Recently, in addition to conventional types of home appliances have gained popularity and specialized options. Such devices include a wine fridge – a compact unit imitating the conditions of wine cellars, which allows you to fully enjoy the taste and aroma of a noble drink.

Have you thought about buying a wine refrigerator from this list of the top under counter refrigerators, but had difficulties in choosing the right equipment? In order not to be disappointed in the purchase, it is necessary to determine in advance the main parameters of the refrigerator, assess the features of different types of equipment. Our article is devoted to the solution of these issues.

We have described in detail the variety of wine cabinets on the market and outlined the main criteria for their selection. Besides, we gave an overview of the best manufacturers of refrigeration units and prepared a rating of the most popular models of specialized refrigerators.

Designation and use of wine cabinets

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Refrigerators of this type simultaneously perform a number of functions necessary for correct storage of bottles. Above all, they are used to cool drinks.

The mode of operation can be different: for long-term storage of containers in the chamber it is recommended to maintain the temperature of 10-12°C. If the wine is to be served on the table, it can be kept in the range from 8°C to 16°C, depending on the brand.

In the refrigerator there are conditions for horizontal storage. This is especially important when using wooden stoppers: when wet, they become sealed and do not let air in, which spoils the contents.

Vials with plastic plugs are not so demanding: they can be placed vertically.

An important function is protection against UV radiation, which speeds up chemical processes by causing wine deterioration. To prevent aggressive rays from entering wine cabinets, tinted glass cabinets usually have opaque doors or tinted glass cabinets that are impervious to UV radiation.

The design features of the technology also make it possible to protect bottles from vibration, which may increase the fallout in them. This option is especially important if drinks are to be stored for a long period of time.

A number of factors are taken into account when selecting a refrigerator, including technical specifications, installation features, dimensions and other criteria.

Classification by type of installation

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All domestic appliances for wine storage can be divided into three groups that characterize the installation option.

Freestanding refrigeration units

Models are located autonomously at some distance from other furniture and appliances. The cooling system in this case may be on the side surfaces or at the back wall.

In the first case, the device looks more advantageous, but the possible leakage can hopelessly spoil it, as repair in this situation is difficult, and sometimes impossible.

A simple and less expensive solution is a device with a radiator at the back panel. Since this unit is quite vulnerable, special care must be taken during transport.

Built-in equipment models

Built-in modifications are in high demand despite the higher cost. The range includes both compact products that can be placed under the tabletop, and dimensional products that allow you to store hundreds of bottles.

As a rule, cabinets of this type are equipped with grilles at the bottom, behind which there are cooling radiators and fans for even distribution of air flows. The most expensive options also have a system for heat extraction.

Display cases for bottle storage

Compact devices designed for placement on walls. Thanks to the minimum depth and the small parameters of the mounting plate, they can be conveniently placed even in confined spaces.

There are two types of showcases:

• neutral – the design does not include any units responsible for temperature reduction;
• cooled – equipped with silent ventilated freezing system and automatic defrosting option.

The first variant is used for decorative and presentation purposes, the second one is perfect even for long-term storage of a small collection of bottles.

Cooling technologies used

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There are various ways to cool drinks, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

Absorption system

It is based on chemical reactions accompanied by release/absorption of heat energy.

Since no moving mechanical parts are involved, the device operates quietly and vibration-free. If necessary, it can even be installed in the bedroom.

The disadvantages of such models include significant power consumption and high cost. In addition, due to the use of ammonia and other unsafe elements in the system, the technique requires increased attention.

Compressor technology

To date, the most common system used in wine cabinets. The operation of the devices is similar to that of a traditional refrigerator. The gas is compressed by the compressor to generate heat and then expanded again, absorbing heat energy.

The compressors can be used in both built-in and standalone appliances. Despite their economical use of energy, they maintain the set temperature perfectly.

Among the drawbacks is some noise, the level of which is indicated in the enclosed instruction manual. Before purchase, the tightness of the appliance and the quality of the compressor must be carefully checked, as these factors have a direct impact on the service life of the compressor.

