An upstart bar equipment company known as Eurobar has been making a lot of noise lately. I’ve never had so many colleagues ask me about a new line of equipment. Over the past two years I’ve been specifying Krowne’s bar equipment – because I think it’s the best. With the emergence of Eurobar, I feel obligated to give my professional opinion about how they compare. Today, it’s Eurobar vs. Krowne and I have some shocking news! For those who don’t know me, welcome! 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. Many changes occur over time and despite this, my top priority has been to make prudent recommendations – a fiduciary of sorts. A few significant changes have transpired since the pandemic, and this is the inspiration of this article.
THE KROWNE MODULAR BAR DIE SOLVES THE BIGGEST PROBLEM IN BAR CONSTRUCTION
Whenever I discuss bar equipment with a new client, I always begin with this question – ‘What’s the biggest problem in construction today?’ Skilled labor. Clients are always at a loss when finding qualified contractors. This is a common problem across the U.S. According to PRT Staffing, “…in 2022 there were 650,000 open jobs in the construction industry. Builders have more trouble finding carpenters than roofers, electricians, or just about anything else, and by a wide margin.”
THE PROBLEM IS ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE
Folks, this problem is only going to get worse. So good luck if you’re planning on stick-building your bar. To date, the only solution I’ve been able to stand behind is the modular bar die by Krowne. Why? Because the Krowne modular bar die (KMB) will make your life much easier! How so? Because the Krowne KMB is manufactured in a factory and shipped to you in prebuilt sections up to seven feet in length. Well then, what about Eurobar? Stay tuned…
IN THE RESTAURANT AND BAR INDUSTRY TIME IS MONEY
Because the Krowne KMB is factory-built with close tolerances, your bar can be set and fastened to the floor in a matter of hours, with the highest accuracy – and by people with no bar-building experience! Consider this:
With the Krowne KMB, contractors not only don’t have to build the bar base, they also avoid the misery of having to locate and set each piece of equipment and bolting them together!
EUROBAR vs Krowne: KROWNE’S KMB ELIMINATES THE CONFUSION FROM BAR CONSTRUCTION!
Figure 1 (above) depicts a bar equipment layout for a 30′ diameter bar. The underbar has a total of 66 pieces of stainless equipment – including 32 angle fillers (five different sizes). If someone wanted to stick-build this bar, even a veteran would be heavily challenged. Does anyone realize that many bar equipment components look so similar?!
BAR EQUIPMENT IS VERY CONFUSING
Let’s be honest. Bar equipment is very confusing to most people. Many pieces are built in 6” increments and bars frequently have custom components that are difficult to differentiate. With standard bar equipment, it could take weeks to build this bar and set all the equipment – and there will probably be mistakes. Just imagine how tedious and time-consuming it would be to build a bar such as this – especially for those who’ve never done it before. Some contractors may not even realize that they have a damaged or missing component for a week! And with today’s labor shortage, the contractor might even walk off the job! Ironically, with the Krowne KMB, this entire bar base and all its equipment could be located, leveled and set in one-two days! How does Eurobar compare? Please give me a few more minutes.
HOW MANY TYPES OF COMMERCIAL UNDERBAR SYSTEMS ARE AVAILABLE?
Let me clear the air. For all the equipment on the market, there’s only two classes. Sure, there are multitudes of individual components, and as I’m about to demonstrate, it all boils down to whether the equipment has self-supporting legs – does the equipment have legs or doesn’t it? That’s the simple explanation.
STUCK ON YOUR BAR DESIGN? CALL US NOW…
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- FIGURE 2. DETAILED VIEW OF STANDARD UNDERBAR EQUIPMENT WITH SUPPORT LEGS
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- FIGURE 3. SECTION VIEW OF EUROBAR “MODULAR BAR EQUIPMENT” WITH SUPPORT LEGS
UNDERBAR EQUIPMENT SUPPORTED BY LEGS
The entire underbar equipment industry was originally built on legs (refer to Figure 2, above), and the mechanicals were (and still are) installed directly beneath. Eurobar, a newcomer to the market calls their equipment “modular bar equipment” and has everyone convinced that it’s something different and…ahem…better. In spite of the marketing gimmicks going on out there lately, all bar equipment that’s built on legs is “modular”. Like all other traditional equipment, it’s available in 6” incremental lengths.
