Adding an Under Counter Wine Cooler to Your Kitchen Space
If you are building a home or considering a remodeling project for your kitchen, why not make your space truly custom made? As a wine enthusiast, you are likely a bit frustrated at trying to get your beverage to the proper temperature for serving. Your refrigerator keeps wine too cold, requiring you plan ahead and allow time for the bottle to warm before serving. Installing an under counter wine cooler is the perfect solution to this entertaining conundrum. Unlike a standard refrigerator, these built in appliances are perfectly suited for the task of cooling, holding and displaying your wine.
When you plan your kitchen addition, there are several things to consider. The first is whether you want your under counter wine cooler to blend into your decor or be a decorative feature itself. Most connoisseurs like to display their collection, so the majority of the wine cellars on the market feature a glass front. However, if you want to be a bit more unobtrusive, you can buy a model with a solid front. When installed under your counters, it will look much like a dishwasher front. Also, you will likely need to have the cabinets and counters custom designed around your cooler. The sizes vary greatly between manufacturers and models, so keep that in mind when you do your initial design. You can also purchase models that feature dual cooling zones, perfect for collections that feature both red and white wines, which are best at different temperature ranges.
For under counter coolers, the most basic models hold around two dozen bottles. The popular Vinotemp VT-26 sells for around $1200. However, most standard under counter wine cooler models hold around 45-50 bottles. These range in price from around $500 to around $1400. The most affordable cooler in this range is the model offered by Haier. Falling in the middle are models made by Danby and Summit. This LivingDirect product video features the EdgeStar 46 Bottle Built In Dual Zone Wine Cooler:
As you can see, there’s a perfect fit for every need. Whether your main concern is price or capacity, you can find an under counter wine cooler that will fit the bill. Make sure that you carefully check the dimensions before creating the space in your kitchen. Also, if you enjoy both red and white wines, you should look at a wine cooler with two cooling chambers.
