Beer and wine need to be stored at the correct temperature in order to taste their best. The ideal temperature is somewhere between a refrigerator and room temperature, so selecting an appropriate dedicated beer refrigerator or wine cooler is important. Some of the essentials to consider are outlined below.
Choosing the right type of bottle cooler
Types of Coolers
Bottle coolers with glass doors display beverages to their best advantage and can help to increase sales. Under counter commercial bottle coolers are available in one, two or three door models, depending on the space you have available and the capacity you need. It is worth bearing in mind that the more bottles you can store in a cooler, the less time staff will have to spend refilling them.
Doors can be hinged or sliding; sliding doors may be better in confined spaces but hinged opening doors can provide better access. Upright bottle coolers can have one or two doors, and are useful if you need large capacity but lack floor space.
A range of appliances are available from suppliers such as https://www.fridgefreezerdirect.co.uk/commercial-bottle-coolers/double-door-under-counter-bottle-coolers.
Rack design options to consider
Rack Design
Cooler racks can be fixed or sliding. Sliding racks can be pulled out to access the bottles, whilst fixed ones do not move. The size and design or racks you choose will depend on the types of beverages you need to store. If space is an issue, aim for storing two or three bottles of your best selling wines, and a few of each beer. You could also keep the odd novelty drink to ring the changes a little. According to Metro Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough flavour beer will be available some time this autumn, so you could keep a look out for that!
Positioning your cooler for best efficiency
Location
Where your bottle cooler is situated can have an impact on its efficiency. Ensure that it is placed in a well-ventilated area and not close to appliances that give off heat such as ovens or freezers so that it will not have to consume too much energy in keeping to the correct temperature. You also need to ensure that the air can circulate properly around the vents.
Efficiency
The level of insulation and the power wattage will impact on the running costs of a bottle cooler, so check out the manufacturer’s specifications to ensure you buy the best you can.
Summary
This article sets out what to consider when choosing a commercial beer or wine cooler. It covers the different door and cabinet styles available, the choice between fixed and sliding bottle racks, why location and ventilation affect running costs, and how insulation and power wattage influence efficiency, helping buyers pick a cooler suited to their space and stock.
Questions this article raises
- How many bottles does a typical commercial venue need to store?
- What temperature range is actually best for beer compared to wine?
- How often should a commercial bottle cooler be serviced?
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