What Ventilation Clearance Means
Liebherr publishes specific clearances for its commercial cabinets, and they are larger than most kitchens leave. The upright models want at least 20 cm between the top of the appliance and the ceiling; the chest models want 20 cm between the ventilation grille and the wall, 20 mm all round the housing, and the gap between the base and the floor left uncovered.
Common Causes of Ventilation Clearance
- Boxes, trays or equipment stored on top of an upright cabinet
- The cabinet pushed tight to a wall or boxed into a recess without the specified gap
- A mat, plinth or build-up of debris closing the gap beneath a chest unit
🔧 One Safe Check You Can Try
Measure what the cabinet actually has rather than what it was given on installation day. Storage stacked on top of a commercial fridge is the single most common breach of the ceiling clearance, and mats or plinths pushed under a chest cabinet are the most common breach of the floor gap.
⚠ Why You Shouldn't Go Further Than That
- Restricted clearance makes the compressor work against its own rejected heat, which costs running hours continuously and shortens the appliance's life quietly.
- A cabinet that only struggles during busy periods is often a clearance problem rather than a refrigeration one, and measuring the gaps is cheaper than diagnosing the cooling.
Opening a panel to inspect or repair something yourself doesn't automatically cancel your manufacturer's warranty — but it can risk accidental damage, and some manufacturers do have specific service conditions. Check your product's warranty terms, or ask us, before deciding.