SO WHAT’S THE POINT BEHIND EUROBAR CALLING THEIR BAR EQUIPMENT “MODULAR”? EVERYONE’S BAR EQUIPMENT IS MODULAR!
Referring to an old concept by a new name is misleading! To me, it’s a marketing gimmick. The only thing different about Eurobar’s “modular bar equipment” is that each component is manufactured with a cutout (chase) on the back side so the mechanicals can be hidden (refer to Figure 3, above). More about that later.
But let’s understand one thing: all stainless steel underbar equipment built on legs is required to be installed directly adjacent to a short wall (known as the bar base), which supports the bar top. The bar base is commonly built on-site and can be constructed from either wood or metal studs.
SOME HAVE TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN REARRANGE EUROBAR’S EQUIPMENT
Anyone who thinks that they’re going to move their bar equipment around once it’s set in place is dreaming. I’ve been professionally designing bars since 2006 and in all my years, nobody – I mean nobody – has ever expressed an interest in moving their bar equipment once it has been set. If Eurobar’s marketing pitch is about the flexibility of moving it after it has been set, I don’t believe any bar or restaurant owner would ever really want to do that. As I’m about to demonstrate, I don’t think it would be an easy task.
Krowne’S MODULAR BAR DIE: UNDERBAR EQUIPMENT SUPPORTED BY A WALL
As I mentioned earlier, the other style of stainless steel underbar equipment is offered without self-support legs, as shown in Figure 4, above. This equipment is known as the “modular bar die”. The modular bar die is manufactured in a factory where various equipment configurations are welded to a wall (bar base) consisting of specialized metal studs.
FAST AND ACCURATE INSTALATIONS WITH KROWNE’S LONG MODULAR BAR DIE SECTIONS!
Each bar equipment layout consists of modular bar die assemblies up to 7’ in length. The completed assemblies contain several pieces of bar equipment. My hands-down favorite modular bar die is the KMB manufactured by Krowne. Because of the inherent length of the modular bar die, many bars designed with the Krowne KMB are delivered to the customer in just several pieces. And because the equipment doesn’t require legs and the mechanicals are installed within the bar base itself, housekeeping is a breeze with the Krowne KMB! The KMB has numerous intrinsic benefits, which I’ll discuss later in this article.
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- FIGURE 5. NARROW ISLAND BAR WITH KROWNE MODULAR BAR DIE
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- FIGURE 6. PRE-ENGINEERED WAINSCOT PANELS FOR KROWNE MODULAR BAR DIE
THE INSTANT BAR – WHY THE KROWNE MODULAR BAR DIE WILL SAVE YOU TIME AND MONEY!
Let’s say that you’re planning to build a new 30’ long island bar. How would you like your new bar to be installed before lunch and with minimal disruption? Consider the bar shown in Figure 5 (above). Krowne will ship this 30’ bar will in eight pieces – it can be set in-place, leveled and anchored before lunch! On the other hand, the same bar with Eurobar requires 20 pieces of underbar stainless equipment! Obviously, we aren’t quite done yet, but with the Krowne KMB, there’s only a couple more steps:
- The bar top is very simple, and it could be installed before the end of the first day.
- As mentioned earlier, because the Krowne KMB is loaded with all those wonderful mechanical chases, the electrical and plumbing is commonly installed in as little as two days.
- The wainscot (refer to Figure 6, above) is normally outsourced to a millwork shop, and is commonly installed in one day.
CAN BAR AND RESTAURANT OWNERS AFFORD TO LOSE THREE WEEKS OF DOWNTIME?
As we all know, time is money. Long construction projects will kill your business! Consider this:
The reality is that a 25′ long bar requires two-three weeks to build. It takes at least one week just to build a conventional bar base and set the equipment. It commonly takes one-two more weeks to wire, plumb and finish the rest of your bar. This also applies to bars using Eurobar equipment.
Do you think you’ll lose customers if your bar or restaurant is down for three weeks? What if you have to layoff employees?
