130 E 1rst Ave, Junction City , OR, United States of America, 97448
Get Your Cooling System Ready for the Season Ahead
As spring arrives and vineyard life begins to bloom again, it’s the perfect time to wake your chiller from winter hibernation. A smooth startup now means reliable cooling when you need it most — whether you’re cold-soaking rosé lots or prepping for bottling.
Below is a helpful step-by-step guide to safely and efficiently hook up and prepare your chiller for winery use this season:
Spring Chiller Startup Checklist
1. Clean the Condenser Coils
2. Remove Winter Protection
3. Inspect Power & Electrical Connections
4. Check Fluid Levels & Glycol Concentration
5. Reconnect Hoses & Inspect Fittings
6. Run the Chiller in Manual/Test Mode (if applicable)
7. Verify Pump Operation & Flow Direction
8. Review Set Points & Controls
9. Perform a Final Walk-Around Inspection
Questions about your system or planning an expansion?
Give us a call or shoot us an email — we’re happy to help you optimize your chiller setup and keep your winery running cool all year long.
If you have any technical questions about your chiller or have any future expansion plans, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or Contact us.
G&D Chillers Unveils New Sustainable Refrigeration Technology and Industry Innovations
G&D Chillers, known for producing the most reliable premium chillers used in commercial brewing, wine, cannabis, food processing, biogas and other manufacturing industries for more than 30 years, is proud to announce a series of groundbreaking innovations set to redefine the refrigeration landscape in 2025. From sustainable cooling technology to expanded industry partnerships and advanced training programs, G&D Chillers continues to drive the future of industrial chilling solutions.
Revolutionizing Sustainability: Elite 290 Microseries & New Belgium Installation
G&D Chillers proudly introduces its latest environmentally friendly innovation in alternative refrigerant-based chilling: the Elite 290 Microseries is designed to deliver unparalleled efficiency while significantly reducing carbon footprints. These advancements mark a major step forward in sustainable cooling solutions, reinforcing G&D Chillers’ commitment to our planet through sustainable, Made-in-the-USA engineering and manufacturing.
The highly anticipated Elite 290 Microseries has officially launched, bringing an ultra-efficient, small-scale chiller solution to the market. To learn more, read our Microseries Press Release and check out our latest installation at New Belgium Brewing, featuring G&D’s cutting-edge custom Elite 290 chiller unit. View our New Belgium Partnership Ad, as featured in the Spring edition of New Brewer magazine.
G&D’s entire range of glycol and alternative refrigerant-based chillers will be on display at the Craft Brewers Conference in Nashville April 28 – May 1 in booth #421.
Expanding Industry Knowledge: Quarterly Training Program
G&D Chillers continues its commitment to customer education with its Quarterly Training Program. Covering essential topics such as best maintenance practices, troubleshooting, and system optimization, this initiative equips clients with the knowledge needed to enhance their chiller operations. Any current G&D customers interested in taking advantage of this value-add service can contact sarah@gdchillers.com for more information.
G&D Customer and pFriem Beer’s Plant Manager Simon Traeger says about the new training program: “pFriem had a fantastic experience at the refrigeration class at G&D Chillers. The instructors were knowledgeable and approachable, providing hands-on training that helped me gain a deeper understanding of chillers and the systems that make them work. The class was well-organized, and I walked away with valuable skills that I can apply immediately in my work.”
Chillers on the Move: Delivering Excellence for Biogas Industry
G&D Chillers remains a trusted partner for large-scale cooling solutions. This spring, we are proud to highlight the shipment of large chillers to Vision RNG, supporting Biogas Engineering projects. In today’s rapidly evolving energy landscape, renewable energy sources are taking center stage, and biogas is at the forefront of the future of sustainability. As a versatile and sustainable energy source, biogas offers a remarkable solution to reducing carbon emissions and promoting a cleaner environment. G&D Chillers is proud to be part of this transformation by manufacturing hard-working glycol and propane-based chillers that support the biogas industry.
