Bar refrigeration isn't just about having a place to stash your drinks. It's about maintaining the right temperature and ensuring your beverages are served as they were meant to be –cold, refreshing, and full of flavor. From back bar fridges to draft beer dispensers, bottle coolers, and glass/plate chillers, Eleven36 has got you covered with everything you need to keep your bar running smooth and cool, whether you're selling cold beer or fancy ice cream desserts.
Cool Choices for a Hot Bar: Types of Bar Refrigeration Equipment
Good as Cold: Refrigerated Back Bar Storage
Known as the Swiss army knife of bar refrigeration, back bar coolers are frosty fellows that can store anything from beer bottles and cans, seltzers, and wine to cocktail ingredients. With options for glass or solid doors and self-closing doors, you have versatility at your frosty fingertips.
Pros:
- Versatility: These units can store just about anything behind the bar that needs to be cold. Basic bottles and cans? Easy. Fruits and garnishes? Of course! Whipped cream, hot sauce, and Rumplemintz? It fits!
- Visibility: If you opt for glass doors, your customers can see the vast array of options available to them, which can entice them to try something new. Solid doors are sleek and stylish.
- Efficiency: A back bar refrigerator is designed to hold bottles and cans most efficiently, maximizing storage space.
- Temperature Control: These units ensure that each beverage is kept at its ideal serving temperature, maintaining the best flavor and quality.
- Convenience: They provide bartenders with easy drink access, speeding up service time.
Cons:
- Space Requirement: Commercial back bar coolers can take up a significant amount of space, which might be challenging for smaller bars or establishments.
- Energy Consumption: Back bar refrigeration consumes considerable electricity depending on the model and usage.
- Maintenance: To keep these units functioning optimally, you must clean and maintain them. Without proper care, they can develop issues. And yes, the high-quality stainless steel doors get covered in fingerprints and stickiness (we're sorry!).
- Cost: High-quality back bar fridges can be an investment. However, the benefits often outweigh the initial costs in the long run.
- Noise: Some models may produce noise while operating, potentially adding to the bar's ambient noise.
The Beer Necessities: Draft Beer Dispensers
Picture this: a system with reach-in refrigerators right below the draft beer dispensers. More drinks, less time, and frostier fun!
Pros:
- Freshness: Cold draft beer is typically fresher than bottled or canned beer, providing a superior taste experience for your customers.
- Economical: Buying beer in kegs for use in a draft system is often cheaper per ounce than buying individual bottles or cans.
- Variety: Draft systems allow you to offer a wider variety of beers, including special seasonal or limited-edition brews that might not be available in bottles or cans. You can also store full or half-barrel kegs in draft beer dispensers.
- Environmental Impact: Kegs are reusable, making them a more environmentally friendly option than single-use bottles or cans.
- Visual Appeal: A row of taps can be an attractive visual element in your bar, adding to the overall atmosphere and decor.
Cons:
- Maintenance: Draft systems require regular cleaning and maintenance to keep the beer tasting good. This might involve additional costs and labor.
- Waste: If you don't sell through a keg before the beer goes bad, you might have to throw out the remaining beer, leading to waste.
- Space Requirement: Kegs and the cooling systems required for draft beer can take up a lot of space.
- Initial Investment: Setting up a draft beer dispenser can be expensive, with costs for the dispensing system, refrigeration, and potentially remodeling your bar to accommodate the system.
- Limited Shelf Life: Once tapped, kegs have a limited shelf life (generally 20-30 days), and the beer quality can decline significantly.
'Bottle' Up the Cold: Bottle Coolers
Think of bottle coolers as the back bar fridge's cousin. They're designed to hold bottles of beer in the most efficient way possible.
Pros:
- Efficiency: Bottle coolers are designed to maximize storage space, allowing you to store many bottles in a compact area.
- Quick Chilling: These coolers chill beverages quickly and keep them at the perfect temperature for serving.
- Versatility: Bar beer coolers can be used for bottled beverages, including beers, ciders, and non-alcoholic drinks.
- Visibility: Many bottle coolers feature glass doors, allowing customers to see the available options, boosting sales.
- Easy Access: The bottle coolers' design allows quick and easy access to drinks, speeding up service times.
Cons:
- Space Requirements: While they are designed to be efficient, bottle coolers still require a certain amount of space, which might be a challenge in smaller bars.
