Beer coolers

[StylesQ]

Just a quick poll...

Looking at purchasing some 2 door vertical beer coolers (the pepsi/coke style), and was wondering if you'd go with sliding doors or swing doors. (There is room for the swing door to open if i went that route).

Any preferences? With the sliding doors, isn't there more maintenace?

Besides Equippers.com, does anyone know of some other suppliers?

Also...what brand of Ice Maker would you buy again?

Thanks Guys

[SHARKY]

If your bar is busy enough for multiple bartenders then I would go with sliding doors. It helps with the flow. Also, if you keep the runners clean you shouldn't have too much maintnance issues.

[gimmeda8]

sharky,

in my experience it is evident that a deep well horizontal cooler is the most efficient unit for back bar beer sales in high volume applications with multiple bartenders. flow is hardly sacrificed even when more than one bartender is reaching for the same beer brand. the doors are large which accommodates multiple withdrawals.


other significant advantages include higher product capacity and ease of product replenishing. they can be restocked quickly with full cases. vertical units are less than easily stocked since cases must be separated bottle by bottle.

[mauimanana]

i agree with both post replies. in small bars i think the horizontal glass front coolers ( swing or slide type ) offer an appealing visual display. for production they are not that efficient, but they just look great.

as for dselecting a swing vs. a slider i would go with a swing door since then you can open both sides at once and with a slider one side closes off the other.

recommend putting in a vertical for both display and applicable reasons with a horizontal cooler for the primary. if needed on busy bottle beer nights fill a tub w/ ice and stock w/ beers. this supplementary vessil offers up a fast, cold and simple production option.

to each his/her own

if you need to store the bodies of dead beat customers that do not pay their tabs i recommend a large meat locker.


best of luck

[allanjustallan]

Scotsman ice machine worked for me. Two and half years of no problems, plus a bartender recently broke the slider to the ice, dont know how because it is made of really hard plastic.

Called Scotsman and they checked my serial number, then said no problem and are sending a new door.

Allan.

[David]

I like the top load, reach in type, in busy bars placed right under the bar top for faster service.

[StylesQ]

Great discussion... Hey Gimmeda8...the horizontal coolers u mentioned...is the following link what u mean?

http://www.instawares.com/bottle-cooler-flat-top.bva-dw79b.0.7.htm

Would you put that under the serving counter...or against the back wall...it's an extra few steps to have it against the back wall..no big deal.

Says in the details that the overall depth is 26.5". Any issues with bending down that far repeatedly?

I like the idea of being able to re-stock a whole case those. I wasn't sure how far the lids on top slide back in order to slide in a 24 case.

I see the prices are a bit cheaper for the bottle coolers as well :)

But as Mauimanana mentioned, the glass door display types look good visually. And I see with regards to the door issue, it's split right down the middle.. sliding vs pivot style.


Umm.. another quick question... Draft systems... go with a under the counter, self-contained cooler style with 2 heads ...or have a company come in and run lines.... any thoughts on that? The lines would have to run about 50 feet, so I think thats pretty far to run draft through.

[gimmeda8]

Yes, that is the style I am referring to.

I have never heard a complaint from any staff members regarding the constant bending.

We use mostly 18 pack cases which are an easy fit. The few brands that we cannot get in that size are placed in the unit horizontally. On both sides of the loose bottles are 18 pack cases which keep the bottles in place. For us those brands include, corona, coors light, heineken, and smirnoffs. If you aren't sure of what I mean I will be glad to take some pics.

Our main bar is rectangular and open in the middle. Service is given from all sides. Therefore, the units are are directly under the bar. The way our bar is designed allows us to push the unit to the wall leaving only the doors exposed. If the whole unit was exposed it wouldn't be a problem for reaching guests since it is no deeper than a standard ice well.

our bottom bar has a wall behind it, so we put the coolers against it. One step backwards and there it is. Both applications work well for us.

We have a 2-door vertical unit at our server bar. During high volume usage the horizontals will maintain temperature better than the vertical reach-ins. I would assume it has to do with the size of the doors and the limited opportunity for cold air to escape. Circulation of air could be a factor, as well.

We haven't used draft in years, so I cannot respond.

Send me an email if you want pics and/or bottle capacity.

[Michael Black]

Top sliding coolers are the standard, preferably under the bar. However, the glass door coolers below a back bar are nice for merchandising and are easier to keep clean and do inventory imo. So, that is something to consider. They also make a place look a little more high end if that is your marketing direction. Some also have rear doors so they can be stocked from a rear set up possible or would work efficiently in the middle of an island bar setup instead of having 2 sets of coolers..On the other hand, they are more expensive unless you can find them used or at auction in good condition.