While undercounter refrigerators, or lowboys, are typically used in a kitchen’s prep area, the underbar type is most often used in the front-of-house bar area. Undercounter models have greater depths for accommodating full-size sheet pans, while underbar coolers are designed for bottled beverages.
These units can have multiple configurations, including between one and four doors, drawers or slide tops. Slide tops are beneficial for operators needing to store one type of beverage or product in a small amount of space. Keg coolers are also considered undercounter refrigeration. This equipment may include make tops.
Undercounter and underbar refrigerators come in lengths of 24, 36, 48, 60 and 72 inches, with depths ranging from 24 to 34 inches. This equipment is 34 inches high or less for undercounter use.
A typical one-door cooler has 24-inch-wide doors, a double-door cooler is 48 inches wide, and units are available with doors that are 20 inches wide for narrower spaces. Low-profile models are available and provide additional storage space between the countertop and top of the cooler. Pass-thru coolers are usually used in center islands and have doors on both sides for access from the front and back. Dual-zone units have two temperature zones for storing different products, such as beer at 35 degrees, white wine at between 50 and 55 degrees, or red wine at between 60 degrees F and 65 degrees F.
Underbar and undercounter refrigerators are most often constructed of stainless steel on the top and ends. The interior can be all aluminum, aluminum and ABS plastic, or either plastic or aluminum with a stainless-steel floor. Door choices include solid black, solid stainless, solid black with laminate, glass with black vinyl and field laminate, glass with stainless steel, or glass with laminate over a black frame. They also may be finished with a custom wood overlay panel or frame. These units also have 2-inch foamed-in-place insulation.
