A commercial bar fridge is essential to the success of any bar or pub. The critical thing to note is that you must make sure that it is the right size for your bar and that it fits correctly.
You must make sure that you choose the correct size for two reasons. Firstly, the wrong size will waste your energy resources. For example, a small fridge will be a waste of money if you have a small bar. It will also mean that your beer won’t last as long, and your customers will be disappointed.
Secondly, the wrong size can cause unnecessary problems. For example, a bigger fridge may struggle to keep up if you are trying to store large amounts of beer. It can also cause a delay in the ice forming, which you don’t want to happen if you have a busy night.
Once you have decided on the correct type of fridge for your bar, it is time to look at the different selections available.
Upright Bar Fridge
These are fridges that stand upright. They are usually made from glass or PVC and come in various shapes and sizes. They are great for storing a range of drinks, including beer, wine, cider, and soft drinks.
They usually come with shelving and drawers, so they are relatively easy to organize. However, they tend to be larger and pricier than other bar fridges.
Undercounter Bar Fridge
These are fridges which sit below the counter. They are usually made from glass and have some shelves. They tend to be cheaper and smaller than upright bar fridges and are often designed for smaller bars.
They are great for when you are out behind the bar and need some drinks to keep you going. They line up neatly below the counter and don’t take up too much space.
Freestanding Bar Fridge
These are freestanding bar fridges. They usually come as a unit and are very easy to install. They typically come with shelves and drawers and can have separate compartments for different drinks.
They are usually more expensive than undercounter bar fridges and best for bars with much space.
Commercial Bar Fridges
The most important thing to consider with commercial bar fridges is the amount of ice that they will hold.
Different fridges have varying capacities. The maximum capacity will always be stated on the invoice. Remember that it is only the amount that the fridge can hold once it has stopped cooling. Once it is cooled down again, it can hold more than stated on the invoice.
More ice = Longer ice lifespan
Bigger fridge = Bigger ice capacity
Capacity (The Most important Factor)
Capacity is the most important factor. Bigger capacity means that you can have more ice in a smaller fridge.
The Lifespan
The lifespan of ice depends on a few different things, The amount of drinks that you store in the fridge.
The temperature of the drinks
If you store drinks at the correct temperature and they stay hydrated, then they will last longer. Drinking drinks which are too warm will shorten the lifespan.
The room temperature is usually one of the most important factors. Keep the fridge in a room where there is constant temperature. For example, if you have an open floor bar, then make sure that the fridge is in a room where it is not too hot or too cold.
How Often Should I Change the Ice
If you are storing many drinks, then you will need to change it regularly. However, this will depend on the fridge.
Some fridges have removable baskets which allow you to change the ice. However, others don’t.
If you happen to have a fridge which you can change the ice, then you do need to make sure that you change it regularly.
The storage
The storage is another important factor. If you store drinks which are too close to each other then it can cause a thermal shock. This can shorten the lifespan of the ice.