Thermoelectric or electronic system

Devices using this technology belong to the most budget product group. To reduce the temperature they use Peltier elements – plates, which are heated on the one hand and cooled on the other.

Refrigerators of this type have a number of valuable advantages: small size, absence of vibration, democratic value.

The main disadvantage of such models is the impossibility of embedding. In addition, the design of the technology, as a rule, requires a fan, the functioning of which is associated with certain noise. Its level is especially high for inexpensive modifications, while the operation of elite versions is almost silent.

Dimensions, design and additional functions

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Various models of wine chillers may have additional equipment and/or functions.

Useful options:

• display;
• remote control;
• air circulation system;
• control of cooling zones;
• heating option;
• humidity control;
• locks and accessories.

The front wall of the cabinet is often equipped with a digital screen that informs about the temperature and humidity of the chamber. Usually there are also mechanical or touch buttons for adjustment.

Some versions provide remote control. In this case, the set includes a remote control, which is used to regulate the operation of the device.

Specialty refrigerators can have a different number of temperature zones. Dual-zone devices are especially in demand, as they maintain ideal conditions for storing two types of beverages.

They provide a section for white wines and champagne with a temperature of 6°C, as well as a section for saturated red wines at 16-18°C. It is important to bear in mind that having an additional cooling compartment reduces internal space and makes the model much more expensive.

The simpler design has multizone devices. They are characterized by a single space in which a vertical temperature change is provided: at the bottom it is lower than at the top. The variation in these variants is usually 3-6°C.

For faster and more uniform cooling, a fan is sometimes installed in the cooking cabinet. By definition, it is absent in multi-zone chillers where temperature differences are important.

Most wine cabinets are designed for cooling only. However, there are modifications equipped with a heating function – “winter mode”. Such appliances can be left without fear in unheated rooms, for example, in the cottage or in the pantry.

The budget options automatically maintain a constant water vapour content, which varies between 50-80%. Expensive units are usually equipped with special systems that allow you to set your own moisture content.

In addition to the above factors, wine refrigerators can be equipped with additional devices and accessories, such as locks to prevent unauthorized access, UV protection, carbon filters, lava stones.

As for dimensions, manufacturers offer a variety of parameters. Adaptations for private owners, designed to store a few dozen bottles, are usually quite modest in size.

Industrial units for bars and other establishments have impressive size, which allows you to store them in batches of various drinks.

Since wine storage units are luxury goods, manufacturers pay particular attention to the design of models.

Metal, wood, tinted and mirror glass are used for their production. Often the devices are decorated with carving, forged elements, leather, mosaic, which gives them a luxurious appearance.

Best producer overview

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Among the largest companies producing refrigeration equipment for wine storage, there are five clear favorites.

Wine cabinets EuroCave

The famous French company, whose founder René Martin proposed the concept of special devices simulating the conditions of wine cellars, and set up their production.

At present, the EuroCave catalogue presents more than five hundred models of household appliances, which are assembled in the northern French town of Fourmy, the historical homeland of the brand.

Most of the options offered are multi-zone cabinets, whose temperature varies uniformly in height from 7 to 20°C, which allows you to simultaneously store on the shelves champagne, white, pink and red wines.

The collections offer free-standing and built-in appliances, mainly in classic design.

Wine storage devices from Dometic

The Swedish company is a well-known manufacturer of wine cabinets. The company has developed and patented absorption cooling technology.

Due to the absence of noise and vibration it is widely used for long-term storage of various brands of noble drinks.

Household appliances from Domestic are of high quality. It is characterized by effective protection against UV radiation, excellent air circulation, reliable maintenance of temperature and humidity.

Demokratic equipment from Caso

Devices produced by Caso brand (Germany) have found recognition among different categories of users. In the assortment of the company there are models at democratic value, which are quite accessible to the middle class.

