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Polar
In Stock
Commercial Back Bar Cooler | Drinks Fridge | 138 Litre Capacity | Hinged Door | Polar GL001
£708.38
/ exc vat
£850.06/ inc vat
- 138 Litre Capacity
- Adjustable Shelves
- Fan-Assisted Cooling
- Digital Temperature Control
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Product Overview
Thinking about how to keep your best-selling drinks perfectly chilled and ready for thirsty customers? Meet the Polar GL001 commercial back bar cooler. This smart, black-finished unit is a real workhorse, designed to slot neatly under your counter and provide instant, reliable cooling. It's the ideal solution for any busy venue that needs to maximise its drinks service without sacrificing space or style.
Specifically built for bustling British pubs, lively bars, cosy cafés, and restaurants, this undercounter back bar cooler is all about performance. With a generous 138-litre capacity, you can stock up to 108 standard 330ml bottles, meaning fewer trips to the stockroom during a hectic service. The fan-assisted cooling and user-friendly digital controls ensure every drink is served at the perfect temperature, from craft ales to sparkling water.
Featuring two adjustable shelves for total flexibility, a lockable double-glazed door for security and efficiency, and bright LED lighting to showcase your products, this fridge has everything you need. It’s not just a piece of equipment; it's an investment in smoother service and happier customers. Ready to upgrade your bar's cooling game?
Key Features and Benefits
- 138 Litre Capacity: Holds up to 108 bottles, reducing restock trips.
- Adjustable Shelves: Customise your storage for bottles and cans of all sizes.
- Fan-Assisted Cooling: Chills new stock quickly, even during busy periods.
- Digital Temperature Control: Easily set and monitor the perfect serving temperature.
- Double-Glazed Door: Keeps the cold in and running costs down.
- Automatic Defrost: Minimises maintenance and ensures consistent, reliable performance.
- Internal LED Lighting: Showcases your drinks selection beautifully without adding heat.
- Lockable Door: Provides peace of mind and security for your stock overnight.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Polar
- SKU: GL001
- Dimensions: 900(H) x 600(W) x 520(D) mm
- Capacity: 138 Litre / 108 x 330ml bottles
- Temperature Range: 2°C to 8°C
- Refrigerant: R600a
- Power: 180W / 1.3A / 13 amp plug fitted
- Voltage: 230V
- Weight: 58kg
- Material: Painted Steel
- Colour: Black
- Max Ambient Temperature: 32°C
- Insulation: 40mm
Expert Review and Insights
The Polar GL001 is a classic for a reason. It’s a solid, no-fuss unit that delivers exactly what it promises: consistent, reliable chilling. In a busy commercial setting, you need equipment you can forget about, and this cooler’s rapid temperature recovery and simple controls mean it just gets on with the job, service after service.
Liam Sinclair – Refrigeration View Profile →
- Pros: The fan-assisted cooling is brilliant for rapid pull-down times after restocking.
- Cons: It's designed for a max ambient temperature of 32°C, so mind its placement.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The Queen's Arms, a bustling local pub in Cardiff, was struggling with an old, inefficient cooler that couldn't keep up during their popular weekend quiz nights. They upgraded to two Polar GL001 units to place side-by-side behind the bar.
"Our old fridge just couldn't recover its temperature quickly enough when we were constantly opening the door. With the new Polar fridges, every single bottle comes out perfectly cold, even when we're flat out. The customers have noticed the difference, and it's made service so much smoother for the team."
Siobhan Kelly – Pub Manager
The result? A noticeable improvement in service speed, with the bar staff able to serve consistently cold drinks, leading to a 20% reduction in customer complaints about drink temperature during peak hours.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Find a firm, level surface that can easily support the unit's full weight (58kg plus stock).
- Leave at least a 5cm gap around the sides and back for ventilation to prevent overheating.
- Once plugged in, let the fridge run for at least an hour to reach its operating temperature before loading it with drinks.