G&D Chillers understands the critical role that temperature control plays in the biogas production process. The company’s best-in-class chillers are designed to meet the unique demands of biogas plants, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency.
“Temperature control is crucial in the upgrading process,” says Scott Timms, Chief Operating Officer at G&D Chillers. “Our chillers are engineered to maintain the precise temperatures needed for maximum biogas production, even in the harsh environments these facilities are often located in. Our state-of-the-art chillers will operate reliably when the plant needs them most.”
G&D Chillers will showcase its large-scale cooling solutions at the upcoming BioGas America tradeshow in booth #929 in Denver, Colo. April 27-May 1.
Innovating with Alternative Refrigerants
As part of their ongoing commitment to sustainability, G&D Chillers is leveraging A2L refrigerants to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact. Here is a recent video showcasing this exciting alternative refrigerant technology.
For more information on G&D Chillers’ latest innovations, upcoming events, and industry advancements, visit www.gdchillers.com or contact our team directly.
About G&D Chillers
Since 1993, G&D Chillers have been manufacturing glycol chillers specifically for the commercial brewing, wine, dairy, cannabis, food processing and manufacturing industries. We are proud to provide chillers for our industry leading customers such as Ninkasi, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Sara Lee, Angry Orchard, Stumptown Coffee, Jim Beam, Samuel Adams, Boeing, Diageo and Brew Dr. Kombucha. With well over 6,000 clients across the U.S. and beyond, we’ve built high-quality chilling units for specialty installations throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, India, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, and the West Indies. No matter what your cooling needs are, whether you require a permanent installation, a portable chiller or a heater, we engineer the finest quality chilling systems in the USA. For more information, visit www.gdchillers.com.
G&D Expands its ‘Elite 290’ Propane Chillers with NEW Microseries
March 7, 2025 – Junction City, Ore. – G&D Chillers, known for producing the most reliable premium chillers used in commercial brewing, wine, cannabis, food processing, biogas and other manufacturing industries for more than 30 years, is pleased to announce its latest innovation as part of its trailblazing Elite 290 line of propane chillers introduced earlier this year.
The Elite 290 Microseries features a compact design that makes it easier to put the chiller in tight spaces. The new design leverages efficient variable speed fans that allow for stable operation in all weather conditions (especially cold weather) and increases fan efficiency. The fans on the Microseries chillers vent vertically as opposed to horizontally, making them ideal for compact conditions.
The Elite 290 Microseries also eliminates the need for mechanical switches, reducing “wear and tear” and resulting in a quieter chiller with a wider fluid temperature range that can more accurately control temperature. The compressors for these smaller chillers are able to stay consistent no matter what the conditions, resulting in a more stable cooling system.
Ideal customers for this type of chiller include those in the beer, wine, spirits, dairy and industrial industries, which G&D Chillers has been serving for over 30 years.
“Everyone who works at G&D Chillers shares a common goal – and that is to be on the forefront of innovation so we can solve problems for our customers,” said Justin Thomas, president of G&D Chillers. “It’s how we’ve built our business and how we continue to operate on a daily basis. Our customer’s needs are always informing the types of chillers we build and we’re really excited to offer our most versatile chiller yet featuring future-proof R290 refrigerant.”
As the leading chilling manufacturer to bring innovative propane technology to the United States, G&D Chillers sets a new standard for sustainability, efficiency and tomorrow-proof chilling solutions. The Elite 290 Microseries is designed to propel businesses toward a better future, with chillers that boast near-zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) and significantly lower energy costs.
Over the past 30 years, the commercial refrigeration industry has undergone a transformative evolution aimed at reducing GWP. The emphasis on energy efficiency and environmentally friendly refrigerants has led to an increased demand for alternative chilling solutions. Government regulations combating climate change have further accelerated the industry's pivot towards sustainable refrigeration methods.
G&D Chillers Elite 290 Micro-Series chillers utilize propane as a natural refrigerant. Propane (R290) lowers the users GWP to near Zero. R290 is a highly efficient refrigerant as well, benefiting a wide array of industries from breweries to industrial biogas. G&D Chillers takes pride in being the first in the commercial chilling industry to reintroduce propane as a natural refrigerant in America- offering a safer, environmentally sound and more efficient chilling solution.
