WHAT IS THE CHILL CHAMBER?

Q:  What is the Chill Chamber?
 
A:  The Chill Chamber is an innovative refrigeration system that uses super-cooling technology to take the temperature of beer to 22°F, without freezing it.  The proprietary technology allows retail establishments to provide their customers with ultra cold beer that stays colder longer.

WHY THE CHILL CHAMBER?

Q:  The recommended serving temperature for beer has generally been between 38° - 40°F.  Why is Anheuser-Busch now suggesting serving it at lower temperatures?*

A:  Traditionally, the  recommended a serving temperature of approximately 38-40°F as the optimum serving temperatures for lagers.  Today’s consumers want choices – new ways to experience beer.  Anheuser-Busch provides choices by developing innovative products, packages, and new technological advances that provide today’s adult consumers with the variety they demand.   With the advent of aluminum bottles, the Chill Chamber offers Anheuser-Busch, its wholesalers, retailers and consumers an exciting and innovative way to enjoy super cold beer. 

Q:  Can’t ultra cold temperatures be achieved with ice or with standard refrigeration turned down to colder temperatures?

A:  The coldest ice or an ice/water bath can get beer is about 32°F.  If standard refrigeration is turned down to 22°F, it is likely the beer will freeze.  With selective packaging, the Chill Chamber uses technology that super cools beer to 22°F without freezing.  In our quest for ultra cold beer technology, only the Chill Chamber could achieve this.

HOW IT WORKS

Q:  How cold will the Chill Chamber chill beer?

A:  The Chill Chamber will refrigerate down to 22°F, 10° below the freezing point of water.   That’s below ice cold, that’s super cold!   The LED digital temperature display is designed to electronically reflect the actual beer temperature and is accurate to approximately +/- 1°F.  The temperature display may fluctuate as beer cools down, refrigerator doors are opened often, or held open during reloading.

Q:  Sometimes the display warms up for an hour or so.  Why?

A:  When we refrigerate to such a cold temperature, the humidity in the air – which is pulled into the cooler when the doors are opened – attaches itself in the form of frost to the refrigeration coils concealed in the top of the unit.  Every so often, to remove that frost from the coil, we run a defrost cycle.  To do this, we turn off the refrigeration and turn on a heating element which quickly melts the frost.  During this defrost cycle, there may be a slight warming of the beer.  If there were no defrost cycle, the Chill Chamber would eventually lose efficiency and stop working because the coil would block up with frost and not allow air to pass through and cool down. 

Q:  How often does the Chill Chamber defrost?

A:  When a Chill Chamber is shipped, it is set to perform two defrost cycles each day -  one at 2 a.m. and the other at 2 p.m.  For most locations, two defrost cycles are all that is necessary.  However, in some locations where there is high humidity, or, if the doors are frequently opened, it may be necessary to set more defrost cycles. The Chill Chamber is very flexible and can be programmed to have more defrosts, or the defrosts can be programmed to happen at alternate times that are more convenient. Consult the Operators Guide or contact Hussmann for more information.

SET UP/SERVICE

Q:  What needs to be done to set up the Chill Chamber?

A:  Set up of the Chill Chamber is simple.  Once placed in its permanent location and leveled, simply install the shelves and any brackets, plug it in, and set the time clock.  Unless you require defrost cycles at alternative times, all other settings are automatic.  Note: Double Chamber requires a dedicated 20amp receptacle and circuit. Consult the Operators Guide. 

Q:  When delivered, I want help to get my Chill Chamber set up and operational.  Is this possible?

A:  Yes, help is available, but most people can set up the unit themselves.  Very simple instructions come with the Chill Chamber.  If you still require assistance, Hussmann can help.  If necessary, Hussmann can even send a technician.  Hussmann will quote a price for this service.  This is called the “set up service”. 

Q:  How do I get service or technical assistance for my Chill Chamber?

A:  Call Hussmann at 1-800-504-4828, which is Hussmann’s 24/7/365 call center, or visit www.chillchamber.com.

Q:  How do I get sales or finance assistance for my Chill Chamber?

A:  Go to www.chillchamber.com or call Hussmann at 1-800-957-6918.    

Q:  I don’t like my defrost cycles coming on at the preset times.  Can this be changed?

A:  Yes.  One of the great features of the Chill Chamber is its adaptability to your
retail operation.  There are several ways to set the defrost times.  They can be set in multiple even increments during the day, starting at a particular time.  Or, they can be set for multiple uneven increments – giving you total control.  This allows you to plan defrost cycles that don’t interfere with your prime serving hours.  Consult the Operators Guide or contact Hussmann directly for more information.

STOCKING PRODUCT

Q:  When is the best time to load the unit?

A: It is impossible to reload the unit during the course of business and expect to achieve the ultra cold temperatures. The best time to reload the Chill Chamber is at closing time.  This will allow the Chill Chamber to work overnight to achieve super cold temperatures by the next day.  Make sure to consider this when determining the size model of Chill Chamber to purchase. 

Q:  How long does it take to bring the beer down to 22°F?
 
