Last Updated on October 3, 2021 by Tom
You have collected a number of wines and are wondering where to put a freestanding wine cooler? If so, then this article is for you. It makes sense to put a wine cooler in a cabinet or in the kitchen, but did you know there are other equally good places for them?
A wine cellar usually comes to mind, but not everyone can afford it. Therefore, wine refrigerators are a cost-effective alternative.
It can be difficult to determine where to place your refrigerator, as there are special features and differences between a built-in wine cooler and a freestanding wine cooler. But don’t worry, we are here to help you find favorable places that suit your needs. In this article, we will walk you through the models, different rooms that you can store them, and extra tips on the buying and selection process.
Let’s jump right into it.
What Is A Built-In Wine Cooler?
A built-in wine cooler has a front ventilation design, which means that heat escapes from under the door, preventing your unit from getting hot. Due to its front vented feature, it is usually fitted into existing counters or under worktop counters, giving it a modern look and saving space.
The advantage of a built-in wine cooler is that it can be adjusted to the appropriate temperature for every type of wine. In addition, it is also used to store other foods and drinks such as fruits, chocolate, and cheese for a few days.
Since it can be built-in, the finished look might ruin your overall theme of furniture. It can be off if you have white cabinets and there is a black and steel machine placed in the middle, right? If you mind this, you can totally install a white door outside your wine cooler so everything can be consistent.
Other disadvantages are the cost of purchase and maintenance. They can cost up to $1,000 and because they are powerful in terms of energy, maintenance is required if they are used for a long period of time. Other than that, there is a lack of mobility as it is anchored in place, so don’t expect you can move them around whenever you want.
What Is A Freestanding Wine Refrigerator?
A freestanding wine cooler has side or rear vents, which means you have more places to set up your freestanding wine cooler. It’s easy to install and usually doesn’t require any professional help. That said, it also has a low maintenance price.
Another plus is that they tend to be cheaper but come in a variety of sizes and designs so you won’t spend as much as a built-in wine cooler. Freestanding is easy to maneuver if you decide to move to another house.
However, a disadvantage of a freestanding wine cooler is that while it can be moved, it is more likely to be exposed to micro-vibrations. As a result, where to put a freestanding wine cooler is an issue that needs to be carefully considered. Also, it can be bulky so finding a place for them can be tricky as you have to consider your space and furniture (more on this is below, so stay tuned).
Do I Need A Wine Fridge?
In order for a wine to retain its originality, it has to be stored at the right temperature, humidity, and vibration-free. Our daily refrigerators are designed to fluctuate the temperature and drive out humidity which affects the quality of your wine. Therefore, a specialized wine cooler will lower the temperature of its contents at a slower rate and maintain a level of humidity to keep the bottles fresh.
It’s really important to keep the humidity at a constant level, otherwise, a dry environment can shrink the corks, and allow outside air to get in. This will damage the wine, lose its original taste and aroma as well as accelerate the aging process. In addition, a wine fridge also has wine racks that hold your bottles in place.
With that being said, a wine fridge is absolutely essential if you care about your wine quality, want to display your contents, or host parties regularly. No one wants to purchase a promising bottle of wine and let it go to waste. And we bet you are too?
Where To Put A Freestanding Wine Cooler?
A freestanding wine cooler may take up additional floor space in your house, but in return, it can be placed anywhere you like with any sizes you prefer. Here are a few ideas for you to start with:
- Kitchen
We can’t deny that the kitchen is a great place to store a wine fridge because if you need a quick drink or for cooking, everything is at your fingertips. But, keep in mind the surrounding furniture that might damage your wine quality as well.
- Home Bar
If you are just starting out on the road to drinking and want to try a variety of wines, you should make room for it. Not necessarily a wine room: a small area and a properly sized fridge, you’re good to go. If you often have family and friends gatherings, this is also an ideal space for everyone to gather and enjoy the time.
- Basement
If you have a complete basement that is not affected by outside temperatures, it is a place well worth a try. Also, if you have a preference for letting your wine ferment longer, it can help you do that since nothing can disturb your wine (unless someone lives in the basement).
- Living Room
It would be odd if there was a refrigerator in the living room. But it’s where everyone in the family usually relaxes and has fun, so a wine cooler nearby would come in handy. You can install a few shelves around to store wine glasses, or you can use the freestanding unit as a decoration.
- Bedroom
Have you ever thought about keeping a wine fridge in your bedroom? It seems like a crazy idea but it helps if you tend to drink it every night. Make sure to place it away from air conditioners, fans, or other things that cause vibrations.
A room filled with sunlight and heat is a bad place because the refrigerator will have to work twice as hard, which increases energy bills. So your room should be relatively dark and cool throughout the day, then it won’t be a problem.
- Closed-In Porch
The porch is often exposed to extreme weather, but if you have an enclosed space you can totally leave it there. If it is connected to the garden or the barbecue area, then it is definitely a place not to be missed. After all, you will spend a lot of time grilling, eating, and drinking.
- Wine Cellar
A wine cellar is a good option if you have a large number of bottles of wine that need to be stored. It’s a dark, quiet room with the right temperature to control humidity. However, they cannot bring the wine to serving temperature on its own.
