An ice well is the insulated stainless basin at a bar station that stores ice for building drinks during service. A commercial ice well holds 135 to 168 L, about 263 to 328 lb of usable ice, enough for a full peak service. Ice well, ice bin, and ice chest all name the same component.
Ice is the one ingredient in nearly every drink, so the well that holds it sets the bar's tempo. An undersized or thin-walled well melts down mid-rush and sends a runner for buckets. A properly sized, insulated ice well carries the whole service in one fill.
How to size an ice well
Plan ice well capacity around peak service, not average. Figure 1 to 1.5 lb of ice per drink per peak hour, then add a 20 percent buffer so the well never runs dry at the worst moment.
135 L well (263 lb usable)
Fits a compact bar serving 80 to 120 guests, the 52-inch station.
168 L well (328 lb usable)
Fits high volume serving 120 to 200+ guests, the 65 and 88-inch stations.
Insulation: NSF-spec, R-3
Closed-cell foam holds ice solid through a 4 to 5-hour service without a melt-and-restock cycle.
Ice well vs. ice bin vs. cold plate
Ice well, ice bin, and ice chest are interchangeable names for the same insulated basin at the station. A cold plate is a separate add-on: a chilled metal plate at the bottom of a well that cools draft lines running through it. Kobayashi wells are built for fast-melting bar ice and rapid drainage, with two 2-inch drains standard.
Every Kobayashi station includes the ice well integrated, insulated, and drained. Choose drop-in for built-in bars or standalone for modular setups:
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Related commercial bar equipment
Bar Ice Bin
The same insulated well, viewed from the drop-in vs standalone choice.
Speed Rail
The bottle rail mounted on the ice well face.
Underbar Equipment
How the ice well anchors the full underbar layout.
Frequently asked questions
An ice well is the insulated stainless basin at the bartender's station that stores ice for drink builds during service. It is the same component bartenders also call an ice bin or ice chest.
Size it to a full peak service: 135 L (about 263 lb usable) for a compact bar, 168 L (about 328 lb usable) for high volume. Plan 1 to 1.5 lb of ice per drink per peak hour plus a 20 percent buffer.
None. Ice well, ice bin, and ice chest all name the insulated basin that stores ice at the station, as distinct from an ice maker, which produces ice rather than holding it.
Kobayashi wells are built for ice storage and fast drainage with two 2-inch drains standard. A cold plate, which chills draft lines, is a separate component and not part of the standard well.