Some Factors to Consider When Choosing a Bottle Cooler

Bottle coolers are an essential item for every pub and restaurant, and there is a choice of several different makes and sizes. One of the things that will help to decide what size of bottle cooler you have is simply the amount of space that you have in the backbar. If you do not have very much room the choice will probably be limited to a single door bottle cooler.

Of course, you can get a single door bottle cooler in a choice of heights, so if you have the space, a tall one with four, five, or even six shelves will hold the most bottles and allow you to display more types of drink than an under counter one. 

One of the most important things about a bottle cooler is that it has to be able to maintain a constant temperature and cope with the door constantly being opened and closed as bottles are taken out and stock replenished. It has to be tough enough to cope with the wear and tear that comes from the way that it is used, yet it also has to have a maximum amount of glass in order to display the products to best advantage.

Effective lighting is also an important factor for displaying the products and the overall aesthetics. A single door bottle cooler needs to look good behind the bar, and there is actually a noticeable trend today for operators requiring bespoke finishes to match the décor of the bar or restaurant, and in some cases the company branding. Another important factor is to have adjustable shelves so that different brands of drinks can be displayed. Bottle coolers should also have variable thermostats so that the operator can set the temperature to between 4°C and 10°C to suit the environment and customer preferences, and also take account of any specific requirements of the drinks themselves.

Of course, another factor is energy efficiency. You want a bottle cooler that has high insulating glass, and LED lights for maximum efficiency. You can also get bottle coolers with “wire on tube” condensers today which are not only highly efficient, but also virtually maintenance free, since it is almost impossible for them to be blocked with dust like conventional condensers.