What is a Wine Chiller?
A wine chiller is a perfect home for a collection. It is an instrument that is colder to warmer temperatures than a food or beverage refrigerator—these wine chiller cool reds, whites, champagnes, and other bubbly wines.
What are the Benefits of Having a Wine Cooler?
The standard refrigerator is not suitable for wine collection.
Here are the benefits of having a wine chiller:
- A wine chiller creates the perfect environment for wine. Store the wine at its ideal temperature, humidity, and stability.
- The wine chiller is affordable and usually costs less than a cellar, a standard refrigerator.
- Or a showcase.
- Wine chiller is designed with a simple system that costs less to maintain. The individual parts required to fix a wine chiller motor are much cheaper than a standard refrigerator or wine cellar.
- With an extensive range of bottle sizes and capacities, both built-in and freestanding designs, the wine chiller easily fits in various spaces.
- A wine chiller can store other drinks safely without damaging them or damaging the wine.
Some of these drinks contain sparkling water, plain water, lemonade, and other non-alcoholic beverages. If the wine chiller maintains a warmer temperature than a standard refrigerator, it is not suitable to place perishable items inside.
Types of Wine Chillers
If you only choose one type of wine, red or white, then a single zone cooler would be perfect. If you have the same affection for red and white wines, then a dual-zone cooler will suit you, as you can set one zone at a lower temperature than the other. Besides, dual-zone coolers show the option of setting one zone at storage temperature and the other at service temperature. If you prioritize that you will uncork a bottle soon, you can move the wine from the storage area to the serving area for approximately 30 minutes to an hour.
Single Zone
If the chiller has a single zone, it means that it only has one storage space with no partition inside. A single temperature will keep the wines chill at the same level. The efficiency will depend on whether it is a thermoelectric or compressor system.
Pros and Cons
- It is perfect for those who establish a collection of wines with one type of wine.
- It’s considered the best for a single type of wine. If you try to store both reds and whites and the chiller wine has the white wines’ temperature, it will be too cold for red wine.
- It is excellent for maintaining a firm climate.
- The chiller can have the perfect temperature to store both wines if you set the temperature at 55 ° F. If the weather is above 55 ° F, difficulties may arise.
- It turns out to be cheaper than multi-zone refrigerators.
- You will prefer to acquire more than one chiller if you try to store different varieties (one for red, one for white, etc.).
Dual-Zone
If the chiller has a dual-zone, it means that the cooler has two independent storage spaces.
These wine chillers have a compartment in the middle that can be vertical or horizontal. Each zone maintains a separate temperature, specifically for white wine and red ones.
Pros and Cons
- It is ideal for those who have fun collecting various wines.
- The second compartment becomes useless if you only store one wine variety.
- Separate compartments keep different wines safely at their ideal temperatures.
- All wines can store at their ideal temperatures in different compartments, but keeping them at a constant temperature of 55 ° F can store both types of wine.
- They are cheaper than other options, such as acquiring a second winery.
- While cheaper than some options, it is still expensive and more power-consuming than single-zone units.
Basic Concepts of Wine Storage
Several factors to considering when selecting a wine chiller as a storage solution:
- Colder temperatures are the key, considering that they should not be too cold. Storing the wine anywhere above 70 ° F will allow the wine to age quickly, and if the temperature rises, it will likely cook the wine, causing it to lose its flavors and aromas. Contrarily, if the weather is freezing, the wine can freeze and force the liquid inside the bottle to generate ice particles and release the stopper. A preferable climate range is between 45 ° F and 65 ° F, with the “perfect” temperature being 55 ° F.
- The constant temperature is substantial. Temperature fluctuations are colossal trouble when it comes to storing wine.
- Light is the adversary of wine. Ultraviolet rays cause the wine to age prematurely.
- A light bulb will not age wine, but it can discolor wine labels if exposed for long periods.
- The humidity is relevant, but it is not necessary. Dry air will cause a wine bottle’s cork to dry out, allowing air to enter and ruin the wine.
How Does a Wine Chiller Work?
Wine chillers use thermoelectric or compressor technology. A compressor system operates gas to reduce the temperature. Thermoelectric chillers utilize a module that controls the fans.
How to Maintain and Clean a Wine Chiller?
- Before cleaning, you must turn off the chiller to avoid electric shock and remove the wine bottles.
- After cleaning, allow the chiller to “air out” before loading it with wine.
- Clean the water tray frequently.
- Be sure to clean the interior and exterior of the chiller with a damp cloth.
- You may need to replace the interior lights and cables over time.
- If you want to use a detergent, you should use a mild, non-toxic household solution.
- Check the exhaust frequently and make sure it is free of dust and debris.
- Handle the grates with care so as not to damage them.
- Clean up any spills inside the cooler immediately.
- Perform a deep cleaning of your wine chiller at least once or twice a year.
- Never use a flammable cleaning agent to clean; this could cause a fire.
- Use non-abrasive cleaners and cleaning agents.
Additional Difficulties
- Frost buildup can be helped by shutting down the unit and allowing the frost to vaporize.
- If it persists, you need to solve the drive problem.
- It is possible to turn the unit back on and see if connecting it solves the situation.