Best Back Bar Fridge
When setting up your bar, choosing the right back bar fridge is crucial. These compact, glass-fronted units fit neatly under or behind the counter, keeping your drinks cool and looking great. They offer benefits like maintaining the right temperature, efficient stock management and enhancing the visual appeal of your beverages. With various options available, from energy efficiency and durability to storage capacity and ease of maintenance, finding the ideal back bar fridge can make a big difference in how smoothly your bar operates and how happy your customers are.
The Top Best Back Bar Fridges
- Husky Eco – Best Return on Investment (link to section)
- Gamko Maxiglass – Best High End (link to section)
- Polar G-Series – Best Budget (link to section)
- Husky Plus – Best Overall (link to section)
What is a Back Bar Fridge?
A back bar fridge, also known as an under-counter fridge or a bar cooler, is a small, glass-fronted fridge designed to fit under or behind the counter. It keeps drinks cool and displays them nicely for customers. These fridges come in different sizes and setups, fitting neatly into various bar layouts. You’ll find them behind the bar in pubs, restaurants, cafes, and other places where people gather for a drink, making it easy for bartenders to grab chilled beverages quickly.
The main job of a back bar fridge is to keep drinks at the right temperature, ensuring they are refreshing and enjoyable. They also help manage stock efficiently, allowing bartenders to access a range of chilled drinks, from beers and wines to soft drinks and mixers, without hassle.
There are several types of back bar fridges, each suited to different needs:
- Single Door Back Bar Fridge: Great for smaller bars with limited space, these units hold a moderate number of drinks.
- Multiple Door Back Bar Fridge: Larger and able to store more drinks, making them perfect for busier spots.
These fridges come with features that make them even more useful:
- Sliding Doors: Ideal for tight spaces where regular doors might not work.
- Adjustable Shelves: Customise to fit different bottle sizes and shapes.
- LED Lighting: Makes contents easy to see and enhances their appeal.
- Temperature Control: Keeps drinks at the perfect serving temperature.
- Energy Efficiency: Modern back bar fridges use less energy, saving money and reducing environmental impact.
- Locking Doors: Prevent unauthorised access, protecting valuable items like premium spirits.
Investing in a back bar fridge offers many benefits:
- Space Utilisation: Uses available space efficiently by fitting under or behind the bar.
- Improved Service Efficiency: With easy access to drinks, bartenders can serve customers faster.
- Enhanced Presentation: Glass-fronted fridges with LED lighting make drinks look appealing, potentially boosting sales.
- Consistent Quality: Keeps drinks at the ideal temperature, ensuring they’re always served in perfect condition.
- Organisational Aid: Helps keep the bar area tidy by providing a specific place for chilled drinks, reducing clutter.
What Makes the Best Back Bar Fridge?
Choosing the best back bar fridge involves thinking about several key factors to ensure it meets the needs of a busy bar. Here’s what to look for:
Cooling Performance and Temperature Range
The main job of a back bar fridge is to keep drinks at their best serving temperature.
Consistent Cooling:
- A good fridge should provide steady cooling, ensuring all drinks are kept at the right temperature. This is achieved with high-quality parts and efficient thermostats that keep the temperature stable.
Wide Temperature Range:
- It’s important to adjust the temperature for different drinks. For example, beers need cooler temperatures than wines, and spirits might have their own specific requirements. A fridge with a broad temperature range allows you to store a variety of drinks properly.
Energy Efficiency
Energy efficiency is key for both saving money and being environmentally friendly.
Energy Consumption and Efficiency Ratings:
- The best fridges use less power while still performing well. Look for models with low energy consumption, indicating potential savings. But make sure you are looking at the annual energy consumption rather than the rating, as some producers miss-classify their back-bar fridges to get a better efficiency rating.
Impact on Electricity Bills and Environmental Considerations:
- An energy-efficient fridge reduces electricity costs and has a smaller environmental impact, which is important for businesses aiming to be sustainable.
Build Quality and Durability
A back bar fridge is a big investment, so it needs to be durable. High-quality fridges are made from strong materials that can handle the demands of a busy bar. A good warranty from the manufacturer also provides peace of mind.
Price and Value for Money
Balancing cost with features is crucial for getting good value for money.
Comparison of Features Relative to the Price:
- When comparing models, look at the features they offer for their price. A higher initial cost might be worth it for better performance, durability, and energy efficiency. Ensure the fridge offers value over its lifespan.
Balancing Cost with Quality and Features Offered:
- The best fridges balance cost, quality, and features. Investing a bit more in a fridge that’s more energy-efficient, durable, and easy to maintain can lead to significant savings and benefits over time.
