Wine Refrigerator Types

• Freestanding Wine Refrigerator
• Built-In Wine Refrigerator
• Single Zone Refrigerators
• Dual Zone Refrigerators

Wine Refrigerator Types

Freestanding Wine Refrigerators:

Freestanding refrigerators are great for any floor space or area. All models feature either a single or dual temperature control zone. Other common attributes are a safety lock and auto defrost, although these are not available on all wine refrigerators. It’s not recommended to use freestanding coolers in a built-in enclosure area since these units don’t have a front vent to release the heat. The subsequent overheating will noticeably decrease the refrigerators ability to maintain its internal temperature and cool your wine, shortening the refrigerators overall lifespan as the compressor is continually overworked. The only way you can place the unit under your countertop, is if you allow sufficient space around the unit for the heat produced during operation to properly dissipate. We strongly suggest leaving a gap of 2 to 4 inches on each side of the cooler as well as on top and in the back to create the needed airflow around the unit. Place your refrigerator away from direct sunlight or any heat-producing sources, as this will force the refrigerator to work even harder, making it less likely to cool your wine properly.

The Most Common Freestanding Refrigerators are:

Freestanding on the floor:

These wine coolers can stand in any interior space around your home near an electrical outlet. They come in different sizes and in single or multiple temperature control zones.

Countertop Wine Refrigerators:

Countertop wine refrigerators are great for those who don't have the floor space or an area under their countertop for a wine refrigerator. Some can store multiple bottles.

Countertop Wine Chillers:

Wine chillers can chill a bottle in as fast as 5 minutes. They can sit on a table during dinner for easy access without being in the way, and moved back to the counter for storage afterward. Some models even come with a 12 Volt cigarette lighter plug if camping or tailgating.

Built-In Wine Refrigerators:

Built-in wine refrigerators are a good replacement for outdated trash compactors or any other older undercounter appliance in a kitchen or wet bar, making it perfect if you want to free up some floor space. Units include a front vent to dissipate compressor heat during operation; they also come in a variety of colors and sizes to fit anything from 15 to over 150 bottles. Its stainless steel or wood trim and doors add an elegant look to any space around the house. Always position your refrigerator away from direct sunlight or any heat-producing sources, like a dishwasher, as this will force units to work harder to keep cool. Placement near an appliance that may cause vibration such a trash compactor is also detrimental to sediments.

Single Zone Refrigerators

A single zone wine refrigerator refers to a unit with only one thermostat control, the temperature control knob is often located on the back of the refrigerator. You may store both red and white wines together in a single zone unit if separate zones are unavailable. By placing your red wines in the top shelves of the unit you will be storing them in the warmest section of the cooler. There is usually only a 5 to 8 degree temperature difference between the top and bottom of a single zone wine refrigerator. Ultimately, your red wines will be too cold or your whites too warm depending on how you choose to set the master thermostat of the unit.

Dual or Triple Zone Refrigerators

A multiple zone wine refrigerator refers to units with 2 or more thermostat controls. Most coolers come with digital controls to adjust the different temperatures. The best way to accommodate both red and white wines within the same unit is to purchase a dual or triple zone wine cooler. Typically, white wines should be stored in the temperature range of 50ºF to 62ºF and red wines will be stored between 58ºF to 68ºF. A multiple zone cooler will allow you to maintain distinct and separate temperature zones within the same cooler. Many times these units will offer a larger storage capacity for one style of wine over the other so be sure to purchase the unit that best suits your individual drinking preference. For triple zone coolers, you can keep your ready-to-serve whites and reds at their appropriate temperatures and in the middle zone keep wines that are still aging at their correct temperature (50-60º F).