Wine chillers - what brands are we using that we're happy with?

April 20, 2020, 08:51 PM

ARMT Guy

My wife and I will be closing on our new home toward the end of next month.

Something that came up in discussion this evening was procuring a wine cooler to keep in the kitchen. Twelve-ish, ( plus or minus a couple ) bottle capacity along with the ability to hold larger 1.5L bottles.

It would most likely be placed on the floor, so something taller would be best. We're trying to maximize counter space in the kitchen, so we do not want a counter top model.

What brand/s, models, key features, etc, should we be looking at primarily? Any other considerations?

What are you using? How long? Happy with it?

Thanks!

April 20, 2020, 10:30 PM

jimmy123x

U-lines are pretty good.

April 20, 2020, 10:31 PM

heavyd

We just got an off brand at Home Depot. I couldn’t find any good reviews on any of them. Home Depot’s seemed about the same as the others.

It sounds like the compressors crap out on all of them within a few years.

April 21, 2020, 07:43 AM

joel9507

Put in a 15" wide, counter height Sub-Zero 5 years ago and love it. Two temperature zones (white wine/red wine). The model I have doesn't fit 1.5 liter bottles but they probably make a model that would.

Also, you're probably already aware of this, but 'chilling' is not something these do. They have temperature controls but, as wine storage is generally done at cool-but-not-refrigerator-cold temps, wine storage appliances don't go that low - my Sub-Zero's temperature range is 45-55 degrees. If you have wine that you would want chilled to icebox-cold, you would want to get a under-counter refrigerator vs. a wine storage device. That would have the advantage of being probably less expensive and possibly useful for non-wine items as well.

April 21, 2020, 08:31 AM

BigSwede

We have had this one for about four years, it does it's job well, no problems

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Frigi...ine-Chiller/50160179

April 21, 2020, 09:03 AM

oddball

After using the less expensive ones (Avanti) for a number of years, we splurged and bought a GE Monogram model, capacity is 56 bottles. Will not hold 1/5 liters, but we don't really buy those anyways. It still works great, after 12 years. I'm on my second Avanti cooler for my cigars, the first one broke after 5 years.

_{"I’m not going to read Time Magazine, I’m not going to read Newsweek, I’m not going to read any of these magazines; I mean, because they have too much to lose by printing the truth"- Bob Dylan, 1965}

April 21, 2020, 09:24 AM

Georgeair

We’ve had one of those cheap-ish Danby models for 9 years now. Holds about 35-40 bottles.

We’ve probably been lucky- I blame this thread if it craps out tomorrow.

April 21, 2020, 09:46 AM

1gkek

quote:
Originally posted by BigSwede:
We have had this one for about four years, it does it's job well, no problems

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Frigi...ine-Chiller/50160179

Bought the same one over Christmas and it's doing just fine.

April 21, 2020, 09:56 AM

arfmel

I just keep our bottle of Diamond Shamrock’s finest White Zinfandel in the fridgidaire.

April 23, 2020, 08:46 AM

ARMT Guy

quote:
Originally posted by joel9507:
Put in a 15" wide, counter height Sub-Zero 5 years ago and love it. Two temperature zones (white wine/red wine). The model I have doesn't fit 1.5 liter bottles but they probably make a model that would.

Also, you're probably already aware of this, but 'chilling' is not something these do. They have temperature controls but, as wine storage is generally done at cool-but-not-refrigerator-cold temps, wine storage appliances don't go that low - my Sub-Zero's temperature range is 45-55 degrees. If you have wine that you would want chilled to icebox-cold, you would want to get a under-counter refrigerator vs. a wine storage device. That would have the advantage of being probably less expensive and possibly useful for non-wine items as well.

We'll probably go with the mini-fridge option.

It tends to get a little on the warm side down here so something that'll free up space in the main fridge and cools the wine down more looks like the way to go.

April 23, 2020, 09:26 AM

astraightshooter

I purchased a pair of Eurocave units nearly twenty years ago, and only had one repair (covered under a 5yr warranty). The units I purchased are big, holding almost 300 bottles each. They easily hold the 1.5 liter magnums. They manage temperature and humidity, based on a digital setting.
They were NOT cheap, but they are super quiet, and efficient. Eurocave also makes under the counter models too.