I had a Magic Chef for 11 years. The compressor had gotten real noisy in the past 6 months so I replaced it. Bought a Zephyr under the counter 44 bottle single zone fridge. I’m very pleased with it.
I bought a hygrometer and tested the Monogram wine fridge. It’s around 35%, I think. Definitely not above 40%, that’s for sure. I’m not sure how bad that is for storage. I need to find out if Costco sells the smaller Artevino units. Right now I only saw the larger 200/double units for sale.
I’m remodeling a home and in the process of designing the kitchen, which is rather large (18x16ft). I’m looking at appliances and I’m having trouble selecting an appropriate built-in wine cooler (or chiller).
While I’m not a fan of wine coolers (putting alcohol within eyesight encourages you to drink more often), the scale of level of the kitchen might warranty such an amenity. In fact, it might be conspicuous by it’s absence.
Reading online reviews has left me bewildered…sites like Amazon and Sears have just a handful of reviews per model and at least one person will complain that the product died in 12 months (regardless of manufacturer).
Consumer Reports also seems to have just started covering this appliance and doesn’t have many choices.
Those of you that have built-in, under-the-counter wine coolers, which manufacturer/model did you choose and how is it in terms of performance, energy usage, noise and reliability?
Thanks!
Found a new, unused Artevino III with a small ding in the side for $800 at a nearby electronics recycling shop. Bought it, then as it’s being unloaded off the truck by the delivery guys this morning, it lurches off the dolly and smashes on the pavement, destroying the door. Unbelievable. Back to the Craigslist grind…
We love our Avallon single zone under-cabinet. You can fit burgundy bottles if they aren’t ridiculously huge and can store four bottles of bubbly on the bottom shelf if you alternate neck in, neck out. You can’t hear it running at all and it does have a compressor. Very well built. Stay away from the thermo-electric coolers.
Costco has Artevino III’s on sale today
Avanti still makes solid fridges in the 25-30 bottle range. Happy with my WE VinoView for the larger storage capacity and not very noisy.
I have two fridges.
I started with a CWR461DZ EdgeStar 46 Bottle Built-In Dual Zone Wine Cooler. It’s pretty nice. However the shelves don’t come out smoothly (no rollers) and the slats on the wood are wide, so that if you have anything other than a standard Bordeaux bottle, you have to remove a shelf to get things to fit. So not really 46 bottles
I also recently acquired a used SubZero (https://www.subzero-wolf.com/sub-zero/wine-cooler/24-inch-built-in-wine-storage)
This is a great fridge, although expensive. The shelves slide well and have a metal rod like holder so pretty much everything fits and you put different sizes in next to each other no problem.
New-ish to the boards here but thought I’d share:
https://www.subzero-wolf.com/sub-zero/wine-cooler/iw-30r
We re did our kitchen this past year and its a very large kitchen with a “walk in butler pantry”. the MSRP is expensive but my wife really wanted a fridge for other beverages for parties - stuff like beer, seltzer, water, etc. Getting 2 under counter fridges, one for wine and one for other beverages, built in would have been maybe half the price or so of the SubZero. But then we’d need extra cabinets, extra countertop material, etc. So yes the SZ was still more expensive but the overall price compared to 2 smaller units shrank a bit. Plus a glass door beverage fridge can look messy with various cans/bottles/labels, etc. so now those are hidden behind paneled pull out drawers.
End of day, we paneled it to match and its really a beautiful piece that everyone comments on. No one really realizes the two pull out draws are refrigerated and its a nice touch and a very classy overall looking “beverage station” vs just a wine fridge.
That looks amazing Eric! Nice find.
Thanks. Actually when you consider it holds 86 bottles of wine and 5-6 dozen cans and even more in bottles it’s probably close to 3 under cabinet units really closing in on the cost factor for built ins.
Anyone have experience with Dunavox long term storage cabinets? Looking at buying their 190 bottle free standing model.
Does anyone have any updated info about wine fridges?
I have two 55 bottle refrigerators - one came with the house I bought and the other I had before. All I can say is, I never thought I would fill one 55 bottle up, but the two are almost full!
The house came with a kitchenaid - surprisingly very good and consistent temperatures. I forget the brand of the one I bought from beverage factory - maybe allavino ( I’m traveling right now). It’s also great, and bought it for 800 or so.
Anyone have experience with this WE fridge available at Costco on sale at the moment?
I have been searching for a 300+ bottle fridge at a decent price point and would love to get a few suggestions.
No experience with those, but I purchased 2 x Artevino III from Costco and couldn’t be happier.
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Danby.
I have this model:
It’s more expensive now than it was 15 years ago, but through two owners and a half dozen plus moves it’s still going strong. Highly recommend.
I don’t think they sell those any longer. I found another one this morning which appears to be a newer model:
https://www.costco.com/vinotheque-288-bottle%2c-free-standing%2c-stainless-steel-wine-cellar-by-wine-enthusiast.product.100575856.html
KitchenAid makes a great compact one that’s very well built.
Thanks for looking around. I just ordered this one. 300 bottles for less than $7 per bottle plus electricity. I just got tired of the Craigslist grind and I like the idea of white glove delivery.