An A. O. Smith Product Installation
Project:
In 2013, Carey Bringle opened Peg Leg Porker in Nashville, which quickly became one of the most acclaimed barbecue restaurants in the U.S. In 2021, Carey launched Bringle’s Smoking Oasis, a Nashville restaurant offering Southwest-style cuisine. He installed an A. O. Smith Cyclone™ FLEX™ commercial water heater to deliver uninterrupted hot water to meet the restaurant’s high demand.
Location:
Nashville, Tennessee
Product(s):
Cyclone™ FLEX™
Features & Benefits:
Up to 98% Efficiency
Reduce energy costs and maximize return on investment with ENERGY STAR® certified performance.
Smarter Gas Control
The AiQ™ Adaptive Gas Control System automatically optimizes combustion based on fuel conditions for efficient, reliable operation.
Advanced Monitoring and Control
A 7-inch touchscreen display and iCOMM™ connectivity make it easy to monitor, manage, and adjust water heater performance from virtually anywhere.
Greater Energy Utilization
A submerged combustion chamber helps capture more usable heat while reducing energy waste.
Installation Flexibility
Support for multiple venting materials and configurations simplifies installation for both new construction and retrofit projects.
Early Leak Detection
Built-in leak monitoring provides alerts through audible alarms and iCOMM™ notifications, helping prevent costly downtime and damage.
Compact Footprint
Designed to fit in tight mechanical spaces while maintaining service accessibility.
Long-Term Tank Protection
Powered anode technology helps protect the tank without the maintenance requirements associated with traditional sacrificial anodes.
Reliable, Lasting Efficiency
The helical coil heat exchanger promotes efficient heat transfer and helps resist scale buildup for dependable performance over time.
The Challenge
Bringle’s Smoking Oasis was designed to accommodate significant customer volumes, with seating for approximately 300 guests outdoors and 40 indoors within its 2,800-square-foot facility. The restaurant’s commercial kitchen relies on a continuously operating dishwashing station, creating a constant demand for hot water throughout the day. A dependable hot water supply was essential to maintaining uninterrupted restaurant operations.
The Solution
Having experienced inconsistent hot water performance at other restaurant locations, owner Carey Bringle wanted to ensure the new facility was equipped with a reliable commercial water heating solution. Working with A. O. Smith representative and installing contractor Larry Summers, the team evaluated the restaurant’s daily usage requirements, peak dining demands, and available installation space.
Because kitchen space was limited, a single-unit solution was preferred. The A. O. Smith Cyclone™ FLEX™commercial water heater was selected for its ability to deliver dependable hot water, high efficiency, and installation flexibility. As the newest addition to the industry’s most specified family of high-efficiency commercial water heaters, Cyclone™ FLEX™ offers ENERGY STAR® qualified performance with up to 98% thermal efficiency, helping reduce energy consumption and operating costs.
The Results
The Cyclone™ FLEX™ has provided the reliable hot water performance needed to support daily kitchen operations, even during busy service periods.
By combining high-efficiency operation with dependable performance, the Cyclone™ FLEX™ helps ensure Bringle’s Smoking Oasis has the hot water capacity needed to support both its kitchen operations and guest experience.
“We wanted something that had the ability to keep up with the restaurant’s high demand for hot water—and the Cyclone™ FLEX™ has done a great job,” says Bringle. “The unit delivers great efficiency and provides continuous hot water. It has worked like a charm.”