Propane, widely embraced in the U.K. and Europe, is now at the forefront of a movement towards sustainable refrigeration in North America, led by G&D Chillers. The Elite 290 Microseries is designed to be future-proof, and exempt from HFC phase-out programs, ensuring longevity and sustainability.
G&D Chillers' Elite 290 Microseries is poised to redefine the chilling landscape offering businesses a pathway to sustainability, efficiency and tomorrow-proof refrigeration technology.
About G&D Chillers
Since 1993, G&D Chillers have been manufacturing glycol chillers specifically for the commercial brewing, wine, dairy, cannabis, food processing and manufacturing industries. We are proud to provide chillers for our industry leading customers such as Ninkasi, Willamette Valley Vineyards, Sara Lee, Angry Orchard, Stumptown Coffee, Jim Beam, Samuel Adams, Boeing, Diageo and Brew Dr. Kombucha. With well over 6,000 clients across the U.S. and beyond, we’ve built high-quality chilling units for specialty installations throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, India, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Turkey, and the West Indies. No matter what your cooling needs are, whether you require a permanent installation, a portable chiller or a heater, we engineer the finest quality chilling systems in the USA. For more information, visit www.gdchillers.com.
With over 50 years of collective experience in the refrigeration industry, G&D’s Chiller expertise goes far beyond the design and implementation of cutting-edge glycol chilling systems. Many of the leading wineries, here in the USA and around the world, turn to us for innovative Glycol Chillers. G&D has paved the way when it comes to portable glycol chilling. Our sturdy and practical design allows the user to utilize the same robust chiller on a portable platform. Come to our booth 1623 to see our portable Fire & Ice we brought to the show.
G&D Chillers, Inc.
Unified Symposium Booth: 1623
G&D CHILLERS UNDERSTANDS THE NEEDS OF THE WINE INDUSTRY AND WINERY CHILLING IS ONE OF OUR MAIN PRODUCT APPLICATIONS.
We are a dedicated provider of Standard Winery Chillers, as well as Custom Chilling Units, for Wineries throughout the world. With G&D Engineered Winery Chillers installed in over 2,900 Wineries, we have the experience and the know-how to manufacture units to meet, and even exceed, the needs of the wine industry. Over the years, we have helped numerous startup Wineries build their businesses from the ground up. We have found that discussing a few simple ideas about your long-term plans can save you time and allow your winery to expand without requiring retrofitting. Let us assist you in matching a Winery Chilling unit to your present needs and to your future demands as your customer base grows.
And don’t forget to check out the benefits of our Glycol Heaters and our Process Load Controllers for your Winery.
Come talk to us about our new Elite 290 propane series, utilizes propane as a natural refrigerant with near zero global warming potential. G&D Chillers takes pride in being the first in the chiller industry to introduce propane as a natural refrigerant offering. A safer, more effective, and efficient chilling technology. The Elite 290 series is designed to be future-proof, exempt from HFC phase-out programs, ensuring longevity and sustainability. Designed to propel businesses towards a better future.
G&D Chillers, Inc.
WIN Expo Booth: 135
We are a dedicated provider of Standard Winery Chillers, as well as Custom Chilling Units, for Wineries throughout the world. With G&D Engineered Winery Chillers installed in over 2,900 Wineries, we have the experience and the know-how to manufacture units to meet, and even exceed, the needs of the wine industry. Over the years, we have helped numerous startup Wineries build their businesses from the ground up. We have found that discussing a few simple ideas about your long-term plans can save you time and allow your winery to expand without requiring retrofitting. Let us assist you in matching a Winery Chilling unit to your present needs and to your future demands as your customer base grows.
Paul Johnson, G&D’s Director of Technology and R&D
In the ever-evolving refrigeration industry, advancements in technology and materials are crucial for achieving peak performance and meeting today’s challenge of mitigating climate change. One standout innovation is the use of propane (R290) as a refrigerant, a topic we recently explored with Matteo Iobbi, CTO of Frascold, a leading global manufacturer of the most technologically advanced, semi-hermetic compressors on the market today. Frascold partnered with us at G&D Chillers for our new Elite 290 propane chiller line.
