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Polar
Out of Stock
Commercial Refrigerated Buffet Bar | Cold Food Display | 4x1/3GN Capacity | Polar CR899
£2,676.14
/ exc vat
£3,211.37/ inc vat
Out of Stock, but not for long
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- Generous 4x 1/1GN Capacity
- Sturdy Castors
- Retractable Sneeze Screen
- User-Friendly Digital Controls
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Product Overview
Thinking about how to really show off your chilled salads, desserts, and appetisers? Say hello to the Polar CR899, a seriously smart bit of kit designed to keep your food perfectly cool and looking absolutely delicious. This isn't just a fridge; it's a stylish centrepiece for any buffet service, blending a lovely wood-effect finish with the tough, reliable performance that professional kitchens demand.
We're talking to you, the hotel breakfast managers, the Sunday carvery pub owners, and the event caterers who need to impress. With a massive 4x 1/1GN pan capacity, this commercial refrigerated buffet bar gives you all the space you need to lay out a fantastic spread. And because it's on sturdy castors, you can wheel it exactly where you need it, whether that's in the main dining room or out on a terrace for a special event.
It’s packed with features that make your life easier, from the simple digital controls to the clever retractable sneeze screen for hygiene and easy access. It’s the perfect blend of good looks and graft. If you want to make your food the star of the show while keeping everything safely chilled and hygienic, this is the way to do it.
Key Features and Benefits
- Generous 4x 1/1GN Capacity: Serve a wide variety of dishes all at once.
- Sturdy Castors: Easily move the unit for service, cleaning, or storage.
- Retractable Sneeze Screen: Keeps food hygienic during service and retracts for easy access.
- User-Friendly Digital Controls: Set and monitor temperatures with absolute ease and precision.
- Stylish Wood & Metal Design: Looks brilliant front-of-house, enhancing your dining environment.
- Easy-Clean Stainless Steel Well: Makes end-of-service cleanup quick, simple, and hygienic.
- Manual Defrost Mode: Simple and effective defrosting to maintain peak performance.
- Energy-Efficient R600a Refrigerant: Kinder to the environment and helps reduce running costs.
Technical Specifications
- Brand: Polar
- SKU: CR899
- Dimensions: 1338(H) x 1490(W) x 766(D) mm
- Weight: 168kg
- Capacity: 4 x 1/1 GN
- Power: 170W
- Voltage: 220-240V (Standard 13A Plug)
- Refrigerant: R600a
- Defrost Type: Manual
- Material: Laminated Board, Stainless Steel, ABS, Metal, Granite
- Colour: Brown / Wood Effect
Expert Review and Insights
The Polar CR899 strikes that rare, perfect balance between front-of-house elegance and back-of-house resilience. It’s a real workhorse dressed in its Sunday best. The mobility and capacity are spot-on for dynamic service environments, making it a truly versatile asset for any buffet-style operation.
Hannah Cartwright – Buffet Equipment View Profile →
- Pros: Excellent mobility on castors and a huge, flexible serving capacity.
- Cons: The manual defrost requires scheduling during quieter operational periods.
Case Study: Real Business, Real Results
The Manor House Hotel in the Cotswolds needed to refresh its popular weekend buffet offering. Their old static units were inefficient and looked dated, impacting the guest experience. They invested in two Polar CR899 units to improve both presentation and operational flexibility.
"The new buffet bars have transformed our dining room. Guests constantly comment on how great the spread looks, and my team loves how easy they are to move and clean. Service is smoother, and the food is held at a perfect, safe temperature throughout."
Jessica Davies – General Manager
The hotel reported a noticeable increase in buffet uptake and a 20% reduction in food waste thanks to more consistent cooling and better presentation.
Installation and Maintenance Guide
Setting It Up
- Once unpacked, position the unit in its final location, ensuring there's about 20cm of space around it for air circulation.
- Give the stainless steel well and sneeze screen a good clean with a food-safe sanitiser before its first use.