All lines of Caso are characterized by traditional German quality, ease of use, long service life. Excellent design in the classic style allows you to easily fit the technique in any interior, and the various dimensions make it possible to use it both in the home and in bars, cafes and restaurants.

Dunavox wine cabinets

Despite its relative youth, the Hungarian company Dunavox has managed to attract the attention of connoisseurs and collectors of vintage drinks thanks to a wide range of conventional and built-in models.

The company’s products are characterized by an ideal combination of budget price and excellent technical characteristics. The high quality of the refrigerators is also confirmed by the three-year warranty period provided by the company.

Designer equipment Ip Industrie

Since the appearance of the product plays an important role in the selection of wine storage devices, mention should be made of the Italian company Ip Industrie. Its original and beautiful products are in great demand in different countries around the world.

In the manufacture of luxury models are used only natural materials, such as leather and wood of different species. Designers offer bright bold solutions, so that the technique of Ip Industie becomes the center of the interior.

Exquisite design is combined with excellent performance: in the manufacture of products widely used modern technology and scientific research.

Excellent quality also differs from the famous German manufacturers Libherr and Miele, French professional line La Sommeliere, products of the Chinese manufacturer Cold Vine.

Issues related to the topic of storage and processing of fresh meat are very important. Improper preservation of this product can become the basis for serious digestive disorders and diseases.

What does quality meat look like?

The qualitative fresh products can be recognized by the state of its cut. In this case, consistency, color, and aroma are important. The meat should have a uniform color: without fragments of other shades and spots, and the color should correspond to the type:

• lamb has a natural color of dark red;
• beef is red, the calf is pink;
• pork should be pink;
• poultry – light meat with a pink tinge.

Veins and small patches of fat are also acceptable.

You can recognize a quality product by its fresh, pleasant, barely distinguishable aroma. Sour pungent odor indicates the freshness of the product.

Inclusions of white fatty layers that have a marble-like pattern at the cut point indicate high quality and freshness. The exception here is mutton fat: it may have a cream color.

The consistency of benign meat should be dense and elastic. When pressed, it should immediately return to its previous position (spring up). There should be no recesses at the pressure site.

There can be no mucus on the surface of a quality product (not to mention mold).

When choosing in a store, you need to make sure that there are no smudges at the bottom of the package. This is an indicator of a poor-quality product that was thawed several times thawed or is just stale.

Small ice crystals of pink color located around a piece of frozen meat also indicate temperature violations during storage.

Raw meat with a grayish tint definitely does not need to be purchased. Even if it has a fresh release date on its packaging. It can cause serious poisoning.

On the part of trade workers, there are many ways to give a beautiful outlook to expired products. For example, pink-colored areas of fat indicate steeping in potassium permanganate.

Proper Storage Of Meat

Store meat products in a cool place. There are several options for storing meat products, including freezing.

Given the quality and features of a product, the meat storage temperature is in the range from -30 ° C to + 5 ° C.

Cold Storage

It is allowed to store fresh meat in conditions from 0 ° C to + 5 ° C for no more than 2 to 4 days.

• This product cannot be kept in plastic bags; it will “suffocate”.
• The products are kept in cold water, in ceramic or enameled dishes, in a cool room. This method of storing fresh meat does not allow it to air-dry. And it helps to fully maintain useful properties.
• Minced meat and finely chopped slices should be used immediately after purchase or frozen. It should be borne in mind that the shelf life of veal (and other young animals) is shorter than beef.

When it is decided to cook the meal in the next two days, you can do it without freezing. You can store chilled meat in the refrigerator at a temperature of 0 ° C – -3 ° C for no more than two days.

The shelf life of chilled pork is 1 – 3 days, fresh poultry – 5 days.

In conditions of zero temperature, it is allowed to store chilled meat for up to 2 weeks.

Fresh chicken, turkey, and other poultry are kept in the cold for 2 days. After heat treatment, the shelf life is increased to 3 to 4 days.

Raw pork meat will remain fresh in the cold for 5 days, if it has already been cooked – only 4 days.

