# Turbo Air M3 Reach-Ins: Setup, Temperature and Care > How to set up and care for Turbo Air M3 reach-in refrigerators, freezers and heated cabinets: placement, temperature settings and cleaning. How-to by Norpex. Published 2026-10-15, updated 2026-10-15. Canonical: https://norpex.ca/guides/turbo-air-m3-reach-in-setup-and-care ![Digital temperature display on a stainless steel reach-in refrigerator](https://norpex.ca/m/74/44/7444bede5ab7b653c7d76418ff08dc3a33cf155965bbcf5aac98fd788515b7e6.jpg) Pictured: [Turbo Air – M3 Series 29″ Stainless Steel Reach-In Refrigerator With 1 Field Reversable Door – M3R24-1-N](https://norpex.ca/product/turbo-air-m3-series-29-stainless-steel-reach-in-refrigerator-with-1-field-reversable-door-m3r24-1-n-eta-5-6-weeks) To set up a Turbo Air M3 reach-in, give it 5 inches of rear clearance, level it, run it 24 hours before loading, then set the controller between levels 1 and 7. The steps here come from Turbo Air's installation and operation manual, its cut sheets and the maker's videos. ## Key takeaways - Turbo Air's installation and operation manual says to run the unit 24 hours before loading food. - Keep the rear of the cabinet at least 5 inches from the wall and install indoors between 50°F and 100°F ambient. - The controller defaults to level 4; push the down button toward 7 for colder and the up button toward 1 for warmer. - Clean the condenser coil at least every three months, or blow it out with nitrogen once or twice a year on self-cleaning condenser models. - The manual's reversible door instructions cover the single-door M3R19-1-N, M3R24-1-N, M3R24-1-G-N, M3F19-1-N and M3F24-1-N. ## What the M3 series covers The M3 series is Turbo Air's reach-in line, covering solid and glass door refrigerators, solid door freezers, dual-temperature refrigerator/freezer units and heated holding cabinets. Refrigerators run from the 25.25-inch one-section M3R19-1-N6, with 18.44 cubic feet, through the 29-inch M3R24-1-N at 21.6 cubic feet, the 52-inch two-door M3R47-2-N at 42.3 cubic feet and the 78-inch three-door M3R72-3-N at 65.8 cubic feet. Freezers follow the same footprints, from the 25-inch M3F19-1-N at 18.7 cubic feet to the 78-inch M3F72-3-N at 65.8 cubic feet. Half-door versions split those cabinets into more openings: the M3R24-2-N and M3F24-2-N have two solid half doors, the M3R47-4-N and M3F47-4-N have four, and the M3R72-6-N and M3F72-6-N have six. Glass door refrigerators include the M3R24-1-G-N and M3R47-2-G-N, the dual-temperature M3RF19-2-N and M3RF45-2-N combine freezer and refrigerator sections, and the heated cabinets M3H24-1 and M3H47-2 come in solid door, glass window and tray-slide versions. Turbo Air's demo video Turbo Air / M3 Series Reach-ins introduces the line. The refrigerators and freezers listed here all run on 115/60/1 with a NEMA 5-15P plug and a 9-foot cord; the heated cabinets use the same voltage and plug with an 8-foot cord. Most models use R-290 refrigerant, while the M3R19-1-N6 uses R-600a. The manual warns that both hydrocarbons are flammable: do not puncture the refrigerant tubing, and have repairs done only by trained service personnel. ## Unboxing, placement and levelling Turbo Air's video How To Unbox Reach-in Units shows the unboxing process. The manual asks you to handle the unit carefully, because the refrigerant tubing, condenser and evaporator coils are prone to damage while moving and installing, and never to start a unit that shows signs of damage. The installation section of Turbo Air's installation and operation manual sets the placement rules: Standard units ship on 4-inch swivel casters with locks on the front set, and the cut sheets list optional 2.5-inch and 5-inch casters and a 6-inch stainless steel leg. The video How To Install Casters & Level Reach-In Units shows the caster and levelling work. The cut sheets also note that refrigerator depth excludes 2-1/4 inches for the rear condensate enclosure and 4-3/4 inches of caster height, while heated cabinet depth excludes 1-3/8 inches for the door handle and 5 inches of caster height. Have any new dedicated circuit installed by a qualified, licensed installer to local code. - Install on a firm, level floor that supports the cabinet and its contents. - Keep the rear of the unit no less than 5 inches from the