Different types of wine coolers and how to install
them
Wine Coolers are a new relatively new luxury appliance to
have in the kitchen and the trend is increasing because of the design aspects
but also the functionality of them. The
ability to save space in the fridge freezer is a great draw to the wine lover
and of course, if the wine cooler is used for storage then they will keep your
wines in good condition.
We have drawn on the information provided by companies like
Elite Wine Refrigeration to give you a guide to the different types of wine
cooler available on the market as there are so many different variations
available – it can be quite overwhelming at times.
Built in Wine Coolers
Built
in wine coolers
are designed to fit into confined spaces such as
undercounter/ worktop, alcove or in bespoke cabinetry (often seen in full
height wine fridges). They come in a
range of sizes similar to cabinets: 150mm, 300mm, 400mm, 600mm.
Due to the installation method, these types of wine coolers
come with fans under the unit to ensure adequate ventilation is achieved by
introducing coo air and expel warm air through the front vent. The airway must
be kept clear through the vent, so the plinth must have a grille installed to
ensure the vent is not blocked.
Freestanding Wine Coolers
Freestanding wine fridges come in various sizes and are
often be placed in a dining room, living room or an office where there is
adequate space for ventilation. Freestanding units are often referred to as
built in units due to the fact they sit on the floor, however this isn’t the
correct terminology so make sure you are looking at the correct type of wine
cooler for the space you have.
Ventilation is a must for freestanding models as they do not
have front vents to assist with air flow around the unit and keeping the
compressor cool. You can find instructions in the manufacturer’s manual, which
is usually a minimum of 3 – 5 inch gap around the sides and the space to be
kept clear at the top.
Freestanding units are ideal for service temperatures with
units of a lower capacity of around 20-30 bottles or there are much bigger wine
cabinets designed for long term storage that are designed to mimic a wine cellar
– these are called ageing cabinets and have capacities of up to 300 Bordeaux
bottles or more.
Integrated wine coolers
Integrated units are designed to be installed in a housing
unit like an integrated oven or microwaves to create a seamless look. It can
often be mistaken as a ‘built in wine fridge’ due to the similarity of how it’s
installed. Integrated wine coolers create a real focal point from an eye level,
and is a great way of chilling your wine without taking up your normal fridge
space.
These units will slide neatly into a standard 600mm wide
tower unit that an integrated oven, double oven or microwave would and are
available in both single, dual and three temperature zones. Size wise, there is a size to suit all
budgets and capacities required – the most common sizes have an aperture of
455mm, 595mm, 885mm, 1234mm and 1780mm.
This type of unit does have specific installation
requirements as they do not have their own in-built ventilation system. This means there must be a grille installed in
the plinth and an open-air way at the back of the unit through to the top - to
ensure proper air circulation and warm air to be expelled for adequate
ventilation. You can always find installation drawings from the manufacturer
for the joiner to use as a reference, here is an example installation
diagram.
For this article, we partnered with Elite Wine Refrigeration
to bring
you an overview of the key points to look out for when purchasing a wine cooler
as the space you have available and the way you want to use your wine cooler –
will determine the best type of wine cooler for you.
