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Do you want to improve your wine collection but don’t know how to store and chill your wine? It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on wine – there is no need to ruin it just because you don’t have a proper way of storing it. In this article, we will tell you about the things you should consider when you are buying a wine cooler.
| Image | Name | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Wine Enthusiast 32-Bottle Dual Zone MAX Compressor Wine Cooler | 9.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator w/Lock | 9.5 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Koolatron WC20 Thermoelectric Wine Cooler | 9.1 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | NewAir Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator | 8.8 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | EdgeStar CWF380DZ 38 Bottle Wine Cooler | 8.6 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Kalamera 4.2 Cu.ft 50 Bottle Compressor Wine Refrigerator | 8.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Allavino VSWR56-1BWRN Wine Refrigerator | 8 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Avanti Freestanding Single Zone Kitchen Wine Chiller | 7.7 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | N'FINITY PRO HDX by Wine Enthusiast Wine & Beverage Center | 7.4 | Check Price on Amazon |
 | Danby DWC036A1BSSDB-6 Free Standing Wine Cooler | 7.2 | Check Price on Amazon |
Last update on 21st March 2023 / Affiliate Links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Why You Need a Wine Cooler?
These small refrigerators are used to keep your wine at a specific temperature. Wine coolers can make a huge difference in the quality of your wine collection. Here are a few reasons why you should invest in one:
- You can save money – It is a lot cheaper to buy a good wine and keep it at the right temperature rather than buying bad wine. My experience tells me that most wines I bought were wasted because they were exposed to the wrong temperature during storage .
- Keep your wines at the right temperature – People often complain about their wine tasting dull or less vibrant than it should taste. This is because they stored it in an environment that wasn’t quite right for its development. You don’t have to worry about this if you have a wine cooler.
- Improve your collection – Having the right temperature will help you save money, but it also helps improve your wine collection. You can store different types of wines at different temperatures so that they develop better. You can even age certain wines in special conditions to make them taste better.
What Multiple Temperature Zones Are Used For?
The main purpose of buying a wine cooler with multiple temperature zones is to improve your wine collection. You could buy good red wine and keep it at 55 degrees Fahrenheit, but you could keep a white or rosé in temperature-controlled chambers that are set apart from the main wine storage. This way you can store and drink different wines at their ideal temperatures.
Single-Temperature Zone Wine Coolers vs. Temperature-Controlled Wine Cellars
Many people assume that a small home wine cooler is suitable enough to keep their wines at the right temperature, but this isn’t true. Even though single zone wine coolers do an excellent job of maintaining the temperature, they don’t allow you to control it and can’t be used for aging wine.
It is always better to invest in a temperature-controlled wine cellar because you can keep your wines at the right temperature and develop a better-tasting palate. The temperature we are talking about here differs from red and white wines.
Most single-zone wine coolers have a temperature range of about 40 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This is pretty close to the ideal temperature.
In the case of a two-zone wine cooler, you have the freedom to choose the temperatures that work for you. Most two-zone wine coolers can be set to a lower temperature range from 40 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit and a higher range from 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit.
If your budget is tight or if you don’t want to spend a lot on your wine cooler, two-zone wine coolers are the way to go. You will get basic functionality at a very reasonable price.
Thermoelectric VS Compressor-based wine coolers
Thermoelectric wine coolers are popular for their energy-efficient nature. They run on electricity and do the cooling using a thermoelectric module. Thermoelectric modules are solid-state devices that produce cold out of the electric current.
The fluctuations in thermoelectric wine coolers are not as drastic as those of compressor-based wine coolers. With compressor-based coolers, when you open the door and put your hand inside, it will feel cold. But as soon as the compressor shuts down, the temperature starts rising again and goes up to room temperature in a short span of time. Plus you have to deal with the buzzing sound when the compressor starts and stops.
Where Can You Place the Wine Cooler?
- Built-in wine coolers can be part of your kitchen or dining room décor and they look like a cabinet with a glass door. The good thing about these types of wine coolers is that it has much more storage space than tabletop wine coolers. The downside is that you will need to have more space available for the cooler.
- A tabletop/countertop wine cooler is a great option if you don’t have much room as it doesn’t take much space and can be moved around easily. The only problem with these types of coolers is that they aren’t as spacious.
- Freestanding wine coolers are the most popular types of wine coolers. These wine coolers are generally large enough to hold your collection, just make sure that they have the desired capacity before buying one.
What To Look For?
Now that you know what a wine cooler is and why you need it, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of choosing one.
- Price – As more features are added, the prices of these little appliances tend to go higher. Make sure that the price you are paying is worth it. You should also look for coolers that are energy efficient so that they don’t cost too much on your electricity bills.
- Size – You need to make sure that the wine cooler you choose fits well in your living area without hampering its functionality. If you don’t have enough space, then either look for a smaller cooler or look into other options like under-counter wine storage .
- Capacity – You should also consider how much wine you will be stored in the cooler. Some coolers have a larger capacity and some are best suited for smaller collections.
- Display – If you want to keep track of the temperature inside the cooler, then look for models featuring digital displays. They help you see at a single glance whether the wine is at the right temperature or not.
- Interior – Look for a sleek design that complements your living area instead of something that sticks out like a sore thumb.
- Additional features – If you want to spend a little more, then you can look for coolers that come with additional features. Some of the most common features include drawers and racks, lighting, lock systems and even a touchscreen panel.
- Warranty – As with any appliance, you need to consider the warranty that comes with it. If anything goes wrong, then you should have enough time to get it fixed or replaced.
- Energy type – Different coolers use different types of energy. You should look for a cooler that runs on the energy source you have access to. This is especially important if you happen to live in part of the country where electricity isn’t reliable all year round.
Tips On Using A Wine Cooler
- Keep a thermometer – You should always make sure that you measure the temperature inside your wine cooler with a good thermometer. A fluctuating temperature can affect your collection in ways that you cannot imagine.
- Cleaning – Just like any other appliance, you should clean your cooler regularly to keep it in good shape. I like to use a cloth, some dishwashing soap and warm water to wipe it down.
- Humidity – If there are certain wines that you want to age, then make sure that the humidity level inside the wine cooler is right for aging. You can also look at wine coolers with adjustable humidity levels to accommodate your collection. While most people don’t need this feature, it is a nice addition to have.
- Don’t open the door too often – You should not open your wine cooler door very often as that will affect the temperature inside. For the same reason, you shouldn’t use a wine cooler as a regular storage option for wines, this is not what it is meant for.
- Check the seals – If you are not sure if your door is closed properly then look at the seal around it. There shouldn’t be any gaps or cracks that let in air when closed.
- Alternative Collections – If you have a large collection, then getting one wine cooler isn’t going to cut it. You may need two or three of them depending on the size of your collection. Make sure that you get racks and drawers so that you can accommodate different types of wines inside the cooler. Some coolers have special racks for champagne bottles as well.
