a full production line. Speccing a 20-foot deli-style case for a standalone bakery? Look at full-size commercial lines instead.

Choose dry display for a confirmed shelf-stable menu. For products that require cold holding, plan refrigerated display and food-temperature checks. Cream, custard and cheese fillings call for a product-specific TCS assessment rather than a blanket rule based on the pastry’s name.

Refrigerated vs. dry: what the Food Code requires

The 2022 FDA Food Code, section 1-201.10(B), defines TCS food:

“Time/temperature control for safety food” means a FOOD that requires time/temperature control for safety (TCS) to limit pathogenic microorganism growth or toxin formation.

The definition includes inclusions, exclusions and pH/water-activity tables. Filling alone is not the complete test. For cold holding, section 3-501.16(A)(2) states:

At 5°C (41°F) or less.

That provision concerns food temperature. Section (A) includes exceptions for preparation, cooking, cooling and time as a public health control; (B) addresses raw shell eggs, and (C) certain liquid-food equipment. Confirm which provisions apply under the locally adopted code.

Case type	What belongs in it	Holding requirement
Refrigerated	Pastries determined to be TCS, including cream, custard or cheese products when their formulation qualifies	Food at 41°F or below under section 3-501.16(A)(2), subject to applicable exceptions
Dry / ambient	Confirmed shelf-stable bread, croissants, cookies and other non-TCS products	No TCS cold-holding requirement; contamination protection still applies

Curved glass vs. straight glass, and the counter-load question

KoolMore describes CDC-49-SS as having curved front glass, while CDUR-3C is a circular tempered-glass case with all-side visibility. VEVOR specifies double-layered tempered glass for XCW-100L without identifying it as straight or curved. Shape alone does not establish usable capacity: KoolMore reports effective volume for CDC-49-SS and gross/net figures for CDUR-3C, while VEVOR’s volume is not labeled net.

Measure the counter and confirm its load capacity for the selected equipment and contents. Allow the installation and access clearances specified for that model. KoolMore’s CDUR-3C page describes sliding doors but also gives an open-door depth using a 90-degree opening; that conflict does not establish a swing-door clearance requirement. Resolve the access arrangement before planning a tight installation.

The picks

Case	Refrigerated / dry	Dimensions (per maker)	Glass	Stated temperature range (per maker)	Certification (per maker)	Best for
KoolMore CDC-49-SS	Refrigerated	24.2 L × 22 W × 34.4 H in, spec sheet; manual height 33.3 in	Curved front	35.6–53.6°F	ETL listed for safety and sanitation	Nominal 24-inch-class refrigerated display; allow 24.2 in length
KoolMore CDUR-3C	Refrigerated	18.9 L × 18.9 W × 40.6 H in, table	Tempered; circular case	Table 32–53.6°F; features 33–53°F; manual 32–50°F	ETL listed for safety and sanitation	Circular display on an 18.9-inch-square footprint
VEVOR XCW-100L	Refrigerated	26.9 × 17.7 × 26.6 in; maker sequence	Double-layered tempered; shape unspecified	36–46°F	VEVOR claims ETL and DOE dual certification	Two-shelf refrigerated display with rear sliding access
VEVOR CX-01	Dry / ambient	20.7 × 13.2 × 11.9 in, manual	Acrylic, not glass	No temperature control	No claim established in cited maker material	Shelf-stable pastries with front customer access
Winco ADC-2	Dry / ambient	21 L × 18 W × 12 H in	Acrylic, not glass	Ambient; no refrigerated range	No claim established in cited maker material	Two-tray shelf-stable display with front/rear doors

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Refrigerated cases and temperature monitoring

Curved-front refrigerated case in the nominal 24-inch class

KoolMore CDC-49-SS Countertop Bakery Display Refrigerator

Dimensions

24.2 L × 22 W × 34.4 H in per KoolMore's spec sheet; manual height 33.3 in

Capacity

5.1 cu ft total effective volume per KoolMore's manual

Glass

Curved front per KoolMore

Temperature range

35.6–53.6°F per KoolMore's spec sheet and manual

Certification

ETL listed for safety and sanitation, per KoolMore's spec sheet

Choose it when a 24.2-inch-long refrigerated case suits the counter. KoolMore's spec sheet and manual disagree on height, so confirm the required clearance before ordering. The product page's table identifies CDC-69-SS; its figures do not describe this model. For TCS pastries, verify food at 41°F or below.

Specs: KoolMore CDC-49-SS product page, model-specific spec sheet and manual

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Circular refrigerated display on an 18.9-inch-square footprint

KoolMore CDUR-3C Circular Refrigerated Countertop Display Case

Dimensions

18.9 L × 18.9 W × 40.6 H in per KoolMore's table; manual height 40.55 in

Capacity

5.3 cu ft gross / 2.5 cu ft net per KoolMore's table; manual lists 3.5 cu ft storage volume

Glass and shelves

Tempered glass, circular case, 2 adjustable glass shelves per KoolMore

Temperature range

KoolMore: table 32–53.6°F; features 33–53°F; manual 32–50°F

Certification

ETL listed for safety and sanitation, per KoolMore

The circular layout offers all-side visibility per KoolMore. Its temperature statements conflict, and gross, net and storage volumes should not be treated as interchangeable. Amazon lists the black finish; KoolMore's table lists stainless steel. Confirm the finish and access arrangement for the unit ordered.

