A Comprehensive Guide On How To Install A Wine Cooler Under A Counterpart
The importance of wine coolers in the lives of wine lovers can not be explained with words. It acts as a complete upgrade in your room, without actually changing the patterns of your home. You don’t even have to worry about how you will save your Chardonnay or Rioja for another day!
It’s also not that expensive and is known as the mini version of a wine cellar. Basically, small wine fridges can store up to 20 bottles, but larger under-counter wine coolers can take about 116 bottles. Whereas you can keep your wines of an infinite amount if stored in wine cellars.
Speaking of wine cellars, don’t you want to create your wine assortment and keep it at a proper temperature, without much hassle? You can though, but is it regarding the installation you are worried about? Well, fear not. In this article, you’ll find the step-by-step method on how to install a wine cooler undercounter.
3 Step to install a wine cooler undercounter
1. Choosing the correct wine refrigerator
To install a wine cooler under a countertop, you must find a model that can be used as a built-in. Find out what kind of refrigerator would end up as a profit for you. Countertop or regular?
Are you going to need single or dual-zone coolers? How much space does it consist of? How much space will it take up in your abode? It’s indispensable to ask yourself these queries. Not selecting the perfect one will result in limited or restricted options and a mere waste of cash.
And so, take out your measuring tape, and start planning on whether you will fit a wine fridge underneath your counter or place it entirely beside the essential furniture. But here, we’re going to provide a detailed report of all steps on how to install a wine cooler undercounter.
2. Selecting a practical location for your cooler
Many people store their wine in the kitchen. You probably have a kitchen island to extend or a cabinet that isn’t used much. Since wine coolers don’t require a water source, you can set it up anywhere in the house. Saying so, you might have additional placement options besides what is in front of you.
If you feel like the heart of your house resides in the lounge, then it’s best to place your wine cooler there. Dining rooms would conjointly work since that’s where you naturally relish your food. You can have your favorite wines just beside your hand by setting the cooler at a place that works as a serving area. But if you have a simple wine rack, then you wouldn’t need to bother with finding a location for your cooler. You may replace it with a beverage fridge.
In compact abodes, customers usually place the fridge in the area under the stairs. You can even add a wine cooler underneath the end of an existing counter and design your new counter by extending over the cooler. However, you have to confirm you’re placing your cooler in a place wherever these three factors co-operate with you:
- Ventilation
A cooling unit cannot work properly if it doesn’t have the right amount of space around the cooler. This can lead to suffocation and end up heating the fridge. It may ruin the wine too. Hence, try leaving at least 3 inches (7.62 cm) on either side to ensure proper ventilation.
- Temperature
It’s not wise to place your fridge beside your oven, stove, or any such kitchen appliances that releases heat. This may also warm the cooler and ruin the compressor. Even keeping it next to the essential dishwasher would do the cooler work overtime. And so, make sure you keep it at a location where the temperature is stable.
- Light
Ultraviolet rays are harmful to wine. Therefore, it’s advised to settle a fridge with glass doors to act as a shield against your wine collection from the ultraviolet lights.
3. Finding a power supply
Before installing it in the kitchen or dining room, ensure that your power supply is totally safe and can withstand larger voltage units. However, if you don’t have an electric outlet close to the place you’re going to fit it in, then you may have to call an electrician and have a new one installed.
Make sure the outlet incorporates ground protection for safety. It’s required to keep the cord in a place where it would be out of the way and would not get moved. Also, drilling a hole at the rear of the cabinet you’re going to store in the cooler can be useful to keep the cord in place. Be safe; people!
- Required materials
This is going to be a hell of a messy but quick DIY project (well, of course, it’s a DIY if you’re going to set up the cooler all on your own). As I said, this article is about how to install a wine cooler undercounter. A head-start would be nice right now. Have you debated on where you’re going to store the vino fridge yet? Great!
Grab your measuring tape, level, screwdriver, and the manual provided with the unit to understand the instructions on how to set it up. The manual may additionally contain information on ventilation and such, so make sure you go through all the details laid out.
You may also need some scrap wood to use as shims if the ground surface is kind of uneven. But again, some intelligent models come with adjustable feet just so you can deal with these level variations at ease. Likewise, keep a sheet of plastic or a tray to lay it on the surface if the installation space area is carpeted.
- Installation
Once you sort out all the requirements, level it up and let it stand idle for a minimum of 2-3 hours without plugging it in. Doing so, the coolant takes time to settle after transport. Later on, go ahead, plug it in a power source, begin storing your wine, adjust the settings to your liking and luxuriate in your chilled wine.
Frequently asked questions
Freestanding fridges are stand-alone units. Built-in beverage fridges (commonly called under-counter wine coolers) are fitted into existing counters or cabinets. They include a ventilation source at the front, which drives heat forward and aloof from the unit.
Which one’s better, you ask? Depends! Freestanding ones are great if you intend to place your cooler in your kitchen, beside the regular refrigerator or so. But, under-counter fridges would be best for you if you want to put your cooler underneath a countertop.
If your residence isn’t that cold even by using more than one cooling unit, thermoelectric wine coolers will be the right choice. But, for warmer abodes, you’ll be tempted to buy a compressor-based cooler.
This one depends as well. Single-zone coolers have only one temperature setting, which keeps the temperature normal throughout the whole cooler. At the same time, dual-zone wine coolers have two temperature controls and have separate storage sections with different temperature settings.
Single coolers are an excellent choice if you store only a kind of wine, either reds or whites. But dual-zone coolers would benefit more if you intend on storing different wines at different temperatures. Get it yet?
Ageing wine tastes better than newly made ones. That is why many tend to store their wines in a cellar for months so that they can replenish their drinks without the wine giving off a bitter taste.
To experience this for yourself, follow the basic rules to preserve your wine for more extended periods. Like, use coolers with a UV-tinted glass to reduce the quantity of ultraviolet lights hitting the glass surface, store it in a dark place, humidity must be kept at 50%, etc.
Unplug the power cord and remove all the items from the cooler. Using a mild cleanser, rub the inside surfaces. You could use a solution of warm water and baking soda. Clean the racks/trays with a damp cloth. Let it dry outside, and then place it back in the freezer.
Overview
Wine coolers aren’t that much in demand nowadays since people are lurking around to find ways to store their wine in regular refrigerators. It’s imperative to keep them in a separate wine cooler since they’re the most potent way of storing wine at a suitable temperature.
It’s also affordable and beneficial equipment for wine lovers. The installation and the constant need to adjust the temperatures may be a bit of a bother but wouldn’t you want to take care of your precious drinks?