How long does it take to build a bar built with the Krowne modular bar die vs. a conventional bar?
EUROBAR “MODULAR BAR EQUIPMENT” ISN’T NEARLY THE SAME AS Krowne’S MODULAR BAR DIE!
As I mentioned earlier, Eurobar refer to their equipment as “modular bar equipment”. Over the last 80 years or so, everyone who’s been manufacturing stainless steel underbar equipment has been producing each component as individual modules. To me, bar equipment referred to as “modular” connotes only one type – the Krowne modular bar die.
What bar equipment is modular?
Don’t be misled! The phrase Eurobar’s “modular bar equipment” is merely a play on words. There’s nothing new about individual pieces of bar equipment built on support legs. The way I see it, the only thing unique to Eurobar equipment is the small relief (chase) in the back of each component, so the mechanicals can be hidden; this ISN’T remotely like the Krowne modular bar die. With Eurobar, the contractor must still first build a bar base before each individual piece of equipment can be set in place. Once set in place, nobody would ever dream of moving a given component to another area of the bar, because that would set off a time-consuming chain reaction – because many pieces would have to be moved.
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- FIGURE 7. CUTAWAY VIEW SHOWING KROWNE’S HIGHLY ENGINEERED MECHANICAL CHASES
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- FIGURE 8. INSTALLATION PHOTO OF THE KROWNE KMB
THE KROWNE MODULAR BAR DIE – SUPERIOR ENGINEERING
Now that we know that Eurobar isn’t a modular bar die isn’t, what sets Krowne’s apart? Figure 7 (above) shows a section view of Krowne’s engineered work of art. Besides its sheer beauty, the Krowne modular bar die is built for ease of installation and maintenance in mind. Many people wonder why Krowne has designed their product with so many holes and slots. As shown in Figure 8 (above), there are groups of holes and slots and each is a dedicated mechanical chase, engineered for separate functions:
- Vent – 1.9” O.D (upper 31/2" x 8 1/2" slot)
- Electrical – ½” (typ.)
- Draft beer – up to 4 ¼” (5" dia. hole)
- Soda – up to 3” (two 3 1/2" dia. holes)
- Water – up to ¾”
- Plumbing – 1.9” O.D. (lower 3 1/2" x 8 1/2" slot)
WHY DOES THE KROWNE KMB HAVE SO MUCH SEPARTION BETWEEN ITS CHASES?
I can best answer this question by illustration. Referring to the information in Figure 9 (above), the Krowne modular bar die dedicates a total of 105 square inches to utility chase ways – all separated by generous distance. For those unaware, the IBC (International Building Code) requires drain lines to be pitched at least ¼” per foot. By itself, the drain line occupies substantial vertical space, which is why the 8 ½”H plumbing chase is located near the bottom.
WHEN IT COMES TO MECHANICAL CHASES, BIGGER IS BETTER
On the other hand, Eurobar attempts to perform the same functionality in a single 4”W x 10”H space (40 square inches), without compartmentalized separation. How can anyone cram 105 square inches of mechanicals into 40 square inches, especially with plumbing drains? Many cities, such as New York, require cast iron drains. How can a service technician isolate a mechanical problem with Eurobar equipment?
- The mechanicals buried behind the unit
- What if he/she has to pull every piece of equipment?
- Does that person then have to reinstall it?
KROWNE KMB SUPERIOR SERVICEABILITY vs EUROBAR
With the Krowne KMB, the owner receives the benefit of having all utilities separated by generous distance. All conduits are easily accessible and out of sight.
As opposed to Eurobar’s approach (of buried mechanicals), with the Krowne KMB, your mechanicals are generously separated and accessed by removable service panels, as illustrated in Figure 10 (below). Talk about easy maintenance – nothing beats this! If an electrician, plumber or draft beer technician is called for service, which system would you rather own?
WHY ARE THE SLOTS IN THE KROWNE KMB SO LONG?
Because IBC requires that plumbing drains have to be pitched at least ¼” per foot, we need to allow for 2 1/2″ of pitch if the distance to the floor sink is 10’. Figure 11 (above) illustrates a detailed view of Krowne’s KMB. Cast iron drains are still required by various building departments. Cast iron drains are typically 1.9” in diameter, the the top of the pipe must be at least 4 ½” above the bottom of the slot.