The storage of minced meat in the refrigerator is limited to 2 days.

Frozen at -3 ° C, the product is stored for 3 weeks (pork and beef) or 2 weeks (chicken (carcass)).

Storing minced meat without packaging in the cold is allowed for no more than 12 hours, offal – 6 hours.

Shelf Life In The Fridge

• 12 days for pork
• Beef – 16 days
• Chicken meat – not more than 4 days

The frozen product at a temperature of -12 -18 ° C

• Pork – 3-6 months
• Beef – 8-13 months
• Chicken meat – for about six months

Deep freeze

• Pork – a year and a half
• Beef – up to two years 
• Chicken – no more than a year

Storage Without Freezing

It is best to store the meat in a food container with a lid on the top shelf of the refrigerator.

• The shelf life of boneless tenderloins is longer. It should also be borne in mind that a whole piece is more likely to maintain freshness than a piece cut into small parts.
• Raw meat should be stored in a refrigerator on a separate shelf, away from other products. This will allow it to maintain freshness longer.
• Storage in closed plastic packaging is undesirable. The product needs air access.
• Vinegar treatment will help to prolong freshness. Impregnate natural fabric in it and wrap a piece of meat with it. Such treatment does not allow bacteria to develop, which increases the shelf life by 2 to 3 days.
• Pork or veal is sprinkled with fresh lemon juice and put in a non-metallic dish without a lid. This can extend the shelf life by another couple of days.
• There is another storage option: wrap the eat in a piece of paper. And after that, wrap it with a damp cloth. This will increase the freshness of the product by 2 to 3 days. The cloth must first be soaked in water with plenty of salt.

Freezer Storage

Freezing is a good opportunity to increase the shelf life of meat. True though, that when defrosting, it loses some qualities.

The main thing, when freezing, is not to leave air in the bag. It must be removed as much as possible (it is better to use a vacuum packer). The bag is sealed, then wrapped with foil and placed in the freezer.

Large parts are wrapped with foil so that they do not freeze to each other.

Each piece of meat is signed (with a marker on the package). With this method, the remaining storage time can be visible.

Poultry carcasses will last about 1 year, pieces – 9 months.

Large pieces are stored in the freezer for 6 – 12 months, cut red meat – from 4 months up to six months.

Various types of minced meat – 4 months.

After heat treatment, any meat is stored for 2-6 months.

How Long Can Boiled Meat Be Stored

Boiled meat is stored in the refrigerator for no more than 2 days, in the freezer for no more than a month (depending on how it was processed). 

Jellied meat is kept in a cool place from 5 days to 1 week (depending on the amount of salt).

When the meat has been thawed, it should be cooked no later than a day. It is no longer possible to freeze it again (it will quickly deteriorate).

Marinated Meat

The shelf life of pickled meat will depend on the additives used in its preparation.

Marinade, the basis of which is fermented milk products, will allow storing future barbecue for 1 – 2 days. Mayonnaise will extend the shelf life up to 5 days. Wine, vinegar, vodka additives in the marinade increase the shelf life by another 5 days.

To preserve the maximum amount of vitamins and minerals that meat products are so rich in, it is necessary, by all rules, to organize the storage of fresh meat at home following the recommendations given in this article.

How big of a refrigerator do I need?

Well, most of you will be okay with 6 gallons per person, but there is also a regular-sized 3-gallon size that you can use for smaller meals, such as fish, green beans, and rice. My husband loves this size better than the 6-gallon model because it can fit his leftovers easily, although he does love the 3-gallon model. These are the largest size I would recommend. I would recommend getting a set of handles for this size freezer so that it is easy to lift up.

For full potential cooling power and liquid or gas preparation of freshly squeezed fruits, any power saw or power drill, industrial blower, the refrigerator can be built. A very basic refrigerator can be made from scrap metal with a hand-powered saw.

