Shelf coolers

A shelf cooler is a compact under-counter or back-bar unit that chills a small number of lines close to the point of service.

  • Best where the keg is close to the tap; long runs need python cooling
  • Size on your busiest hour, not on line count
  • Leave the manufacturer's ventilation clearance

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Showing all 10 results

Shelf and under-counter coolers suit short runs. Where the keg is close to the bar u2014 a back bar, a mobile setup, a small venue u2014 chilling at the point of service is simpler and cheaper than running a python from a cellar. Beyond a short distance the argument reverses, because beer sitting in an uncooled line between the cooler and the tap warms up regardless of what the cooler is doing.

How to choose

What to know

The specification that matters is throughput per hour against your busiest period, not the number of lines. A two-line cooler rated for modest volume will fall behind on a busy Saturday even though it has enough connections, and the symptom is warm beer at exactly the worst moment.

What to know

They need ventilation like any other refrigeration. A unit slotted into a tight cabinet with no airflow will run hot, work harder than it should and fail early.

Common questions

Is a shelf cooler enough for a busy bar?

It depends on throughput rather than line count. Work out what you pour in your busiest hour and match the cooler's rating to that u2014 a cooler with enough connections but not enough capacity serves warm beer when it matters most.

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