- Energy Consumption: Bottle coolers can consume a significant amount of electricity depending on their size and how often they're accessed.
- Maintenance: These units won't last as long as possible without proper cleaning and regular maintenance.
- Cost: High-quality bottle coolers can come with a hefty price tag, but it's essential to consider the long-term benefits and savings.
- Noise: Some models may produce a certain noise level while operating, which could contribute to your establishment's overall noise level.
Chill Out, Dine In: Glass and Plate Chillers
Glass and plate chillers ensure your attractive frosted glasses, mugs, and plates are as cool as a cucumber whenever you need them.
Pros:
- Improved Taste: Chilled glasses, beer mugs, and plates can enhance the taste of certain beverages and foods, providing a better customer experience.
- Longer Freshness: Cold plates can help keep food fresh for longer to reduce waste.
- Professional Presentation: Serving drinks in chilled glasses and food on chilled plates can add a touch of professionalism to your service.
- Versatility: These units can chill a variety of glassware and plate types, making them a flexible addition to any kitchen or bar.
- Efficiency: With these chillers, you can quickly cool multiple glasses or plates at once, saving time during busy periods.
Cons:
- Space Requirement: These appliances require additional space in your kitchen or bar area, which may not be available in smaller establishments.
- Energy Consumption: Plate and glass chillers run continuously to keep the barware cold, which can increase your energy costs.
- Cost: High-quality glass and plate chillers can be expensive to purchase and maintain.
- Maintenance: You must regularly clean and maintain these units to keep them functioning optimally.
- Limited Use: If your establishment doesn't regularly serve items that benefit from being served in chilled glassware or on chilled plates, the chiller may not be used to its full potential, thereby not justifying its cost.
Space: The 'Frost'ier Frontier
With so many commercial bar coolers, glass chillers, and other underbar equipment available in a variety of sizes, it can be hard to know what will work for you and your layout.
That's why it's so important to know your measurements before purchasing bar refrigeration units. Consider the space your bartenders need to move around and make drinks comfortably. The more space you have, the more you can make. This allows for menu expansion, which will draw in more customers.
It's okay to be realistic about the available space – both behind the bar and in other easy-access storage areas. If you know a glass and plate chiller is a luxury your bar can't afford, don't invest just to stay on trend.
Cold Star Brands: Eleven36 Carries the Best in Bar Refrigeration
We carry top brands known for crafting the highest quality commercial equipment, such as True Manufacturing and Maxx Cold. These top-rated brands are known for their durability and longevity.
- True Manufacturing’s Glass Door Bar Back Cooler is one of the most common bar back coolers in the restaurant business. The sleek design, glass doors, and storage capacity make it a go-to cooler option.
- If you look behind any bar, you’re likely to see a Krowne Bottle Cooler. The variety of sizes means ultimate storage – a great deal in bars that sling lots of beers!
- Eleven36 carries deal-finder scratch and dent Hoshizaki equipment like keg coolers and beverage coolers. We aim to supply restaurant and bar owners at any stage of their business journey.
Stay King of the Chill: Cleaning and Maintenance
Bar refrigerators are crafted with high-quality stainless steel that is easy to clean, making the task easier for staff to maintain regularly. Regular cleaning prevents mold and bacteria build-up, ensuring healthier drinking and happier customers. A cleaner storage system preserves its life and gets you the most of your investment.
Cleaning stainless steel refrigeration equipment requires no special supplies – great news for your staff! Soft linens like microfiber towels and non-abrasive sponges are gentle on the surface. Mild cleaners like vinegar and dish soap will clean away spills, stains, and pesky fingerprints. Another stainless steel cleaning trick? Club soda – something most bars have plenty of!
The Ice-ing on the Cake: Eleven36's Frosty Solutions
If you're looking to turn your bar into the coolest spot in town, Eleven36 has got you covered with a wide selection of bar coolers. We're a trusted partner, no matter what kind of bar equipment or tools you need to make your business dreams a reality.
It’s important to know the different types of bar refrigeration on the market, as well as the needs of your business. Take the time to research and assess your inventory, menu, and spatial and storage limitations to ensure you’re looking at exactly the right refrigeration equipment you need. Once you make the investment, take steps to clean and maintain the equipment properly for the longest possible lifespan. You can find the leading bar fridge and cooler brands at Eleven36, whether you’re searching for used or brand-new digs.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you find the right commercial bar refrigeration equipment.