A separate wine fridge in the room would be a perfect match. You can both store your bottles for a longer period of time and transfer them to the wine fridge to get the right temperature before serving.
Where to put a freestanding wine cooler shouldn’t be an issue if you know your needs and choose the right wine fridge that can help you showcase your collection and keep your wine content in optimal condition. Be careful not to put your wine cooler next to the oven, dishwasher, kitchen blenders, or a typical refrigerator as they emit large vibrations and will disturb your resting wine.
Can I Put A Wine Cooler In A Cabinet?
A built-in wine cooler is fixed into one place, therefore it is sturdier, secure, and less vulnerable to vibrations. If you were to put your wine fridge near your kitchen appliances, we recommend you go with a built-in wine cooler. Those machines in your kitchen emit micro-vibrations which can affect your wine quality over an extended period.
A built-in wine cooler can be varied in size depending on the depth of the fixtures. A small wine fridge cabinet can be used to keep your favorite bottles or ones that you regularly use for cooking all in one place.
In contrast, a freestanding wine cooler has rear ventilation, so it can’t be built in cabinets as an enclosure does not allow heat to dissipate and eventually burn itself out. So make sure you are following specific clearance instructions to avoid unwanted accidents and keep your wine at its best quality.
Is The Garage The Best Place For My Wine Cooler?
In fact, the garage is not the ideal place to store wine for long periods of time as it is influenced by many external factors such as the vibrations from vehicles and the opening and closing of doors. Besides, it does not have the right temperature and sunlight from windows and doors will also affect the quality of the wine. But, you can choose the wine cabinet that is equipped with an anti-vibration function, however, very few brands have this feature.
It is best if you are intending to store wines for a short to medium period of time. Choose wines that are inexpensive and have a short shelf life because they are not designed to be stored for a long time.
If you are seriously investing in wines, treat it with all your heart. You can do this by dedicating a room for it or a spot that is less affected by natural light, vibrations, and outside temperature.
Is My Utility Room The Best Place For My Wine Cooler?
A utility room is often used to store kitchen appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, dishwashers, and washing machines. So there’s no reason why not to put the wine fridge there, right? But if you use the utility room, make sure none of the above devices are placed nearby as vibrations from these items can seriously damage your wine.
In general, one of its advantages is that it is easily accessible for everyone, as the kitchen can get busy at any time. Also, having regular parties can really save space in your kitchen.
Tips for Bringing Your Wine Cooler Home
- Study Your Space
You need to consider how much space you have available before purchasing. If you’re living in a small apartment, then a small fridge like Russell Hobbs table top wine fridge may suit your needs.
However, if you have more space, investing in a large wine cooler is a good idea even if you don’t have a lot of wine. Since a larger size only costs a little more than the small one but offers more space. You may check out Display4top Wine Fridge.
We recommend leaving a few inches between your unit and a wall or other appliances nearby for easy adjustment. Calculate the space for the required outlet as well as the opening door of the unit, in order to avoid undesirable problems.
Also, think about where you will most likely drink your wine. If you have a passion for cooking, leave it in the kitchen. If you like to watch TV, have snacks and drink wine at the same time, the bedroom or living room is a good idea.
- Compressor vs. Thermoelectric
Wine refrigerators usually fall under two categories: Compressor Cooling and Thermoelectric Cooling. A compressor has a much more powerful cooling capacity which is the reason why more space is required for ventilation. Most built-in models use a compressor as they can adapt to varying environmental conditions, whether it’s in the kitchen, a garage, in summer or winter, while keeping the inside temperature securely.
However, the disadvantage of a compressor is that it gives off some noise, almost the same as a normal refrigerator. It also has many moving parts which cycle on and off which causes a vibration that stirs the sediment in your wine and releases a bitter flavor.
On the other hand, while thermoelectric cooling capacity is fairly limited, it does not vibrate so your wine content won’t be ruined. It is less expensive to purchase, available in small sizes, and noise-free. If you only need to hold a few bottles of wine and you like freestanding units, then this is the choice for you.
In contrast, the weakness of a thermoelectric cooler is that it is highly affected by ambient temperatures so it may fluctuate the internal temperature. It operates constantly meaning there are more bills that you need to pay and replacement of components may be needed if used in a long term.
- Single Zone vs. Dual Zone
The difference between a single-zone and a dual-zone is as exactly as their name suggests. With a single zone, the entire unit maintains the same temperature. This is integrated into freestanding or built-in and is best if you want to preserve one type of wine.
Contrarily, a dual-zone unit has divided sections and each has a separate temperature that can be adjusted on its own. You may consider this if you have several types of wines that need distinct temperatures. Again, you can purchase a single-zone or a dual-zone unit based on your drinking preference.
Conclusion
It doesn’t matter where to put a freestanding wine cooler, as long as it’s safe and matches your current and future requirements. Before doing anything, thorough planning and research of the wines you own, the types of models available, as well as the space you have, is very important. We hope this article has clarified your queries and has provided some tips that you can use for your purchasing decision.
Always remember, vibration plays a huge role in helping you choose the right models and put them in the right place.