wall; the manual says poor air flow causes vibration noise, inefficient refrigeration and damage to the refrigeration system. - Install indoors only, where the ambient temperature is never over 100°F (43°C) or below 50°F (10°C), away from stoves and hot corners. - Level the unit front to back and side to side, and lock the front casters while it is in use. - Use a grounded, dedicated outlet; no extension cords or adapter plugs, and the plug must stay accessible without moving the unit. ## Start-up and setting the temperature Turbo Air's installation and operation manual says to run the refrigerator or freezer 24 hours prior to usage. To start it, plug in and turn on the power switch located on the control box; the display panel lights and beeps and the compressor begins to run. If the unit has been unplugged, wait at least five minutes before plugging it back in. The default temperature setting is number 4. Push the up and down buttons to set the inside temperature level from 1 to 7: toward 1 for a higher temperature and toward 7 for a lower one. The display shows the inside temperature, and the manual notes the panel shows a dedicated display when the inside temperature is higher than 99°F. The interior light is activated by the switch at the bottom of the grille when the door opens, and the evaporator fan runs only after all doors are completely closed. The video How To Set The Temperature on M3 Refrigerator Units walks through the controller. Freezers defrost automatically: the electronic defrost controller is factory set for a cycle every 6 hours, four times a day, and a manual defrost starts when you press the down button five times while pressing the up button. In freezers and dual-temperature units the manual says good air flow is critical, so load product so it neither presses against the back wall nor reaches within four inches of the evaporator compartment. Dual-temperature models add a turbo freeze button that runs the unit at full speed and a meat button the manual says keeps meats and fishes fresh; push either again to cancel. Heated cabinets hold 140°F to 180°F per the cut sheet, with the on/off switch located on the control panel. ## Reversing a single door Single-door M3 units are field reversible. Turbo Air's manual gives reversible door instructions for the M3R19-1-N, M3R24-1-N, M3R24-1-G-N, M3F19-1-N and M3F24-1-N, and the video How To Reverse The Door For M3 Single Door Units shows the job. Unplug the unit before starting, as the manual directs for repair and cleaning work. The work has two stages. First, remove the top grilles: lift top grille (T), unscrew the screws on top grille (B) including those at its bottom, and pull out the display PCB harness and the door switch harness on the back of top grille (B); the manual cautions you to hold the grille while unscrewing so it does not fall. Second, replace the door: unscrew the top hinge on the right, lift the door off, disassemble the bottom hinge on the left, move the stopper plates to their new positions, rotate the door about 180 degrees, then reassemble the hinges and grilles in reverse order. Left-hinged versions such as the M3R24-2-N-L and the M3H24-1-G-L are also listed if you would rather order the hinge side you need. ## Routine care: condenser, gaskets, shelves and stainless The cleaning section of the manual is the maintenance schedule. The condenser coil must be free of dust, dirt and grease, and should be cleaned at least every three months (90 days) or as needed. Unplug the power cord first, then clean the condenser with a vacuum, brush or CO2 high-pressure air. On self-cleaning condenser models, which the M3R19-1-N6 cut sheet describes as a rotating brush moving up and down daily behind a fine mesh filter, cleaning is not required, but the manual recommends blowing the coil out with nitrogen once or twice a year and notes the condenser cleaner may not remove grease. Empty the drain pan under the unit periodically, and make sure the drain hose goes back into the pan when you reinstall it. Clean the interior and exterior with warm water and soap, without abrasive cleaners. Do not obstruct the air inlet at the back inside of the unit, and keep within the manual's loading note: 110 lb (50 kg) on a shelf, with nothing overhanging its front or rear edge. For