Keeping food and drinks at the right temperature is a basic requirement for any catered event. This guide covers the different fridge and chilling options available to hire.
Keeping food and drinks at the right temperature is a basic requirement for any catered event. This guide covers the different fridge and chilling options available to hire.
Chilling equipment is not a luxury at events: it is a requirement. Whether you are running a bar, serving a buffet, catering a corporate function or hosting an outdoor festival, drinks and food need to be kept at the right temperature throughout. This guide covers the main options available to hire.
Drinks fridges are the most common hire for event bars and private parties. They hold bottles and cans at serving temperature and are designed to be accessible: front-opening, glass-doored units allow guests or bar staff to see what is available and retrieve drinks quickly. They are compact enough to fit behind a bar counter or in a catering tent.
For events where the bar runs throughout the day, a drinks fridge with a large enough capacity means fewer restocking runs and a smoother service. Capacity is measured in litres or by bottle count; check that the unit you hire matches the expected volume for your event length and guest count.
Upright display fridges are larger units designed for visibility as well as cooling. These work well for events where guests serve themselves: food stalls, buffet stations or outdoor bars where a display of chilled options encourages purchase or selection. The glass front allows food or drinks to be arranged attractively while staying at temperature.
For corporate events and exhibitions where chilled beverages are part of the hospitality offering, an upright display fridge reads professionally and is easy to manage throughout the day.
Chest freezers are used at events requiring frozen stock: ice cream, frozen goods and ice supplies. They hold temperature well over long periods and are efficient to run. For outdoor events in warm weather where ice supply is critical for drinks service, a chest freezer provides a reliable backup to your main chilling setup.
Trailer fridges are large refrigerated units mounted on trailers for outdoor or mobile events. They suit festivals, agricultural shows, outdoor weddings and any event where large quantities of chilled stock need to be kept on-site without fixed infrastructure. Trailer fridges can be positioned close to your catering area and accessed throughout the event. They are the right choice when the volume of chilled stock needed exceeds what cabinet fridges can handle.
For the largest events, including festivals, multi-day outdoor events and large weddings with full on-site catering, modular walk-in chillers provide the capacity that no cabinet unit can match. These units are assembled on-site to the required size and allow catering teams to store and access large volumes of chilled and frozen stock throughout the event.
Walk-in chillers require advance planning for positioning and power supply. Discuss requirements early with the hire supplier to make sure the right specification is confirmed before the event.
The right choice depends on event size, the type of food and drink being served, the venue setup and the event duration. A few questions help narrow it down:
Expo Hire offers a full range of fridge and freezer hire with delivery across England and Wales. Check stock online and order in advance, particularly for large chilling units which book up during peak summer months.
What size fridge do I need for my event?
This depends on your guest count, the event duration and the volume of chilled stock. As a guide, plan for at least one litre of fridge capacity per guest for a standard drinks service. Expo Hire can help size the right unit for your event.
Can I hire a fridge for an outdoor event?
Yes. Trailer fridges and robust cabinet units are available for outdoor use. Confirm power supply availability when ordering.
How far in advance should I book chilling equipment?
Book as early as possible, particularly for summer events. Large chilling units, specifically trailer fridges and walk-in chillers, have limited availability during peak season.
Do hired fridges come with temperature monitoring?
Professional hire units are maintained to food-safe standards. Check with Expo Hire on specific temperature capabilities for any food safety requirements.
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