The Best Back Bars at a Glance
Husky Eco – Best Back Bar for Return on Investment
Husky Eco Pros:
- Best energy efficiency
- Precision engineering for durability and low energy consumption
- Low maintenance condenser
Husky Eco Cons:
- No sliding door option
- Limited colour availability
If you’re looking to get the most out of your investment in a back-bar fridge, the Husky Eco range is a great choice. It’s known for exceptional energy efficiency and precision engineering, designed with durability and low energy use in mind. This makes it a reliable and cost-effective option for pub owners. Its energy efficiency can significantly cut electricity costs over time, reducing operational expenses and optimising your bottom line.
Built with meticulous attention to detail, the Husky Eco is durable and uses minimal energy, requiring less maintenance over its lifespan. This low-maintenance condenser means fewer interruptions, allowing staff to focus on customers instead of equipment.
However, the Husky Eco has a few downsides. It’s initially more expensive than some models, but this is often balanced by lower energy bills and maintenance costs over time. Additionally, it doesn’t have a sliding door option, which might be a drawback in tight spaces. It also only comes in black, which might not match all bar designs.
Pricing
The double-door Husky Eco is priced at £725.00 excluding VAT, offering excellent value for its energy efficiency and durability. It comes with a 2-year warranty, 6 months of interest-free credit, and free standard delivery.
Gamko Maxiglass – Best High End Back Bar
Gamko Maxiglass Pros:
- Biggest storage capacity
- Flat shelving for less “wobbly” bottles
- Low maintenance condenser
Gamko Maxiglass Cons:
- More expensive
For those needing a high-end fridge with lots of storage, the Gamko Maxiglass is a top choice. It holds up to 225 bottles, more than the Husky Eco’s 170-bottle capacity, making it perfect for busy bars. The flat shelving design keeps bottles stable, reducing the risk of tipping.
The Gamko Maxiglass features a low-maintenance condenser, minimising the need for frequent upkeep. However, it’s more expensive and uses more energy than the Husky Eco, which could increase operational costs over time.
Pricing
The Gamko Maxiglass Noverta MG3/250G double door hinged model is priced at £1359.00. It comes with a 2-year parts and labour warranty, and an additional 1-year parts-only coverage. Customers can also opt for a 3 or 5-year lease for added financial flexibility.
Polar G-Series – Best Budget Back Bar
Polar G-Series Pros:
- Lowest price
- Sliding door option
Polar G-Series Cons:
- The condenser coil needs to be cleaned 4 times per year
- Limited temperature range
For budget-conscious buyers, the Polar G-Series offers the best value. It’s the lowest-priced model in its category but still provides reliable beverage storage. The sliding door option is perfect for bars with limited space, making efficient use of the available area.
However, the Polar G-Series requires more maintenance, with the condenser coil needing cleaning four times a year. It also has a narrower temperature range of 2-8°C, which might not suit all beverage types.
Pricing
The Polar G-Series double-door hinged model is priced at £419.99 excluding VAT. It comes with a 2-year parts and labour warranty, making it a cost-effective choice for budget-conscious bars.
Husky Plus – Best Overall Back Bar (Coming Soon)
Husky Plus Pros:
- Precision engineering for durability and low energy consumption
- Low-maintenance condenser
- Sliding Door
Husky Plus Cons:
- Second cheapest
- Not the best energy consumption
For those seeking a balance between cost and performance, the Husky Plus is an excellent choice. It features precision engineering, ensuring durability, and a low-maintenance condenser, reducing the need for frequent upkeep. The sliding door option maximizes space efficiency, making it ideal for bars with limited space. Available in silver and black, it fits well with various bar designs.
The Husky Plus has an energy consumption of 421 kWh per annum, making it almost as energy efficient as the more expensive Gamko. Despite this, it offers a robust build and lower maintenance needs.
Pricing
The Husky Plus is priced at £575.00 excluding VAT, providing great value for its quality and features. It’s a reliable, efficient, and versatile option for bar owners seeking a well-rounded fridge solution.
Contact us to pre-order yours today!
Investing in the right back bar fridge is essential for any bar aiming to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. These compact, glass-fronted units keep beverages at the optimal serving temperature while adding a touch of visual appeal to your drinks selection.
The Husky Eco stands out for its superior energy efficiency and durability, making it a top choice for those seeking the best return on investment. For high-end needs, the Gamko Maxiglass offers exceptional storage capacity and advanced features, ideal for busy establishments. The Polar G-Series provides an excellent budget-friendly option without compromising on essential functionality, perfect for budget-conscious buyers. Meanwhile, the Husky Plus offers the best overall balance between cost, energy efficiency, and durability, making it a versatile and reliable choice for any bar.