- Use the adjustable feet to ensure the unit is stable and doesn't rock.
Keeping It Going
- Wipe down the interior surfaces and shelves weekly with a food-safe cleaner.
- Regularly check and clean the rubber door seals to ensure a tight closure, which saves energy.
- Every few months, carefully brush any dust or debris from the condenser coils (usually at the back) to maintain efficiency.
- The automatic defrost system handles ice build-up, but make sure the drip tray is clean and unobstructed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I place this fridge directly under a counter?
A: Yes, this undercounter back bar cooler is designed for that purpose. However, you must ensure there is adequate ventilation space (at least 5cm) around the back and sides to allow the unit to operate efficiently.
Q: How many shelves are included?
A: The Polar GL001 comes with two sturdy, adjustable shelves, allowing you to customise the layout for different sized bottles and cans.
Q: What is the temperature range of this drinks fridge?
A: It has a temperature range of 2°C to 8°C, which is ideal for most beers, ciders, white wines, and soft drinks.
Q: Is the unit noisy when it's running?
A: It's designed for a commercial environment, so you can expect a low hum from the compressor and fan, similar to other commercial refrigeration. It's generally not considered intrusive in a busy bar or café setting.
Q: Does the automatic defrost require any plumbing?
A: No, it doesn't. The automatic defrost cycle melts any ice build-up, and the water is collected in a tray where it evaporates using heat from the compressor, so it's a self-contained system.
Q: Is the LED light always on?
A: The internal LED light has a switch, allowing you to turn it on to showcase your products or off to conserve energy when not needed.
Q: Can I store food like sandwiches or milk in this fridge?
A: This unit is primarily designed and rated for chilling bottled and canned beverages. While it can hold pre-packaged, low-risk items, it is not recommended for storing high-risk foods like fresh meat or dairy.
Q: What kind of plug does it come with?
A: It comes fitted with a standard UK 3-pin, 13-amp plug, so you can plug it straight into a normal socket without needing an electrician.
The Polar Advantage: Reliability When It Matters Most
When you choose a Polar GL001 commercial back bar cooler, you're investing in more than just cold drinks; you're investing in peace of mind. For years, Polar has been a trusted name in UK commercial kitchens and bars, known for building robust, reliable equipment that stands up to the rigours of daily service. This cooler is a prime example of that philosophy. Its straightforward design prioritises performance and durability, meaning fewer worries about breakdowns during a critical Saturday night rush. The use of efficient R600a refrigerant and bright, low-energy LED lighting doesn't just meet modern standards; it translates to real, tangible savings on your energy bills over the long term. It’s a workhorse built to keep your business running smoothly, ensuring every customer gets a perfectly chilled drink, every single time.
Explore more from PolarHow Fan-Assisted Cooling Keeps You Ready for the Rush
Ever noticed how a fridge struggles to get cold again after you've had the door open while restocking? That's where fan-assisted cooling makes a huge difference. Think of it like a fan oven, but for chilling. A small, internal fan constantly circulates the cold air around the entire cabinet, ensuring there are no warm spots and that the temperature is consistent from top to bottom.
When you load in new, warmer bottles or open the door during a busy spell, this system kicks in to high gear, rapidly bringing the temperature back down to your set point. This means the last drink you serve is just as cold as the first, keeping your customers happy and your service flowing without a hitch. It's a simple feature that has a massive impact on performance in a real-world commercial environment.
Who Should Buy This?
- Pubs & Bars: An essential undercounter back bar cooler for keeping beers, ciders, and soft drinks perfectly chilled and accessible.
- Cafés & Bistros: Ideal for storing bottled water, juices, and artisan sodas, presenting them attractively to customers.
- Small Restaurants: A great space-saving option for holding white wine or dessert drinks at the optimal serving temperature.
- Social Clubs & Event Venues: A reliable and lockable Polar glass door bar fridge to handle drinks service for functions and members.
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