A is an ideal appliance to store and age your . However, with so many different brands on the market, it can be difficult to know which one is the best for you.
However, what exactly are small wine fridges? Why might you want one, and what are the benefits/drawbacks of getting such a unit.
That’s exactly what we’re going to be discussing in this article.
Table of Contents
What is a Small ?
A small fridge is simply one that has a small wine bottle capacity.
A small wine refrigerator is a great way to store your wine. It typically has a bottle capacity of around 5-20 bottles and can be used to store red or white wine. A small wine refrigerator is a great investment for someone who loves wine and wants to keep it fresh, but doesn’t require the capacity of a large-sized wine fridge.
How Does A Work?
Similar to any wine refrigerator, a small wine cooler can either be powered by a compressor, or a thermoelectric system.
With a compressor-powered system, there is of course a compressor which is helping to maintain an adequate internal temperature.
With a thermoelectric system, it utilizes the Peltier principle to help maintain a cool temperature for your wine collection. ScienceDirect discusses this more in detail here:
The Peltier effect is the reverse phenomenon of the Seebeck effect; the electrical current flowing through the junction connecting two materials will emit or absorb heat per unit time at the junction to balance the difference in the chemical potential of the two materials. Thanks to this effect, an electronic refrigerator can be made, which is known as the Peltier . The Peltier has been applied to niche areas such as infrared detectors, CPU coolers, cellars, etc., because the cooling power is lower than that of compressor-based refrigerators. This technique is called thermoelectrics.
Factors to Consider When Assessing a Brand
To begin, there are a few key factors to consider when selecting a brand and model. Some of these are obvious, while others are less so.
The reputation of the brand
When buying a , the brand’s reputation will almost certainly be a major deciding factor.
Excellent, Responsive Customer service
This is most likely one of the most important factors to consider, and it is essentially an insurance policy. When it comes to good customer service, you want to make sure the company you’re buying from is easy to contact and has a reputation for providing excellent service.
How can you accurately assess the customer service of a brand?
There are two ways to do this, the first of which is significantly easier and the second of which is the true test:
- See unbiased customer reviews and feedback for each brand on Google Reviews and websites like Trustpilot and Feefo. You should take their overall review score (/10) and average it.
- Check the brand’s website to see if there is a contact email or live chat option. They’ve just earned a point (+1) if they have a live chat. If you have a question about a specific on their website, you should email their support team. And what you’re looking for is their responsiveness and depth of response. The higher the score, the faster, more in-depth, and more helpful the response. For each brand, you can simply divide it by ten.
What you’re left with is a score for both 1 + 2. Simply combine the scores and you have a hierarchy of the brands that have great customer service, vs the ones that don’t.
Warranty
Another important consideration is the duration of the warranty. You want to know if they offer a warranty on their because you’re buying one from their website. It’s also critical to understand the warranty’s terms and conditions, as some brands provide separate labor and parts warranties.
Features
Each will have its own unique features, for example, some units will have a single cooling zone, whereas there will be others that have dual-zone, tri-zone, and even quad-zone capacity. Not only that, but fridges can vary in other features such as the amount of internal storage space, whether or not they have adjustable shelves or a display shelf, the materials used to create the shelving (metal or wood) if they have a reversible door and much more. Therefore, it’s important that you consider these factors before choosing one.
Physical Dimensions
It’s very important to consider the physical dimensions of a before purchasing one because they come in a wide range of sizes and heights. By not considering the size, you may find that it doesn’t fit into the designated space at home, in your kitchen, or . Or in a commercial environment like a bar or restaurant. Additionally, not considering the dimensions beforehand can make transporting the unit very difficult, particularly if there are narrow doorways, low ceilings, stairways, and sharp turns on the way to the place where it is being stored.
Cost
Last but not least, the cost of each small will vary, especially between brands. Given that a is more of a long-term investment, you should expect to pay more for a unit that will last for longer. The worst thing you can do is buy a unit that breaks and requires replacing… So make sure you’re spending enough to buy a quality .
With all of that being said, we’ve included a list of the most reputable, trustworthy brands below. We’ve taken into account product customer reviews & ratings, alongside the amount of time that the business has been in operation.
Benefits of a Small
A is an energy-efficient appliance that can help you preserve your . By storing your in a small , you can avoid the deterioration caused by exposure to air and light. A small also allows you to store your at a consistent , which preserves the taste and characteristics of your .
Benefits of a small :
1. It’s compact in size – This ultimately means that it’s versatile in placement, making it very easy to integrate within your kitchen or another area of your home.
2. Energy-efficient – Since these units are smaller in size, they’re more energy-efficient than large-sized . Additionally, they’re available with both compressor and technology, with the latter being the most energy-efficient.
3. It’s very affordable – They’re more affordable to purchase due to their size and .
4. Low running costs – Due to the smaller and zone size, the cost to cool the unit is a lot lower than a large . Therefore, the running costs in terms of electricity are lower.
Drawbacks of a Small
A small wine refrigerator can be a great way to store and enjoy your wine, but there are some drawbacks to consider.
1. Limited storage capacity – For one, a small wine refrigerator may not have enough space to store a large variety of wines.
2. Limited temperature range – Less expensive units will often have more limited functionality. These refrigerators may not be able to keep your wine cold enough if you want to store it for an extended period of time.
2. Durability – Finally, they may not be as durable as larger models and could be more susceptible to damage.
If you’re looking for a small refrigerator that can handle your collection of wines, consider investing in a model that’s built for the task.
Types of Refrigerators
Today’s market has a wide range of small wine coolers to choose from.
The countertop model, also known as a countertop wine cooler, is the most common type and can be found in many homes because it is small and easy to store. Furthermore, because these models typically have a small energy footprint, they will not cost you a lot of money to operate.
Small wine coolers can come with either single zone or dual zone capacity. The zones refer to the number of storage zones within the unit.
Therefore, a single-zone wine fridge has one cooling zone, making it best suited for people who only want to store one type of wine, I.E a collection of red wine.
A dual-zone wine fridge has two cooling zones, making it more suited for people wanting to store multiple varieties of wine in the same physical unit, such as white and red wine.
The Best Brands of Small
1. Koolatron
2. Ivation
3. Phiestina
4. Antarctic Star
5. Black + Decker
How Much Does a Small Cost?
refrigerators are becoming more popular and affordable. However, what exactly is the cost of a small wine fridge, well, prices start at around $150.
Conclusion
A is a great way to keep your fresh and cold. With so many different brands on the market, it can be difficult to decide which one is right for you.
By understanding the key benefits and potential drawbacks of such a unit, you can decide if this type of is suitable for your requirements.
However, when it comes to refrigerators, there are plenty of great options available.
But it’s important to choose the right one for your needs. Make sure to consider everything from price to features before making your decision.
Rest assured that if you are looking for a quality that will last for years, one of the mentioned brands above is a great choice.
Finally, if you’re looking at where to buy a small , we’ll be writing an article on this.
