Bar Fridges

Bar fridges are smaller sized fridges for keeping drinks and snacks chilled. They can provide useful refrigeration for limited spaces, many with humidity-controlled fruit and veg crispers and sturdy glass shelves to store regular food items. They are great for use as a small fridge in studio apartments, holiday homes, granny flats, dormitory rooms, and other small spaces.

Sizes range from around 45-litres for small bar fridges through to around 150 litres with some of the largest usable capacities in Westinghouse or Hisense bar fridges. For a mini fridge with more of a traditional freezer, there’s the seriously cute mini top mount fridges from Hisense and ChiQ.

Now to beverage centres – think of these as a glass door bar fridge for storing drinks only and at a precise temperature. Crisp cold beers, soft drinks and white wines are optimally chilled in models from Solt, or Vintec beverage centres with their humidity-controlled environment and triple glazed anti-UV glass to protect your collection. If you are more interested in storing or cellaring bottles of wine, you may consider a wine fridge.

Despite their more compact size, bar fridges tend to consume more electricity and can cost more to run 24/7. Their Energy Efficiency Rating can range somewhere from 1 to 1.5 Star on lower usable litre capacity models through to a 3 Star Energy Rating on larger volume models.

If you already have a primary fridge and this is your first-time buying a bar fridge, keep in mind that regardless of the energy rating, the cost of running an extra fridge can be noticeable on your energy bills. Consider turning it off for periods when not in use.

It’s important to compare bar fridges of the same usable capacity to get a like-for-like understanding on the energy efficiency of the bar fridge you’re keen on, and gauge what the average annual running cost will be by referring to the Australian Government’s Energy Rating site, which for an estimate says to multiply the kilowatt hours (kWh) noted on the energy label by the cost of electricity in your area.

In terms of design, a bar fridge is essentially a mini fridge with an ice box. If you plan on storing food items in your bar fridge, here are some things to keep in mind.

Make sure you do not overpack your fridge. Just because you shut the door with all your foods and drink crammed inside, does not mean it is going to be adequately chilled. Fridges of all sizes need to be able to effectively circulate air inside the fridge to keep everything inside cool. Too many groceries will block the circulation, which cuts back the shelf life of refrigerated goods.

Perishable foods such as milk and eggs are best stored towards the centre of the fridge rather than in the shelving on the inside of the fridge door. Make sure the temperature remains below 5°C, and check the freezer section can make rather than just store ice.

Before buying an Outdoor or Bar Fridge there are several factors worth considering. One of the most useful things you can do before you begin browsing different models is to think about where you plan on putting in it. If you have a space in mind, it’s worth getting an accurate measurement of the space to make sure you’re looking at compatible models.

Also remember to allow space for opening the door. Some Bar Fridges will allow reversing the door so that it opens either to the left or right. If you’re considering a Beverage Centre, keep in mind that some models have twin doors.

Another factor at play is whether you want to use it outside or inside. Backyard kitchens and bars are a trendy option for those who like to entertain, just make sure you narrow your options to Bar Fridges that have been tested as suitable for outdoor use.