Propane’s success in Europe stems from early adoption in niche markets, proving its energy efficiency, versatility, and effectiveness. Over time, stringent regulations on high Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerants accelerated propane’s integration. Today, propane is a staple in mass-produced products such as heat pumps and cooling units across Europe.
As we officially launch this line using alternative refrigerants in the U.S., Matteo shared his insights on propane’s ascent in Europe over the past decade and what American end users can anticipate. Read on for our informative Q&A with Matteo.
What is your role at Frascold?
My daily role involves relationships with customers, distributors, and other stakeholders in the refrigeration HVAC industry. This requires a tight exchange of information with our departments in our headquarters in Italy in order to better serve the U.S. market and tailoring our products.
I am also involved in industry events and initiatives where I can share insights on the latest Frascold technologies and pilot programs around the world.
How has propane taken off in Europe? And why do you think it’s been successful?
The widespread use of this refrigerant is related to its implementation in mass production products such as heat-pumps and cooling units. The success of the R290 refrigerant comes from decades of niche market implementation, demonstrating its energy efficiency, versatility and effectiveness. Regulations on the use of high-GWP refrigerants has, of course, been an accelerator.
As propane begins to take off in the U.S., what recommendations do you have for the end-user? What should they be aware of based on what you’ve seen in Europe?
Ensure that end-users are aware of proper installation, maintenance procedures, and safety guidelines in order to mitigate any risks. Maintenance engineers have to be trained to handle flammable refrigerant and safety devices.
We’ve seen huge benefits of the Elite 290 line, both in efficiency and near-zero global warming potential. What are the major factors that have contributed to the growth and demand in the European market?
The fact that R290 operates within the pressure ranges that manufacturers are used to dealing with, together with efficiency levels and increased public awareness on direct and indirect emissions, have strongly contributed to the growth.
Again, the regulations made the next step in pushing this technology forward easier.
In summary, what are some of the biggest drivers for customers moving toward propane refrigeration like our Elite 290 line?
Outstanding seasonal efficiency, therefore indirect emissions reduced, and negligible direct emissions due to use of R290, are the main drivers. A thorough study has been done of the Elite 290, in order to minimize the charge. Being a chiller with a very low refrigerant charge, for outside installation, with state-of-the-art protection devices make the unit operationally extremely safe. Safety and seasonal efficiency are, in my opinion, the drivers.
Were there any concerns or barriers for customers choosing propane? If so, what solutions have you seen work and have helped drive growth in the market?
The main barrier, like in any other disrupting situations, is “we have always done it this way.” The development of dedicated safety standards and the use of advanced technology has helped to overcome these barriers. Training and education regarding safety, handling, and installation guidelines together with clear maintenance procedures have alleviated the concerns and grown the self-assurance on this type of product.
Do you have any knowledge of where the U.S. regulatory authorities are in writing new codes or standards in allowing R290 to be more mainstream?
We at Frascold are closely following the evolution of the U.S. standards such as ASHRAE 15 and UL 60335-2-40, as well as the EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP) program. They are all moving towards the development of clear safety requirements as well as increasing the limits of the refrigerant charges.
Leading the Charge
G&D Chillers stands at the forefront of this refrigeration revolution, setting new benchmarks in efficiency and safety. As the U.S. market embraces propane, insights from industry leaders like Matteo Iobbi at Frascold underscore the importance of rigorous training, robust safety protocols, and compliance with evolving regulations. Together, we can forge a greener, more efficient future for refrigeration.
To discover your custom chilling solution, schedule your consultation with G&D Chillers’ exceptional engineering team today.
R290 vs C02
CO2 has major problems that make it a poor choice for the future, it is highly inefficient, equipment, maintenance, and operational costs are high, and reliability is poor.
A quick note about A2Ls which are a good interim solution, but they won’t be around forever.
