A back bar cooler can be sized right and still fail early if it sits in the wrong spot. Refrigeration units need air to move heat away from the condenser. Box one in tight under a counter with no airflow and the compressor runs hot, product warms up and the service calls start. Here is how to place a back bar cooler so it runs well for years.
Know Where Your Cooler Breathes
Most back bar coolers are front-breathing. They pull air in and push it out through a grille at the bottom front. That design lets them sit flush under a counter with the sides and back closed in. Some units vent differently. Check the product page and manual to see where air enters and exits and what clearance the manufacturer lists.
CBB-72G 72″ swing glass door back bar cooler
Dukers back bar and beverage cooler, 48″, 60″ or 72″
Keep the Front Grille Clear
The most common problem is blocking the front grille. Staff stack cases, set a floor mat against it or push a trash can in front of it. Any of these can choke airflow. Mark the grille area and keep it clear. Put a note in your closing checklist to check it nightly.
Keep It Away from Heat
Do not place a cooler next to heat sources:
- Dishwashers and glass washers that vent steam.
- Ice machines with air-cooled condensers blowing warm air.
- Coffee brewers and hot water dispensers.
- Sunny windows.
Every degree of extra room heat makes the cooler work harder. If the only spot is next to an ice machine, try to position them so their exhaust air does not blow into each other.
Give the Doors Room to Open
Swing doors need clear space in front to open fully. On a narrow back bar aisle, an open swing door can block the bartender’s path. Sliding glass doors take no extra aisle space, which helps in tight bars.
CBB-60G-SL 60″ sliding glass door back bar cooler
CBB-48G-SL 48″ sliding glass door back bar cooler
Level It
A cooler that is not level can have doors that do not close on their own, which lets cold air leak out. Use a level on install and adjust the legs or casters. Recheck after the unit is loaded, since the weight of full shelves can shift it.
Power and Outlets
Plug each cooler into its own outlet at the voltage listed on the product page. Avoid extension cords and power strips. Have a licensed electrician confirm the circuit if you add several coolers at once, since several compressors starting together can trip a shared breaker.
Glass or Solid Doors
Glass doors show product to guests and help bartenders see what is running low. Solid doors hold temperature a bit better and hide clutter. If the cooler faces guests and holds bottled beer, glass is usually worth it. If it holds backup stock and juice, solid is fine.
CBB-60 60″ swing solid door back bar cooler
Clean the Condenser
Dust and grease on the condenser coil are the other big cause of early failure. Clean it on the schedule in the manual, commonly every one to three months in a bar. Busy bars with lots of lint from towels and napkins may need it more often.
A Placement Checklist
- Front grille clear.
- No heat source blowing on the unit.
- Doors open fully without blocking the aisle.
- Unit level after loading.
- Dedicated outlet.
- Condenser cleaning on the calendar.
Next Steps
Measure your back bar space, including door swing, before you order. Browse bar refrigeration and bar equipment. Questions? Contact Express KitchQuip and we will help you pick the right size and configuration.