6 Common Questions About Wine Refrigerators

Do you like gathering friends and enjoying casual evenings drinking wine? The pandemic has turned that into a trend. Many people gather in homes and apartments instead of heading to bars and restaurants. 

As a result, your wine collection started growing. You might not be an expert, but you know the basics. And that includes not storing this drink in a standard refrigerator. But what about the best solution to keep it? This guide helps you learn more about a wine cooler fridge. Here’s what you should know about the products designed to store this liquid!

What to Know About Wine Refrigerators?

How would you answer if anyone asks – what is a wine cooler? The interesting thing is that two answers would be correct, especially in the USA. According to the Collins Dictionary, this cooler is a beverage and refrigerator. Americans use this name for a wine-based beverage. They combine this drink with fruit juice and carbonated or flavored water and call it a “cooler.”

However, it’s more common to use this term for a place where you store wine. The term cooler could refer to a vessel like a bucket. But the most frequent use is to describe a refrigerator specially designed for this drink. These storage units maintain optimal temperatures for wine. If you love this alcoholic beverage and want to store it properly, you need this fridge. Before you pick a unit, here are the most common questions about these products!

1. Where Can You Place Wine Coolers?

The biggest advantage of wine fridges is that you can place them almost anywhere. The only thing to secure is a power source. You can pick between two basic refrigerator types when it comes to positioning. The choice comes down to built-in or freestanding cooling systems.

You can integrate the fridge into your cabinetry. It’s possible to place it under the kitchen counter. That’s convenient if you ordered a custom design and predicted a cooling system. The integration implies you are using a built-in wine fridge. It’s a huge space saver but comes with certain placement restrictions.

Where to Put a Freestanding Wine Cooler?

You can place this fridge anywhere. It doesn’t matter if it’s the kitchen, living room, or even a closed patio. For starters, consider the power socket position. You don’t want the cable to go through the middle of the living room. 

How would the fridge fit into the décor? Does it stand out from other items nearby? Apart from aesthetic requirements, noise levels could be a relevant factor. If your fridge is loud, the kitchen would be a better position for it. You don’t want it buzzing in the living room 24/7.

2. How Many Zones Should Wine Coolers Have?

These refrigerators are unique because they do a great job at keeping the desired temperature. It all began with a single zone throughout the entire storage space. However, users had the need for multiple sections since heat levels depend on the wine.

The manufacturers responded by splitting the cooling system into two sections. It honored the idea of keeping white and red types in different compartments. That’s how we got a dual zone wine cooler. 

Once you open the fridge, you notice two sections and dividers. You don’t see that each has different control options. It’s possible to set one temperature in the upper and another heat level in the bottom compartment.

What Are the Optimal Temperatures for Storing Wine?

It’s not an exaggeration to say cooling and storing this alcoholic beverage is science. The conditions depend on the wine, and it’s wise to talk to an expert. Here are the general storage guidelines:

A single-zone fridge can only hold one type. But if you need an all-around solution, going with two independent compartments is better. It ensures you always have wine at optimal temperatures. That guarantees you’ll always be ready to consume this drink, including when you have sudden visits.

3. How Much Do Wine Coolers Cost?

Price ranges are incredibly different, and they go from $100 to $5K or more. You might get a solution in your local store for little money. But the problem with those wine fridges is that they are unreliable. It’s not about having a brand, but how the product works. They are basically regular refrigerators with bottle racks.

If you want a decent wine fridge, be ready to invest at least $300. Most entry-range units are around $500-$700. These are usually single-zone coolers that can hold up to 20 bottles.

The average price of a wine fridge ranges from $1K to $2K. For that money, you can secure a decent drink cooling system. Depending on the product, you can fit dozens of bottles. You could even find combo fridges for wine, beer cans, and other drinks.

Commercial alcohol cooling systems can cost up to $5K or more. The same applies to high-end wine refrigerators. These offer oversized storage, advanced features, or a unique appearance. The commercial license indicates the fridge is more durable and can handle frequent opening.

4. Is it Better to Use Compressor-based or Thermoelectric Wine Coolers?

It’s time to discuss the cooling technology that these refrigerators use. You can pick between two options – compressor and thermoelectric. The former uses a refrigerant as a cooler, and it’s a more efficient version. You can use it in rooms with higher ambient temperatures. It will perform well even if you put it outside on hot days. Furthermore, compressor-based cooling is the way standard refrigerators work. Most users go with these coolers for white wine since it requires lower temperatures.

The alternative is to use a thermoelectric fridge. These units have ceramic tile with current as a cooling node. As the electricity passes, it drops the temperature on the part turned toward the fridge’s inner space. Most manufacturers add a fan. Its task is to distribute the coolness throughout the interior storage space.

Thermoelectric fridges are quiet and come with minimal vibrations. That makes them suitable for living rooms. Their energy efficiency is better because they use less power. The problem is that the other side of the tile gets hot. Therefore, you’ll need to secure clearance space. 

Additionally, the results are nowhere near as impressive as in compressor-based coolers. The takeaway is that thermoelectric fridges are fine for casual wine enthusiasts. But if you want commercial use or serious results, you’ll need a compressor cooling system.

5. A Guide to Cleaning Wine Coolers

Maintenance shouldn’t be demanding unless you break a bottle or spill the drink. Once the time comes for cleaning, here are the steps to follow:

1. Remove the power plug. Take it out of the socket, but also the unit (if possible). It’s wise to give it a minute or two after unplugging. Double-check everything since it’s a huge hazard to clean the wine fridge while it’s active.

2. Take out trays and shelves is possible. Some units allow removing the racks. If that’s not possible, you can clean them while mounted. Warm water and a mild detergent combo is the optimal solution. If you have wooden racks, you’ll need a specialized cleaner.

3. Clean the unit’s interior. If you don’t have persistent stains, warm water is enough. For tough spots, add baking soda to a bowl. Mix it with some water and use that solution.

4. Move to the exterior. Finally, use a mild detergent or warm water for the exterior. Use a soft cloth to dry wet parts.

6. What’s the Ideal Wine Fridge Size?

Pick the size that fits your needs. You should consider how big the unit is, but also the capacity. Begin by checking the dimensions and comparing them to the desired location. It ensures the measurements will fit without causing issues.

As for capacity, it varies significantly. Compact wine fridges can’t fit more than 20 bottles. But if you go with large coolers for commercial use, they can accommodate 150 or more. If you don’t need a large capacity, don’t overspend money for no reason.

Apart from the maximum bottle number to place in the fridge, consider the cooler’s layout. Some units are tall and narrow, while others are shorter and wider. Shelf and rack placement could be different. Some wine fridges have wooden racks, while others are of stainless steel and similar metals. Finally, don’t forget about the bottles you’ll put in the cooler. The standard wine size is 750ml, but some manufacturers also offer 1L or bigger. If you own a commercial facility, you might even need to accommodate small bottles. 

Final Thoughts

That covers the basic questions regarding wine fridges. You should have relevant information to help you find the most suitable unit. The best place to buy a wine enthusiast's wine cooler is online. Numerous brands and types are available, so identifying the perfect system should be simple. You can choose between dual-zone wine fridges with large capacity or compact units designed for casual fans of this drink. Consider your requirements, and it’ll be easy to find and order the ideal cooling system today!