R290 | Co2 | COMPARISON | |
BREWERY COP | 8.5 | 5.03 | R290 is 70% more efficient than CO2 in a brewery. |
CRITICAL TEMPERATURE | 206˚ F | 88˚ F | Virtually all of the US sees summertime temperatures above the critical temperature of CO2, meaning that sub-critical CO2 systefms stop working altogether when it’s hot outside. |
GWP | GWP = 3.3 (New studies put it at less than 1) GWP-20 = 0.072 GWP-100 = 0.02 | GWP = 1 GWP-20 = 1 GWP-100 = 1 | Both have negligible global warming potential. However, the long term GWP for R290 is essentially zero, where CO2 is 1. If the current trends of higher efficiency requirements and the more restrictive GWP requirements continue, CO2 will be on the chopping block. |
FIRST COST | Comparable to today’s technology. | Approximately 2-4x today’s technology. | Higher pressures and new components required for the trans-critical refrigeration cycle makes every part of the CO2 system more expensive. |
OPERATING COST | Slightly more energy efficient than today’s best refrigerants. | 28-70% higher energy consumption than todays common refrigerants. | R290 chillers cut energy costs by about 70% when compared to CO2 trans-critical chillers. |
MAINTENANCE COST | Similar to today’s chillers. | More expensive and harder to find qualified technicians. | R290 chillers are generally less costly to maintain because the basic components and technology is familiar to all refrigeration technicians. Currently, it is very difficult to find a technician qualified to work on, or even familiar with the trans-critical CO2 refrigeration cycle. |
REPAIR PARTS COST | Similar to today’s chillers. | 2-4x higher or more. | R290 chiller repair parts are less costly because they’re basically the same parts we’ve used in refrigeration for the last 100 years. CO2 chiller parts require higher pressure ratings (multiple thousands of psi) and there are entirely new parts invented recently for CO2 systems, making parts tremendously more expensive. Also, because of the higher pressure and heat, the moving parts don’t last as long. |
TRAINING | Requires safe handling training. However, the refrigeration cycle and components are all familiar. | Requires safe handling training. Requires extensive training to understand and perform diagnostics on an entirely unique refrigeration cycle. | Safety training is required for both options. However, CO2 systems work on a completely different (trans-critical) cycle requiring high level training to understand. |
To learn more about our new Elite 290 line of chillers email us directly at elite290@gdchillers.com
Summer is upon us, and whether you’re a brewer trying to keep up with the summer rush, a winemaker preparing for harvest, or in any other application where a chiller is used, keeping your chiller running at peak performance is critical. Activate remote monitoring today and you’ll be able to monitor your chillers’ performance anytime, anywhere. The system sends text and email alerts for any abnormal conditions – offering peace of mind that your equipment is operating smoothly. Learn more about remote monitoring here!
Here are 5 helpful tasks you can do yourself to keep your chiller running smoothly.
These are just a few tasks you can do to keep your chiller in tip-top shape. Refer to the manual that came with your system for more in-depth information on maintaining your chiller.
And, for extra peace of mind, hiring a professional to check the refrigerant pressures and electrical components is never a bad idea. If you have any questions or need help with your chiller, please give us a call. We’re always happy to help!
To learn more, visit our Elite 290 product page or email us at info@gdchillers.com for more details.
Thirty years ago, when Oregon first received international acclaim for its wine, we were there. Like your vines, our roots run deep. G&D was originally founded by a grape farmer, who recognized the need for a quality packaged chiller built specifically for wineries.
Since then, we've aged well, becoming the most advanced and reliable chiller company in the world.
Whether it's cold stabilizing your whites, or jump starting your fermentation by heating your reds. We help bring the engineering to your art.
With over 2,000 wineries, we know how to manufacture chillers.
Title | Name | Phone | Extension | |
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VP SALES | Andy Backer | Info@gdchillers.com | 8005550973 |
Locations | Address | State | Country | Zip Code |
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G&D Chillers, Inc. | 130 E 1rst Ave, Junction City | OR | United States of America | 97448 |