What to Look for in a Wine Refrigerator

If you love to relish different kinds for wines, I am sure, you would be interested in storing them as well. People store wines for regular consumption and as collectibles. If you want to store wine at home, you will require a wine refrigerator. It is a good way of storing wines for people who cannot afford to have a wine cellar at home. Refrigerators are compact and require less space. They can be easily accommodated in the house to fulfill your wish of storing wines. Before making an investment, you should know what to look for in a wine refrigerator so that, you pick the most suitable one for yourself. Here are a few pointers that will guide you in buying a wine storage appliance.

Features to Look for in a Wine Refrigerator

Storage Capacity
The most essential point to consider before buying a wine fridge is the storage capacity. Depending on your need, decide on the capacity of storage. If you drink wine occasionally, a single or double wine chiller will be sufficient. If there is a space constraint, you can go for a 6-bottle or 12-bottle refrigerator. The basic size of a refrigerator is 50-100 bottles. It is said that, you should buy a fridge with twice the capacity of storage you think, you will need. This will provide the extra storage space you might require, in case your wine collection grows over time.

Temperature Range
Temperature is one of the important points to consider for wine storage. Optimum temperature for storing red wine is 50-55 ºF. White wine can be stored at temperatures around 45 ºF. The temperature difference for different kinds of wines calls for a sufficient temperature range in the refrigerator. So, make sure the fridge has a wide temperature range of 45-65 ºF.

Temperature Control Option
A temperature control option helps in adjusting the temperature depending on the wine to be stored. Opt for a digital control system instead of a mechanical control, as it is more accurate in controlling temperature within the fridge.

Humidity Control
Controlling humidity is another important aspect in wine storage. Low humidity will dry out the cork and create space for air to enter the bottle. High humidity results in mold growth on the cork which is again not required. Therefore, maintaining humidity becomes very essential, and this can be achieved by adjusting the humidity through humidity control in the refrigerator. Typically, wine storage requires a humidity level of 50-75% for proper aging.

Defrost Option
Frost tends to build up within the refrigerator due to continuous cooling. Prefer a storage device with automatic defrost option to aid in defrosting the layers of ice accumulated in it. Advanced refrigerators have energy-saving defrost systems, however, such refrigerators are expensive.

Shelving System
Look for shelves that can be rolled out for easy removal of bottles from the rack. Also, decide on the kind of racking system you would prefer. Three types of racking systems are available for wine storage. Chrome wire racks are the most common ones, however, they tend to bend after some time and leave scratches on wine bottles. Wooden racks are good, but leave less space of storage of bottles specially the wide ones. Metal racks are also available, but having them in your refrigerator will call for extra expenditure.

Insulation
A wine fridge should have a proper insulating system to prevent warm air from entering. The material used for door construction must be considered because doors provide the required insulation. Glass doors allow you to see through, but their insulating capacity is less than wooden doors which do not provide the see-through option. A glass door tinted to prevent UV rays from causing harm to the wines is a good option to look out for.

Style
Some manufacturers offer customization of refrigerators to match your decor. If you want to place the fridge in your kitchen or bar area, you can always get it custom-made to add to the beauty of your private space.

Door Lock
This is required in case you have kids at home and do not want them to fiddle with your favorite wine bottles. The door locking system should also be considered in case, you are buying the refrigerator for commercial purpose.

"Black Out" Feature
This additional feature is available in some refrigerators by which the lighting and display of the fridge can be shut down during religious occasions and ceremonies.

Price
Last but not the least, price is the prime concern in any buying process. Decide on the budget and stick to it. Also remember that paying a little more for an additional feature can help you out in the long run. So take your decision wisely.

Make sure to check these features before buying a wine refrigerator. Roughly, a small refrigerator will cost you around $100-300. A medium-sized one can be brought between $300-600, while a large one can cost you between $1000-2000. A proper selection of required features will help you in selecting the best refrigerator for your favorite wines.