Specs: KoolMore CDUR-3C product page and manual; Amazon listing for finish

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Two-shelf refrigerated display with rear sliding door access

VEVOR XCW-100L Countertop Pastry Display Case

Dimensions

26.9 × 17.7 × 26.6 in per VEVOR, in the maker's stated sequence

Capacity

3.5 cu ft / 100 L and 2 dipped shelves, per VEVOR

Glass and access

Double-layered tempered glass; rear sliding door, per VEVOR

Temperature range

36–46°F per VEVOR

Noise

45 dB(A) or less, per VEVOR

Certification

ETL and DOE Dual Certification, VEVOR's claim

The rear sliding access suits a staff-served layout. VEVOR's published range still extends above 41°F, so verify food temperatures for TCS items. Its ETL and DOE wording is a manufacturer claim, not independent confirmation of sanitation certification or government approval.

Specs: VEVOR XCW-100L manufacturer product page

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In-case temperature monitoring alongside food-temperature checks

CDN FG80 Refrigerator/Freezer Thermometer

Range

−40 to 80°F / −40 to 27°C dual scale, per CDN

Accuracy

±2°F (1°C), per CDN

Certification

NSF listed under Component Design Northwest, Inc. DBA CDN

Use the FG80 to monitor the refrigerated case instead of relying on the thermostat dial. Its stated accuracy matters near the 41°F limit. A case reading does not substitute for a suitable food thermometer when checking the food itself.

Specs: CDN FG80 specifications and NSF/ANSI 2 directory entry for FG80

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The picks: dry and ambient cases

Use these cases for confirmed shelf-stable products. Neither is a substitute for refrigerated holding of TCS pastries.

Dry display with front customer access and rear staff access

VEVOR CX-01 2-Tier Acrylic Pastry Display Case

Dimensions

20.7 × 13.2 × 11.9 in per VEVOR's CX-01 manual

Construction

5 mm PMMA acrylic frame, 2 tiers and removable trays, per VEVOR

Access

Front flip door and rear hinged magnetic access, per VEVOR

Temperature control

Dry / ambient; no temperature control

Certification

No NSF, ETL or UL claim established in cited VEVOR material

VEVOR explicitly describes the front door as allowing customers to self-select products, so customers can reach in from the front. Use it for shelf-stable pastries and plan contamination protection for the actual service setup. The manual and product table differ on tray dimensions; confirm tray fit if using replacements.

Specs: VEVOR SKU 010594331700 product page and CX-01 manual

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Ambient two-tray display with front and rear doors

Winco ADC-2 2-Tier Acrylic Display Case

Dimensions

21 L × 18 W × 12 H in, per Winco

Construction

Acrylic, 2 tray slots and 2 trays, per Winco

Access

Front and rear spring-hinged doors, per Winco

Temperature control

Ambient acrylic display case, per Winco's 2026 catalog

Certification

No certification claim established in cited Winco material

Winco classifies ADC-2 as ambient equipment in its display catalog. Choose it for shelf-stable products when its 21 × 18-inch footprint and front/rear access suit the counter. The doors do not establish compliance for every self-service arrangement.

Specs: Winco ADC-2 manufacturer page and 2026 Display catalog

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Checking NSF, ETL, and UL claims model by model

According to NSF’s food equipment standards portfolio, NSF/ANSI 7 covers commercial refrigerators and freezers, including display refrigerators; NSF/ANSI 2 covers broader food equipment. Passive equipment is not categorically outside certification scope. A standard’s name and the organization certifying a product are separate details: ETL sanitation wording does not mean certification by NSF.

KoolMore states ETL safety and sanitation listing for CDC-49-SS and CDUR-3C. VEVOR states ETL and DOE dual certification for XCW-100L. These are maker claims; match the exact model and standard in the listing body’s directory before relying on them for an installation. DOE explains in its manufacturer FAQ that database inclusion does not constitute DOE approval.

The NSF directory includes FG80 as a dual-scale low-temperature holding thermometer under Component Design Northwest, Inc. DBA CDN. That thermometer listing does not certify the refrigerator it sits in. No certification claim is established by the cited maker material for the two acrylic cases; that is not proof that certification is absent or unnecessary.

Self-serve or full-serve? The sneeze-guard question

FDA Food Code section 3-306.11 requires displayed food to be protected from contamination through packaging; counter, service-line or salad-bar food guards; display cases; or other effective means. It excepts nuts in the shell and whole raw fruits and vegetables intended for consumer hulling, peeling or washing before consumption. A bare counter is not the same as a food guard, and a rear-door case does not automatically establish compliance.

NFPA describes NFPA 96 as covering commercial kitchen ventilation and fire-suppression systems. Determine its applicability to the buildout with the fire authority rather than assuming a display case creates an exemption.

Where this fits in the rest of your buildout

A pastry case is one line item in a larger buildout. Plan it alongside the coffee shop equipment list. If the menu calls for additional equipment, consider a commercial crepe maker, undercounter refrigerator or countertop dough proofer.

For gelato or ice cream, see countertop gelato display cases. For a larger bakery project, see bakery franchise costs, cafe furniture and the cafe equipment hub.