Fridge Hire for Events: Which Type and How Many?

This guide covers the technical requirements and practical choices for fridge hire for events and hospitality. We explain which unit types suit different setups and the power requirements needed for safe operation.

Choosing the Right Fridge

Selecting the correct unit depends on the event volume and product type. We offer three primary categories:

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• Bar fridges: Compact under-counter units. Best for small weddings or back-of-house service.
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• Display fridges: Glass-fronted units. Essential for pop-up bars where customers need to see available stock.
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• Counter fridges: Flat-top units that provide extra workspace. Useful in tight catering kitchens.
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Calculating Capacity

Volume matters when planning your bar stock. As a general rule:

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• A standard bar fridge holds approximately 120–150 standard 330ml bottles.
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• Crowded shelves reduce airflow, which slows down cooling times.
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• For a medium-sized wedding bar, we recommend a minimum of 2–3 bottle fridges.
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• Large festivals or high-traffic events should hire multiple chest freezers or bottle coolers to maintain stock levels.
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Power Requirements

Check your venue power supply before booking. Most of our commercial fridge units run on a standard 13-amp domestic plug. You do not require 3-phase power for standard fridge hire. If running several fridges from one circuit, verify the total draw to prevent tripping the venue's breakers.

Cooling Times and Delivery

We deliver our units at ambient temperature. Refrigeration equipment requires time to reach operational temperature before you can add stock. You must allow 4–6 hours for the fridge to cool down completely before filling it with drinks. Do not load warm stock into a newly powered fridge, as it will struggle to reach safe holding temperatures.

Delivery Coverage

We provide equipment hire across England and Wales. We do not deliver to Scotland or Northern Ireland. Confirm your postcode during the checkout process to view specific delivery costs for your location.

Calculating capacity

A 150-litre gastro fridge holds around 100 to 120 330ml cans or 60 standard wine bottles. For a 100-person drinks reception lasting two hours, one 150-litre unit handles pre-chilled stock. If drinks are arriving warm on the day, order 20% more capacity to account for chilling time during the event.

Positioning and power

All Expo Hire fridges are electric. Confirm power outlet positions before delivery — a bar fridge behind a counter needs a socket within 2 metres. Extension leads for refrigeration must be rated for the appliance wattage. Outdoor events using generators should confirm the generator output matches the fridge draw before the day.

Ice versus refrigeration

For smaller quantities of bottled drinks, ice buckets and an ice delivery are often more cost-effective than hiring a fridge. For events where continuous cold service is needed over 6 or more hours, refrigeration is more reliable than ice. Read the Mobile Bar Hire Guide for a full bar setup checklist.