MECHANICAL CHASE COMPARISON: EUROBAR vs KROWNE
With the Eurobar equipment this accounts for nearly half the total height of its chase! Assuming a 1.9” vent and 4 ¼” draft beer trunkline (not to mention electrical conduit), the Eurobar chase would be thoroughly crammed! Krowne has designed the KMB so all these mechanicals are beautifully separated. However, Eurobar is going to be a serviceman’s nightmare, because one or more of the trades will likely have a very tough time servicing their work.
OTHER FEATURES OF THE Krowne MODULAR BAR DIE
The Krowne KMB is shipped standard with outlet boxes behind refrigeration units and blender stations; other boxes can be furnished wherever desired (per the customer’s preferred locations).
Because all underbar stainless equipment is welded to the Krowne modular bar die frame, there are no legs – making cleaning a breeze! From an aesthetic perspective, the interior face of the Krowne MBD is covered from top-to-bottom with stainless steel. A veritable work of art!
Do all the holes and slots in the Krowne modular bar die compromise its strength?
MORE ABOUT EUROBAR vs Krowne
Eurobar has done a good marketing job, having attracted the attention of many. They boast superior ergonomics (ergonomics happens to be a popular buzzword among people shopping for bar equipment). Elevating the working height to 32” is OK, but there certainly isn’t anything inferior about a 30” working height – the entire bar equipment industry has been built around this height, and I’ve never heard anyone complain. I believe the reason Eurobar set their working height at 32” was to create more space in their mechanical chase. The 32” working height is a slight ergonomic benefit. But while we’re on the topic of ergonomics, what’s with all those doors 12” below the working surface (20” above the finished floor) – that’s ergonomic?
INSTALLING EUROBAR EQUIPMENT IS QUIRKY AND DIFFICULT
If it hasn’t hit you yet, how are the mechanicals installed with Eurobar equipment? Remember, the mechanicals are behind the equipment, which means they must be installed before the equipment is set! To facilitate this, the equipment must first be set and chalk lines must be established to properly locate the 10” envelope of the mechanical chase. Then the equipment must be removed – but where can the equipment be moved to avoid damage in the interim? So, the plumber and electrician must perform their work within the context of two horizontal chalk lines? After this step, the bar equipment must be reinstalled. The final connections are then completed. Once the electrical and plumbing is permanently behind the equipment, how does a service tech locate a problem when they’re unable to see their work? Good luck with all that!
EUROBAR vs Krowne: EUROBAR DOESN’T SUPPORT UNDERCOUNTER DRAFT BEER
What if you desire undercounter draft beer service (UCM)? Eurobar doesn’t support UCM? Why? Because the glycol trunkline must pass through the Eurobar mechanical chase. As illustrated in Figure 12 (below), Eurobar doesn’t offer a beer drainer or any other underbar component with a vertical chase. On the other hand, Krowne supports the UCM with their standard underbar equipment, as well as their modular bar die.
EUROBAR vs KROWNE – WHICH BAR EQUIPMENT IS BETTER?
Krowne is my clearcut favorite. Eurobar has caught the attention of many recently, but to me, it’s a “flash in the pan”. Consider the following:
- Any bar built with the Krowne modular bar die will save at least one-two weeks, as compared to any bar built with Eurobar.
- Complex bars - even circular bars - become simple when using the Krowne modular bar die.
- For bars built with the Krowne modular bar die, the mechanical equipment is far easier to install and service vs. bars built with Eurobar bar equipment.
- Krowne has a complete line of bar equipment, including refrigeration and draft beer systems.
- Krowne is the bar equipment industry leader and is constantly on the "cutting edge" of product development.
- All of Krowne's underbar stainless equipment is compatible with their KMB modular bar die; this includes the renowned "Taffer Command Station", the new and innovative "Move Well Adaptive Work Station" (see above video) and any future additions.
I highly recommend Krowne and its modular bar die to everyone because I believe it saves significant time, is very user-friendly and is the best overall solution for our clients.
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