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Commercial Bar Fridge Buying Guide
Choosing the right commercial bar fridge is about more than capacity. The ideal model depends on your available space, daily usage, storage requirements and the type of business you operate. Whether you're fitting out a café, restaurant, pub, club, hotel or commercial kitchen, this guide will help you choose the right bar fridge for your needs.
Bar Fridge Size Comparison
Use our sizing guide above to compare the most common commercial bar fridge sizes. It provides a quick visual comparison of widths, capacities and recommended applications, making it easier to choose the right model before browsing individual products.
Choosing the Right Size
Commercial bar fridges are available in several sizes to suit different businesses.
Single Door Bar Fridges
Ideal for: Small cafés • Coffee shops • Office kitchens • Home bars
Best when storage requirements are relatively low and available space is limited.
Two Door Bar Fridges
Ideal for: Cafés • Restaurants • Bars • Pubs
A two door model offers the best balance between storage capacity and footprint, making it the most popular choice for hospitality businesses.
Three Door Bar Fridges
Ideal for: Hotels • Busy restaurants • Function venues • High-volume bars
Three door models maximise refrigerated storage while remaining underbench.
Glass Door or Stainless Steel?
Both options perform equally well, but each is suited to different applications.
Glass Door Bar Fridges
Best for: Easy product visibility • Faster drink service • Beverage display • Customer-facing refrigeration
Stainless Steel Bar Fridges
Best for: Concealed storage • Commercial kitchen durability • Easy cleaning • Professional appearance
Hinged or Sliding Doors?
Door style can have a significant impact on workflow.
Hinged Doors
Best for: Full access to shelves • Easier loading of cartons • Simpler cleaning
Hinged doors provide full access to the cabinet, making loading and unloading easier where there is enough room in front of the fridge.
Sliding Doors
Ideal for: Busy bars • Narrow walkways • Limited workspace
Sliding doors allow access without doors swinging into staff or customers.
Installation & Ventilation
Correct installation is essential for reliable performance and warranty compliance.
General recommendations include: 20mm clearance above • 20mm clearance on each side • 20mm clearance at the front • 100mm clearance behind the cabinet
Always refer to the manufacturer's installation instructions for your specific model.
Features Worth Considering
When comparing commercial bar fridges, consider features that will improve day-to-day operation.
Look for: Fan-forced refrigeration • Digital temperature control • LED lighting • Adjustable shelves • Lockable doors • Self-closing doors • Commercial-grade compressors • Automatic defrost where applicable
Frequently Asked Questions
What size commercial bar fridge do I need?
The best size depends on your available space and the amount of stock you need to keep refrigerated during busy trading periods.
Should I buy glass or stainless steel?
Glass doors are ideal for beverage display, while stainless steel models are generally preferred in commercial kitchens and food preparation areas.
Do commercial bar fridges need ventilation?
Yes. Commercial refrigeration requires adequate airflow to operate efficiently. Following the recommended ventilation clearances helps maintain performance and maximise the lifespan of the refrigeration system.
Can I install a commercial bar fridge under a bench?
Yes. Most underbench commercial bar fridges are specifically designed for this application, provided the recommended ventilation clearances are maintained.
Need Help Choosing?
If you're still unsure which commercial bar fridge is right for your business, our team is happy to help.
Browse our range of: Single Door Commercial Bar Fridges • Two Door Commercial Bar Fridges • Three Door Commercial Bar Fridges
Or contact our team for personalised advice on selecting the right commercial bar fridge for your business.
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