Whether you’re having mates over to watch football, hosting a barbeque or are having a cocktail party, a bar fridge is an invaluable, yet compact and affordable addition to any home. They’re also great for small offices, holiday homes, studio apartments, university dorms, mobile homes and a plethora of other commercial and domestic settings.
Despite their size, you’d be surprised at how much storage capacity bar fridges can have. Plus, a lot of models come with an ice box compartment which is perfect for frozen veggies, ice-creams, ice cubes and much more. To make sure you get the right fridge for your needs, there are a couple of things you need to consider.
The Right Size
When it comes to size, there’s no shortage of variety of bar fridges. The smallest models are capable of storing 50L, while the larger models can go up to 300L. Smaller models are ideal for campers who want to enjoy fresh food and cold drinks on the go. Larger ones are ideal for people who love to host parties and make sure the guests never run out of cold drinks. Adjustable shelving is a great feature to look out for, as it’ll allow you to remove shelves and get the maximum capacity out of the fridge.
Energy Efficiency
All bar fridges sold in Australia come with energy star ratings. More stars equals more energy efficiency. If energy efficiency is a concern to you, then you should always switch it off when inactive. Typically, you’ll find most fridges in the energy efficiency range of between 1 and 3 stars. Interior lighting can also impact the energy consumption levels of the fridge, but it’s still a very convenient feature to have.
Materials
Stainless steel and glass doors have become really popular lately, mainly because of their professional, clean and sleek look. This way, the fridge can complement your home décor. The classic white look is still available today, but it looks out-dated and won’t naturally blend in with every home style. The shelves inside can be either made of glass or plastic. Glass is very sturdy, can easily be cleaned, as well as retain cold air.
Ventilation and Defrosting
Even though they might be smaller than the conventional fridge, they’re still capable of producing a lot of heat, which can be especially problematic when placed in a tight area, as the heat won’t have anywhere to go, thus you risk overheating the fridge. As a rule of thumb, you want at least 2 cm on the sides and 3 cm on top of space. Most fridges will also need to be defrosted once in a while. However, some models feature electronic temperature controls and frost-free technology.