Wine Fridge

@klezman do you have any recommendations in the 40-60 bottle range?

Unfortunately the only space I have for it is in prominent location, so aesthetics are a consideration.

@Sekraan Honestly, I have no idea what the make/model is of mine. I personally find a glass door wine fridge to be of perfectly fine aesthetics. But most of the major brand ones would fit the bill. The biggest question for that size is whether it’s a compressor/air system or thermoelectric.

@klezman TEC is a fail for all but the smallest boxes that see only moderate ambient temps to begin with.

@rjquillin So considering I can easily see 5+ degree shifts, I should all but rule out TEC, especially in the 30-60 bottle range?

@grantunderland It’s not the ambient shifts so much with TEC, as delta from ambient hot. They can only cool below ambient so much. I’ll throw a dart at 30F to be conservative. If ambient gets to 90F, don’t expect reliable cooling to 50F.

I just saw it, new, on eBay. It was a LOT more than I paid for it at Lowe’s. Dang. I think it was $194, after taxes.

@jml326 Reviews on Amazon warn that it really only holds 24 bottles properly.

@Shrdlu agreed but it’s an option

@Shrdlu grab some woot cellar 375 bottles?

@Shrdlu especially if you have burgs or some pinot bottles that have a greater diameter than the average BdX.

Edit, MY thermostat was wrong. The fridge thermostat is accurate. +1 degree near the top and -1 degree at the bottom. It’s loud though. Not vibrating loud, but very much noticeable.

@rjquillin I was going to suggest 3x or 4x. Coming from you, I would have thought 100x.

@North316 I gave up long ago.

@North316 @rjquillin it’s like hard drive storage, anything you buy you will quickly fill!

@NightGhost almost all red, I’m fine throwing whites/bubbles in the regular fridge for immediate drinking.
Preferably under $250, but willing to invest in a good one and can maybe do $4-500 if it’s right

@grantunderland hah! Now that I’ve actually priced out some full-size, I see how inadequate that budget really is! I may just have to get two half-size and either find a way to safely stack or just do side by side

@grantunderland Well, you don’t need to spring extra for a dual-zone fridge. The poor man’s way to get a full-size is to get a cheap used fridge that will support wine storage temperature, and make your own shelving (pvc pipes work) and humidifying system.

@kasandrae funny how this thread came up right after I ordered the 166 bottle from Wayfair, lol. Are they watching me?! I could not quite afford those fancy ones like yours

@InFrom I have 2 Eurocave’s that I purchased used and have been very happy with. Both are extremely quiet and very little temp variation. Tenths of degree.
One of them is set up as bulk long term storage, supposed to hold 300 but really about 250 with bottle size variation, rarely get into it other than the occasional raid to replenish smaller coolers that are used for upcoming consumption.
The other is a 180 size but again bottle variation makes it more like 150 - 160. That is set up as strictly a Cab cellar.
I think the Eurocave brand is an excellent product, don’t know that I’d buy new due to pricing but I’m always on the lookout for used ones and check them out in my area when they come up for sale.

@rc70 thanks for your comments, they’re helpful.

@InFrom My Vinotheque is 440 bottles, and holds that number well…I sorta wish I had two like you do because it would be good/interesting to group wines like you’ve done!

@sammypedram I didn’t read carefully, so not sure what area you are at, and you don’t mention a size, but patience can usually net you a killer deal on craigslist. Several years ago I got an older Eurocave (I think, it may be a Vinotheque) 160 bottle fridge, which I fit 200+ in hah, for $300 on craigslist. Depending on the size and age, $1,200 seems a little high for a used unit, especially if it is a model they no longer make.

@North316 @sammypedram I ended up with a 288 Vinotheque off Craigslist for $60. Seller said the cooling unit failed and I figured for $60 it made a nice wooden rack. I took the cooling unit apart… Loose wire. Connected it and everything worked. Did some cleanup, new insulation and caulking, and the unit ran for 4 years with no problems. I still have it, but now in a basement so it never gets plugged in, still need the storage though!

@North316 @trifecta Thanks for the input and experience! I’m in central Virginia. Looking for a 150-200 bottle fridge.

@losthighwayz
How tall? Just be careful with the built in coolers, they need some venting on the back or top. In my experience I would not go cheap on a built in the kitchen they are part of the aesthetics and they are a pain to replace or repair.

@ScottW58 30 inches or so in height by 24 inches in width.

Yeah I was hoping to go cheap but realizing it may not be worth it in the long run. Dang it!

Looking at U Line, Eurocave and another WE brand but theyre all in the $2k range!

That being said, we are saving around $750 since we are installing the fridge instead of a cabinet

Need to decide by tomorrow for the 3D design and for the company to start building our cabinets

Decisions decisions

@losthighwayz also looking at vinotheque and Nfinity from WE. Anyone have experience with either?

@losthighwayz
That’s the same size of mine, I have a Viking but I got it to go with my stove/oven. It has been working very well for the last 15 years or so. Good luck!

@ScottW58 thanks just need to stop reading reviews and do it!