Minibars for hotel rooms
When purchasing a minibar, the following criteria should be taken into account: capacity, power consumption (energy efficiency), noise level, cooling technology, automatic defrost function, temperature range, interior lighting, and optional features such as a freezer compartment or glass door. The following information is intended to help you choose the right minibar: read more ...
Learn more about minibars at INTERGASTRO:
Stocking the Minibar
Decide in advance which products you want to offer in the minibar, and then select the appropriate size for your minibar. If you choose a minibar that is too large, you will consume an unnecessary amount of energy over the years; if you choose a minibar that is too small, you may not be able to offer guests all the products they desire. The power consumption of a 40-liter minibar is higher than that of a 30-liter minibar. This can result in significantly higher operating costs over the course of a year.
Energy Efficiency and Energy Consumption - As of 2024
In March 2021, the requirements for energy efficiency labels were tightened (for example, there is no longer an A++ rating), so that appliances that previously had an acceptable energy efficiency class have now often slipped into the lower ranges of F or G. It will take some time before manufacturers can offer refrigerators in the higher energy efficiency classes. Currently, as a rough estimate, you can assume an annual consumption of approximately 230 kWh for a 30-liter minibar and approximately 120 kWh for a 20-liter minibar, such as the Silence 20 model. We always specify the annual energy consumption in the product description or on the energy efficiency label.
Noise Level
A minibar should be silent or very quiet. The minibar’s noise level, measured in decibels (dB), is indicated on the energy efficiency label. At INTERGASTRO, most of the units we offer are silent or very quiet. Ideally, the dB value should be 0 dB in very quiet hotel rooms. However, the background noise level in a hotel room is rarely 0 dB, so even minibars with very quiet operating noise of approx. 25 dB can be used without any issues. However, if you want to play it safe, opt for a unit with 0 dB noise emissions, such as the Nature 40 model with a glass door or the Glow 35 model in black.
Freezer compartment:
Some of our minibars are also available with an integrated freezer compartment, allowing guests to enjoy frozen spirits or ice cream, such as the Glaciar 46 model.
Lockable doors:
Models with lockable doors, such as the 40l-GL model from Bartscher, are also available at INTERGASTRO.
Cooling technologies:
Minibars can be equipped with compressors, similar to conventional refrigerators, with absorbers, or with thermoelectric cooling (Peltier effect).
Lighting:
Most minibars feature energy-efficient LED interior lighting that turns on automatically when the door is opened. This makes it easier for guests to find the products they want, especially at night.