Abstract: A countertop rapid cooler is disclosed for rapidly cooling food, drink, and other items using at least convection cooling. the cooler includes: a thermally insulated enclosure with a door and sized to fit on a countertop; a fan; and a convective heat exchanger for cooling air blown by the fan toward an item within the enclosure. The convective heat exchanger is capable of receiving coolant from a neighboring refrigeration unit (such as a refrigerator), and returning the coolant to the neighboring unit after use. In some embodiments, expanded coolant can be delivered from the neighboring unit's expansion valve. In other embodiments, unexpanded coolant can be delivered from the neighboring unit, to be expanded by a separate expansion valve located within the countertop rapid cooler. By not including its own compressor or condenser, the countertop rapid cooler is lighter, and uses less space, than currently available rapid cooling devices.