Matching an underbench unit to your kitchen
The 12 Bromic underbench models come in four widths, and each width is made three ways: a solid door fridge, a glass door fridge and a solid door freezer. The single door units are 598 mm wide and 824 mm high, holding 138 L as a fridge or 115 L as a freezer. The two, three and four door versions measure 1,360 mm, 1,795 mm and 2,230 mm across, stand 850 mm high and hold 282 L, 417 L and 553 L.
A cafe that keeps milk and garnishes beside the coffee machine usually gets by with a single door fridge. A restaurant line tends to run a two or three door unit under the pass so cooks can reach proteins and sauces without leaving the station, and a four door model can take the place of an upright where a kitchen is long and narrow. The single door freezer comes with three baskets rather than shelves, which suits chips, pastry and other bagged stock.
Glass doors or solid doors
The glass door fridges have LED lighting and let staff, or customers at a counter, see the stock without opening up. Solid doors hold temperature better and cost less to run. Compare the four door models: the solid door fridge is rated 4 stars and uses 3.768 kWh a day, while the glass door version is rated 2 stars and uses 6.08 kWh. For a kitchen nobody browses, solid is the sensible pick.
What to check before you buy
Heat around the bench. Six models, the two to four door solid fridges and freezers, are climate class 4 and listed for rooms up to 38°C. The single door units and all four glass door fridges are class 3 and listed to 32°C, so they suit a front counter or an air-conditioned area better than a spot beside the fryers or a char grill.
Room in front. The doors on the two to four door models swing out 371 mm, and on the single door models 594 mm. With a door open, the multi-door units reach 1,071 mm from the wall, so check the aisle still lets staff get past.
Power and cleaning. Every model has a 10 A plug at the back. The multi-door units sit on castors and the single door units on feet with rollers, so they can be pulled out to clean the floor and the condenser.
Temperature. The two to four door fridges hold +1°C to +5°C, the single door fridges +1°C to +10°C, and the freezers go down to -22°C, or -24°C for the single door model. Set any fridge holding food to 5°C or below, as FSANZ requires.
Delivered, levelled and running
Sam quotes each unit with delivery and installation across Perth. He brings it in, slides it into place, levels it so the doors close square and seal, and leaves the gap it needs to breathe. Then he switches it on, waits for it to reach temperature and checks it with a probe before handing it over. If the old underbench is coming out, ask Sam whether he can take it with him. Units can also be sent by courier for buyers who do not need installation.
Servicing and repairs
Underbench units sit low, close to floor dust and kitchen grease, so their condenser coils clog faster than most, and a door seal kicked by a passing boot can let warm air in. Sam services and repairs Bromic underbench fridges and freezers, including ones supplied by someone else. Expect a $75 + GST call-out, then labour at $180 an hour + GST and parts, with a fixed repair quote once the fault is found. See commercial fridge repairs or a maintenance plan, browse the Bromic back bar fridges, or go back to all Bromic refrigeration.