- Let the unit stand for at least 4 hours before plugging it in. This allows the refrigerant gas to settle after transport.
- Once switched on, allow it to reach its operating temperature before loading it with any food products.
Keeping It Going
- Wipe down the stainless steel well and sneeze screen daily with a soft cloth and appropriate cleaner.
- Regularly check that the castors are free from debris and that the brakes are functioning correctly.
- Perform a manual defrost when you see ice build-up of more than 5mm to ensure it runs efficiently.
- Keep the ventilation grilles clear of dust and obstructions to prevent the compressor from overheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do the gastronorm pans and lids come with the unit?
A: The gastronorm pans and lids are sold separately. This allows you to choose the exact configuration of pan sizes (e.g., 1/1, 1/2, 1/3 GN) that best suits your menu.
Q: What does 'manual defrost' involve?
A: Manual defrost means you'll need to periodically switch off and empty the unit to allow any ice build-up to melt away naturally. This is best done overnight or during a quiet period.
Q: How easy is it to move?
A: Despite its weight of 168kg, the unit is fitted with heavy-duty castors designed to make moving it for cleaning or repositioning straightforward on a flat surface.
Q: What kind of power supply does it need?
A: It runs on a standard 220-240V mains supply and comes fitted with a 13-amp plug, so you can plug it straight into a regular socket.
Q: How do you clean the retractable sneeze screen?
A: The sneeze screen can be cleaned easily with a soft cloth and a food-safe glass cleaner or sanitiser. Retracting it can sometimes provide better access for cleaning the well beneath.
Q: Can this unit be used for hot food?
A: No, this is a refrigerated unit designed specifically for keeping food chilled. For hot food, you would need a heated display unit or bain marie.
Q: What is R600a refrigerant?
A: R600a is a type of hydrocarbon refrigerant that is much more environmentally friendly than older refrigerants. It has a very low Global Warming Potential (GWP), making it a greener choice.
Q: Is the wood finish real wood?
A: The unit features a high-quality and durable laminated board with a realistic wood effect, designed to be hard-wearing and easy to clean in a commercial environment.
The Polar Advantage: Reliability You Can See
Choosing a Polar product like the CR899 commercial refrigerated buffet bar is about more than just the technical specs; it's an investment in operational confidence. Polar has built a solid reputation in the UK for creating equipment that is the backbone of busy kitchens—reliable, effective, and offering fantastic value. This unit is designed to withstand the daily knocks of a commercial environment while maintaining a premium appearance that directly enhances your customers' perception of quality. It’s a workhorse that doesn't just keep food safe and compliant; it actively elevates your food presentation. This focus on practical, real-world performance means fewer worries about equipment failure and more time focusing on creating a memorable dining experience for your guests.
Explore more from PolarFlexible Hygiene: How the Retractable Sneeze Screen Helps Your Service
You've probably seen fixed sneeze guards, but the retractable one on the Polar CR899 is a bit special. Think of it like the convertible roof on a car. During service, you have it up, providing a robust, hygienic barrier that protects your food from contaminants while still giving customers a crystal-clear view of the delicious options. But when it's time to restock, rearrange the gastronorm pans, or give the unit a thorough clean at the end of the day, you simply retract it. It slides away neatly, giving you completely unobstructed access to the entire well. This simple, clever design makes your life easier, speeds up cleaning, and ensures your commercial refrigerated buffet bar is always hygienic and accessible.
Who Should Buy This?
- Hotel Restaurants: Ideal for upgrading your breakfast or lunch buffet service with a stylish, high-capacity cold food display unit.
- Event Caterers: Its excellent mobility on castors makes it perfect for setting up impressive chilled displays at any venue.
- Pubs & Carveries: A fantastic addition for Sunday roasts or salad bars, keeping everything fresh and appealing for customers.
- Large Staff Canteens: Offers a professional and hygienic way to present a wide range of chilled lunch options to employees.
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