Beer Caves – The Perfect Beverage Refrigerator

Regardless if you are remodeling or building new stores, why not increase the use of your space and install a beer cave for your alcoholic beverages? Beer caves have grown to be very popular in the convenience store industry offering a bright inviting room for customers to browse their selection. Beer caves can come in any shape or size. They are all custom designed to fit your plans.Consider the advantages the beer cave can provide for you and your customers.

Bright lights, glass doors and windows can make an old drab corner turn into an inviting alcoholic beverage oasis. It is proven that bright lights and colorful graphics grab people’s attention attracting more customers to the product. Customers like to see all their choices right in front of them. The beer cave consolidates all beer and alcoholic beverages in one area so it is easy for people to find what they are looking for, grab and go.

Since the majority of beer sold in convenience stores is cold, why not put your beer stock in the cave (eliminating time spent on restocking)? Instead of shoving cases of beer on the shelves that only fit a few cases, have your inventory stocked together so you will always know when you are running low.

Wouldn’t you like to be known as having the “coldest beer in town”? Customers enjoy being able to walk-in, feel the cold air and know their beer will be cold and refreshing.

U.S. Cooler can provide for all of your walk-in needs in your convenience store. A beer cave can give you the opportunity to increase sales and produce a creative, inviting destination for your customers. To get a quote on a beer cave call U.S. Cooler at 800-521-2665.

Cooler Insulation- Extruded Polystyrene Vs. Polyurethane

U.S. Cooler manufactures walk-in coolers and freezers employing both Polyurethane and Extruded Polystyrene. Through testing and years of experience we maintain that extruded polystyrene insulation is superior for use in walk-in coolers and freezers. Polystyrene has many characteristics that prove it to be the best insulation material for walk-ins. The two main insulations found in walk-ins are Extruded Polystyrene and Polyurethane. Each insulation has differentiating characteristics and should be optimized for the specific application.

Polystyrene is a dense closed-cell structure that is very resistant to moisture and holds its R-Value longer than other competing insulations found in walk-ins, such as Polyurethane. This allows less water infiltration in the insulation, which in turn saves energy and money. When water starts seeping into the insulation’s pores, the R-value drops dramatically causing the refrigeration to work harder to hold its respective temperature. Refrigeration working overtime means higher energy bills. Polystyrene is less water vapor permeable; therefore, water vapor does not infiltrate through the material as quickly or easily as it does other insulations.Using studies performed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (CRREL), U.S. Cooler demonstrated extruded polystyrene saved consumers over $5,000 in energy costs over the first five years of operation. The savings again are due to extruded polystyrene’s ability to resist moisture and to retain its R-value better than other insulators.

Polystyrene used in walk-in coolers and freezers is made from “at least 20% pre-consumer recycled polystyrene.” (Owens Corning, Technical Bulletin: Recycle Content Claims Must be Reliable and Verifiable) Polystyrene found in walk-ins is also 100% recyclable. Manufacturing companies that produce these insulation materials, reproduce the resources in new insulation material. Alternatively, it is important to note that Polyurethane is produced from chemicals and is not made from any recycled materials nor can it be recycled or reused.

Polystyrene in walk-in coolers and freezers is the most cost effective and environmentally friendly insulation used in walk-ins today. Not only is polystyrene in walk-ins made with recycled materials and is 100% recyclable but it is energy efficient and can save a great deal of money in energy costs and reduce carbon footprint over the life-cycle of the walk-in.

Live Walk-in Setup Webcam

All U.S. Cooler walk-ins are test assembled in our plant prior to shipment. This ensures problem free on-site installation.

Click to view our live test installation webcam.

Walk-in Cooler/Freezer Installation Video

A video of how to set up your U.S. Cooler walk-in.

Click here to view the U.S. Cooler PDF Installation Manual.

If the video isn’t working, there are problems with the youtube server and you can view the video through the google server.

Maintaining Your Walk-in Cooler or Freezer

Tips from U.S. Cooler for Maintaining Your Walk-in Cooler or Freezer.

How to keep your walk-in operating efficiently.

• Close door when not in use. Do not block or prop door open for extended periods of time. Make sure door is closed at all times except when entering and exiting the walk-in.
• Periodically, minimum of twice a year, clean evaporator and condensing coil. If located outside, the coils should be cleaned more often.
• Make sure fan motors are running at optimum speed.
• Clean fan blades to reduce drag.
• Make sure there is nothing stacked around the coil to restrict airflow.
• Occasionally have service technician check all electrical connections to make sure they are good and tight. Loose wires could cause high amperage, which will cause your unit to use more energy.
• Check for damage or decay in the insulation on suction lines between condensing unit and evaporator coil. Replace as needed.
• Check door sweep for tears and make sure sealing properly.
• Hinges should be lubricated once a year to keep closing properly.
• Make sure the lights are off when exiting the walk-in. Lights produce heat, which will cause your unit to run more to hold its optimal temperature.
• On outside condensing units, maintain clear and adequate airflow. For example, do not allow trash or weeds to accumulate around walk-in.
• Do not pile anything on top of the walk-in. This could cause damage to the ceiling panels.
• Periodically, check gaskets between panels to make sure they are not cracked or weathered. If so, check with your local health codes for the correct procedure to follow as far as repair and replacement.