A:  This depends on a few factors:

• How much beer is going into the unit
• The temperature of the beer being loaded
• The air temperature around the unit (indoors, outdoors)

As a guide, if beer is 45°F when loaded, and you are replacing half the beer in the unit,  it normally takes 4 to 5 hours to chill to 22°F.  If beer is at room temperature (typically 70°F), chill down could take 7 to 8 hours.  For a complete reload from empty it can take up to 12 hours.

Q:  What if I sell more beer in one night than my Chill Chamber can hold?
 
A:  We say congratulations and thank you!  Congratulations because you have clearly found something your consumers want and love, and thank you for selling so much of our beer!  Seriously, in your situation, you may want to consider having a second (or third) Chill Chamber for chilling back stock.  In the event your primary Chill Chamber empties during peak hours, restocking with beer that is already chilled to 22°F will allow you to keep giving your guests what they want. 

Q:  My shelves only accommodate the Anheuser-Busch 16 oz. aluminum bottles.  How do I use other products?
 
A:  The Chill Chamber has been optimized to refrigerate Anheuser-Busch 16 oz. aluminum bottles.  The refrigeration and the shelving have been designed to work together and to optimize the airflow that is so vital to make the Chill Chamber work. Refrigeration of other products may cause those products to freeze, cause product breakage, and/or cause damage to the Chill Chamber.  Using alternative products is done at the owner’s risk. Removing/changing/ or altering shelves or settings of the controls (other than the clock and the number and timing of defrosts) invalidates any warranty or extended warranty.

Q:  Can you put glass bottles in the Chill Chamber? 

A:  The Chill Chamber has been designed for use with Anheuser-Busch’s 16 oz. aluminum bottles.  The Double Chamber can also accommodate 16 oz. plastic (PET) bottles.  Glass bottles or aluminum cans run the risk of freezing and/or breaking.  The shelving in the Single Chamber will only accommodate the 16 oz. aluminum bottles. 

Q:  Anheuser-Busch PEELS bottles fit in the shelves.  Can PEELS be placed in the Chill Chamber? 

A:  Yes.  Our testing has shown that the product characteristics of PEELS allow PEELS bottles to be successfully placed in the Chill Chamber without freezing. 

Q:  My Chill Chamber comes with sliding gravity shelves. (Single chamber model  and counter models only.) How should they be set?

A:  We recommend that you place the rear shelf support clips six slots higher than the front clips.  This should allow proper forward sliding action for the bottles.

PAYMENT AND WARRANTY

Q:  How do I order and pay for a Chill Chamber? 

A:  Orders for Chill Chambers can be placed on-line at www.chillchamber.com, or www.chillchamber.hussmann.com or by calling 1-800-957-6918.  Purchases can be made by credit card or by check, or money order.  If paid by check, there is a short waiting period before shipping while the check clears.  Financing also is available.  Information is available at www.chillchamber.com, or www.chillchamber.hussmann.com.   For order quantities over 101 units, please call Hussmann at 1-800-957-6918.

Q:  What does the “destination charge” include? 

A:  The destination charge covers all shipping and handling of the Chill Chamber from the point of manufacture to your door.  Since many retailers don’t have a truck dock, this charge also includes lift-gate service at the final destination.  If you do have a truck dock and the unit doesn't have to be lowered to the ground, you can request a $45 deduction from the destination charge. (As the Countertop Chamber is lightweight, it does not require lift-gate service.  The $45 has already been deducted from the destination charge.)
For larger orders in truckload quantities, please call Hussmann for truckload rates at 1-800-957-6918.

Q:  What’s the difference between a “destination charge” and the optional “inside delivery charge”?

A:  A “destination charge,” as described in the previous question, pays for shipping and handling of the Chill Chamber from the point of manufacture to the door of the final destination.  The “inside delivery” is an optional service that can be purchased from Hussmann.  When this option is purchased the trucking company will deliver the unit inside the first entrance to the destination, up to 2-4 feet inside. 

Q: What is a “Setup Service"? 

A: Hussmann can also provide additional set up service to install the shelving, set the time clock and make changes to defrost settings.  Please call Hussmann at 1-800-957-6918 for a price for this service. The price will be quoted based on the location of the unit and how far the technician needs to travel.

Q:  I have a whole fleet of units that I want to order and have delivered.  What should I do?

A:  Contact Hussmann; there are special services that Hussmann can provide for you including large order discounts (over 100 units ordered from a single customer at once), special delivery services etc.. In some instances, we may be able to add custom logo of your company to the unit subject also to the approval of Anheuser-Busch. Contact us for more info. Call Hussmann at 1-800-957-6918.

Q:  What is the term of my warranty and what does it cover? 

A:  The limited warranty is for one year parts and labor, subject to the specifics in the written warranty. The full text of the warranty, including limitations and exclusions can be found at www.hussmann.com and in the Owner's Manual that is included with each unit. Some components of the Chill Chamber system are warranted for a longer period of time.  The compressor comes with a five year parts only warranty following the first year parts/labor period. 

Q. I still have other questions about the Chill Chamber cooler.  Where can I get answers?