It is good to have a large refrigerator for nipping up the juice and stock before you have added sauce or stock. The fridge should be strong enough to hold about 10 pounds of food and a 2 or 3-gallon jug of water or beer.

After you’ve already decided on the best unit for your home, simply measure the amount of space you’d like to have, then multiply this number by the listed refrigerant run times to find the estimated refrigerant lifetime.


The amount of space you need to store hot food can vary depending on whether or not you’re buying the refrigerator’s appliance or wall unit.

For both types of refrigerator types, you’ll have to see if a larger freezer is needed for your household’s needs.

If you are storing eggs in a refrigerator, I’d say a 30-inch one would be plenty. Eggs will keep for a year in a fridge that is at room temperature, though they may be a bit soft after that, and you’ll have to check them often. My favorite solution is to buy a quality baby gate refrigerator and store our eggs in it. It is simply much larger, so it gives us a bit more leeway to use it. Also, it’s cheaper.

What type of refrigerator has the most freezer space?

According to “A Carve of Life,” the latest in life science from Chevrolet, a refrigerator with a freezer space of more than 4,000 cubic feet might best an Airstream, a tall, skinny truck-looking transport that relies on a tank and flatbed for storage. A third possible freezer space in an automobile could be found in a dashboard mount, said the authors of the new study, Carole Levin and Stephanie Abigail Tanenbaum of the University of Arizona, Tucson

Freon refrigerators are the largest in terms of average freezer space; however, it is the size of the freezer itself, not the number of Freon refrigerators, which determines the largest freezer. Just as bigger space is better than smaller space, larger fridge volumes are better than smaller fridge volumes.

Some manufacturers sell the most powerful refrigerators available. Unfortunately, this means that the FCA Annual Rebate does not apply.

More freezer space = more food! Of course, more space also means a larger refrigerator and a higher cost to run.

“This is a smart fridge and really is up there with the rest.” – James H. Cusick, Worcester, MA

“One of the most feature-packed refrigerators I’ve ever seen!” – Sheila Mo, Frederick, MD

I hope you enjoyed this small guide to the most popular types of refrigerators. This guide will help you locate a good-sized refrigerator.

What size refrigerator do I need for a family of 2?

A gallon size fridge is probably the best choice for a couple and 2 or 3 small sized refrigerators are probably the best choice for a family of 3. The bigger the better (weighing more than the average 1-gallon fridge). Any kind of refrigerator, not to mention freezer will work as long as you can fit it in your kitchen area. If you find a huge refrigerator that is too much you can always pick up a new one from garage sales. We’ve got our family a three-month-old (21″ x 18)

A standard refrigerator of 28 cubic feet or larger will be able to keep two adults comfortably cool in the summer, one adult comfortably warm in the winter. Although many people don’t think twice about refrigeration, many small families run into problems with the storage space on their refrigerator shelves or the height of the shelves they use. Because of this, this article details the things to look for when shopping for a refrigerator, as well as tips on how to clean and maintain a refrigerator.

This depends on the number of people that live in the house. Generally, the larger the refrigerator the better, though you may have to be a little creative with how you use it. You should have your older siblings over for a weekend and have them get a family-sized fridge in their room so that everyone will be happy to see each other. Let them use a little room that is big enough to hold their drinks, appetizers, and microwaves.

What is a good price for a refrigerator?

How about 12 tons? They expect us to pay just north of $8,000.00. However, if they could sell it to us for just 5 to 6 tons, they could recoup their investments! Therefore, the question then becomes what is the best price for a refrigeration unit? It is our conclusion that this value estimate is rather optimistic and by not using this real-world experience, we are, in effect, assuming that the market for refrigeration units is readily organized to have price controls that are accurate in the 1 percent.

I see so many used refrigerators for sale. Is it right to buy something of that age, or would a newer model give me a good experience? Thank you!

I’m a newbie, so I’m not sure what to get as my goal is to build a stable wealth in my 50s. My question is this: It has been a while since I purchased a refrigerator, which means I have built up a substantial amount of equity in my household