How to keep your walk-in clean.

• 

  Do not use harsh detergents on metal surfaces.

  Soap and water is the best cleaning method for your walk-in. Do not use harsh chemicals as it may react and harm the metal surface of your walk-in.
  For chemicals not to use read this pdf.

• Minimum of twice a year use a self-rinsing cleaner, soap and water or stiff bristled brush to clean your evaporator and condensing coils.
• Drain lines – at least once a year, work with a service tech to make sure the drain lines are clean and not clogged with any debris.
• Door gaskets – Regularly wipe down with soap and water. If door gaskets are damaged, cracked or stiff magnet will not seal and will need to be replaced.
• Sweep or mop floors to make sure floors are kept clean. Read the rest of this entry »

2008 Walk-in Closeout Special

U.S. Cooler is selling their remaining 2008 walk-in cooler inventory at a low discounted price.The coolers available at this low price are 8’ x 10’, 6′ x 8′, 6′ x 10′ and 8′ x 10′ standard nominals. First come, first sold; offer only while supplies last. These discounted coolers are the lowest price you will find! Orders can be placed from our website at www.uscooler.com;
simply enter your zip code to
find a dealer in your area. *

* This offer is through dealers only.

Don’t let this happen to your cooler

KNOXVILLE (WATE) — Knox County health inspectors were forced to temporarily close a North Knoxville deli this week over a walk-in cooler that was way too warm.

When the inspector found the walk-in refrigerator at 60 degrees and not working properly, she ordered a lot of food thrown away including ham, turkey, meatballs, pepperoni, bacon, eggs, and cheese.

Nearly 100 pounds of food were ordered thrown away because they weren’t safe to eat. Garelli’s was closed until the refrigerator was repaired.

Plus, the inspector found a roach crawling on the kitchen floor. Garelli’s pest control company was ordered to pay a visit.

Maybe the roach was attracted to the moldy grapes, celery and rotten tomatoes the inspector found in the refrigerator.

Mold was also found in the ice machine and water was leaking onto the kitchen floor.

Garelli’s is open again.

Make sure your walk-in has insulation that will retain it’s r-value well over time. And always make sure your refrigeration unit is functioning properly. Find the whole wate.com article here.

Standard Nominals

Many of our potential customers may be needing a custom sized or custom designed walk-in cooler or freezer to fit their specific needs. For custom orders find a salesperson.

But those of you who don’t require a custom size can choose to buy from our selection of standard nominals through one of our authorized dealers. (find on in your area by typing in your zip code in the form below)

Sizes Include:

6′ X 6′ X 7′ 6″ Nominal (5′ 10 1/2″ X 5′ 10 1/2″ X 7′ 6″ Actual Size)

6′ X 8′ X 7′ 6″ Nominal (5′ 10 1/2″ X 7′ 10″ X 7′ 6″ Actual)

8′ X 8′ X 7′ 6″ Nominal (7′ 10″ X 7′ 10″ & 7′ 6″ Actual)

8′ X 10′ X 7′ 6″ Nominal (7′ 10″ X 9′ 9 1/2″ & 7′ 6″ Actual)

Options:

Cooler (with or without floor), Freezer (with floor)

Refrigeration:

For Indoor boxes – no refrigeration, indoor remote ref, outdoor remote ref, top mount ref, saddle mount ref (cooler only), penthouse ref

For Outdoor boxes- no refrigeration, outdoor remote ref

Walk-in Cooler Maintenance Tips

Maintaining your walk-in coolers and freezers is pretty simple. For starters, a clean walk-in is an efficient one. Your staff is likely are trained to keep both the interior and exterior clean and sanitary (use a mild soap detergent and damp mop), but key components can sometimes be overlooked. Pay particular attention to:

Door gaskets. Keep clean and pliable. Replace when worn.

Hinges and door closers. Check regularly for proper opening.

Condenser and fan. Keep clean and free of grease so they can do a more effective job of transferring heat. Since most of you will use remote refrigeration systems, that will mean a trip up to the roof for someone on a regular basis.

Condenser and drain lines. Keep them clear and schedule checks of the seals where they enter the building.

Beyond checking these areas, it makes sense to schedule servicing every three months if your system is self-contained and every six months if it’s remote.

These tips come from the February 2009 issue of Foodservice Equipment Magazine. Find the full article here. The article also details the new government EISA rules and new innovations in walk-in component technology from glass doors to compressors.

For more cleaning and maintenence tips view this post.