stainless steel, the manual prohibits steel wool, abrasives and chlorine-based products. Scrub along the visible polish lines with soft cloths or plastic scouring pads, use alkaline or non-chloride cleaners, rinse and wipe dry, and never use hydrochloric acid. Door gaskets are magnetic, and the cut sheets describe them as one-piece and easy to replace; if a door does not close tightly, the troubleshooting chart says to check whether the door is bent, the unit is level or the gasket has come off, and to reposition the gasket. Accessory shelves include the PE coated wire shelf K1F9000103 for the M3R19 and the stainless steel wire shelf T24H938760 for the heated cabinets. ## When to call the manufacturer's service network The manual asks you to work through its troubleshooting chart first: poor cooling can come from a clogged condenser, a temperature dial in the wrong position or a unit too close to the wall, and noise can come from a weak floor or incorrect levelling. It also lists non-malfunctions, such as a water-flowing sound when the compressor stops, condensation around the door edge and gurgling in the circuit. Restart the unit to see whether the fault repeats; if it persists, switch off and try again after an hour. If the problem continues, contact Turbo Air's customer service with the nature of the problem, the model number, the serial number and your address and phone number; the serial number is on the rating label on the left interior wall. Because these units use flammable R-290 or R-600a refrigerant, the manual requires repairs by a qualified technician familiar with such refrigerants, using genuine replacement parts, and forbids puncturing the refrigerant tubing. Route repairs through the manufacturer's authorized service network, and ask Norpex about any specific M3 model. ## Videos from the maker - [Turbo Air / M3 Series Reach-ins](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q1nYGOXiFE0) (Turbo Air) - [How To Unbox Reach-in Units](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xoaa-bHFCMU) (Turbo Air) - [How To Install Casters & Level Reach-In Units](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaBMnKqrFW8) (Turbo Air) - [How To Reverse The Door For M3 Single Door Units](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mgpMwj-pjHU) (Turbo Air) - [How To Set The Temperature on M3 Refrigerator Units](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzjqoPK_nC4) (Turbo Air) ## Common questions ### How much clearance does an M3 need behind it? Turbo Air recommends the rear of the unit be no less than 5 inches from the wall, with air flow allowed to the rear and sides. The manual says insufficient space causes vibration noise, inefficient refrigeration and damage to the refrigeration system. ### How long should an M3 run before loading it with food? The installation and operation manual says to run the refrigerator or freezer 24 hours prior to usage. Load product only after that period. ### What temperature range does an M3 hold? The refrigerator cut sheet states 33°F to 38°F, and the heated cabinet cut sheet states 140°F to 180°F. The controller offers levels 1 to 7 and defaults to level 4. ### Which M3 units have field reversible doors? The manual covers the single-door M3R19-1-N, M3R24-1-N, M3R24-1-G-N, M3F19-1-N and M3F24-1-N. Half-door and multi-door units are not in the reversible door instructions. ### How often does the condenser need cleaning? At least every three months (90 days) or as needed, after unplugging the unit; use a vacuum, brush or CO2 high-pressure air. On self-cleaning condenser models, blow the coil out with nitrogen once or twice a year instead. ## Related guides - [Reach-In Refrigerator Buying Guide: Doors, Sizes and Compressors](https://norpex.ca/guides/reach-in-refrigerator-buying-guide) - [Commercial Refrigerator and Freezer Temperatures: What to Set and Why](https://norpex.ca/guides/commercial-refrigerator-temperatures) - [How to Receive a Freight Delivery of Commercial Kitchen Equipment](https://norpex.ca/guides/receiving-freight-equipment) ## Shop the catalogue - [Reach-In Refrigerator](https://norpex.ca/products/reach-in-refrigerator) - [Reach-In Freezer](https://norpex.ca/products/reach-in-freezer) - [Holding Cabinets](https://norpex.ca/products/holding-cabinets)