Whose Bar Equipment is Best: Krowne vs Perlick vs Glastender

January 1, 2000
Whose bar equipment is best? Would you believe that there are only three companies worthy of consideration? If you’re in the market for bar equipment, you might be surprised to know that in my book, there are only three legitimate choices. There’s a lot to know when making a decision to purchase bar equipment, and the information can be overwhelming. My goal is to help you streamline the decision-making process. Later in this article, I’ll tell you my favorite bar equipment company._x000D_ My name is Rick Uzubell and I’m a professional bar designer. I’ve been in this professional practice since 2006 and have worked for some incredible clients. Please allow me to be your personal consultant today._x000D_
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How Many Companies Manufacture Bar Equipment in the U.S.?

_x000D_ This is a loaded question, because there are many companies that manufacture bar equipment. However, to those of us who design bars professionally, there are only three companies worthy of consideration. Why? Because according to most insiders, there are only three major players in the bar equipment industry in the U.S. and they are: Glastender, Krowne and Perlick. By now, you must be wondering about all those other names you’ve noticed. Let me explain…_x000D_ _x000D_
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FULLY INTEGRATED COMPANIES

_x000D_ You say, ‘Rick, there’s only three major players? Aren’t there other companies that build bar equipment?’ The answer is yes, but with a caveat. While there are many choices, the other companies have limited or specialized product lines. Glastender, Krowne and Perlick are the only bar equipment companies that are fully integrated:_x000D_ _x000D_ They have a comprehensive line of underbar stainless steel products, each fabricates specials, and each offers a comprehensive line of refrigeration products and draft beer systems. _x000D_ _x000D_ Sure, there are many other companies in this sector, such as AdvanceTabco, Eagle Group, etc., but their product lines are limited, as they don’t offer refrigeration (or have fragmented refrigeration offerings) and draft beer systems and their technology offerings are narrow. Because of these limitations, I don’t normally consider any of these companies for our clients. While we’re at it, let me tell you about a few other popular brands…_x000D_
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Other Familiar Bar Equipment Industry Names

_x000D_ For the record, there are several other U.S. bar equipment manufacturers you may have heard of, such as:_x000D_ _x000D_
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_x000D_ _x000D_ The above-mentioned companies are among a vast number of bar equipment manufacturers, but they’re all specialty companies, primarily known for their refrigeration products (none of them produce underbar stainless steel products). I don’t specify these refrigeration products, because many models don’t fit the modern 24″ built-in profile I strongly recommend, while others don’t offer low-profile underbar products. I’ve never been inclined to mix-and-match manufacturers of bar equipment products. I want our clients to enjoy the aesthetics offered by a single brand, because I strongly feel that the turnkey solution yields the best overall result. Besides, you’ll likely realize better savings by purchasing your equipment from a single manufacturer._x000D_ _x000D_
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WHAT ARE THE MAJOR DIFFERENCES IN QUALITY IN BAR EQUIPMENT?

_x000D_ How does one differentiate quality in bar equipment? As I mentioned earlier, the only fully-integrated bar equipment companies are Glastender, Krowne and Perlick. What sets each apart from the others? I’ll tell you one thing – they all have a wealth of industry experience…_x000D_

What Constitutes Bar Equipment Industry Experience?

_x000D_ In terms of age, all these companies have been in business for generations._x000D_ _x000D_ I don’t place trust in any bar equipment company that’s been in business for less than 10 years. _x000D_ _x000D_ The above companies are family-owned and have been manufacturing bar equipment for more than 50 years, and all have a presence in every corner of the hospitality industry. Perlick is the oldest – going back to the 1920’s with their beer dispensing products. Krowne was established 75 years ago and Glastender 55 years ago. Each company has gone through growth spurts and have recognized the need to maintain relevance through periodic innovation. However, as with many generations-old companies, some become myopic – losing their vision for necessary, continued growth._x000D_

What Are The Categories of Bar Equipment Products?

_x000D_ When evaluating quality purely on the basis of products, all three companies cover the main categories:_x000D_ _x000D_
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How do We Evaluate Bar Equipment Manufacturers?

_x000D_ When evaluating which bar equipment manufacturer is best, there’s a bit more to know. Here’s how I break it down. Let’s face it, quality and innovation are the mainstays by which many are judged, no matter the industry. While some companies have established long and solid reputations, resting on one’s laurels isn’t enough for today’s consumers.  Companies that continually offer high-quality products, coupled with innovation, enjoy the lion’s share of business. Now let’s take a closer look at how I differentiate these competitors from one another (ref. Figure 1 (below))._x000D_ _x000D_
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BEST BAR EQUIPMENT COMPARISON FEATURES
TABLE 1. A capability comparison between Krowne, Perlick and Glastender
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REFRIGERATION WARRANTY

_x000D_ Krowne has clearly given this issue serious thought. Their coolers come with a 2-year warranty on parts and labor, with an option for a third year. When I think of extended warranties, I think of new cars. A manufacturer has to feel very confident in their products to make such a promise to consumers. On the other hand, Perlick and Glastender only offer one year._x000D_ _x000D_
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KROWNE'S BAR EQUIPMENT REMINDS ME OF A FERRARI
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Premium 300 Series Stainless Steel Construction

_x000D_ Folks, this is a huge feature to me, because it screams quality. When I saw Krowne’s display at NAFEM 23, I was overwhelmed. It’s difficult to describe what I witnessed, but Krowne’s finish is so superior to that of its competitors’ bar equipment that I can hardly put describe it in words. Let me put it to you this way. If you’ve ever seen a new red Ferrari, it will take your breath away. I had a similar feeling when I saw Krowne’s equipment. Under 3rd-generation owners, Krowne made a bold move a few years ago by upgrading their equipment’s finish to 301 and 304 stainless steel. For those unaware, these are the highest grades featured in the bar equipment industry. They utilize a considerable amount of chromium and nickel, and to an engineer such as myself, I can spot it a mile away. Krowne’s equipment has a bright, buttery-finish._x000D_

LESSER GRADES OF STAINLESS STEEL ARE NO COMPARISON

_x000D_ Glastender and Perlick look less polished because they utilize lesser grades of stainless steel. Notice the differences in the equipment shown in Figures 2, 3 & 4 (below) – the Glastender and Perlick products are new installations – theirs are no comparison to Krowne! I encourage you to review the downloadable below to understand the differences in stainless steel grades._x000D_ _x000D_
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