Small Wine Fridges

What’s the difference between a small built in/integrated and a small freestanding wine fridge?

If you've spent any time looking for wine fridges at all then you'll have seen the words 'freestanding', 'integrated' and built-in'. These words refer to the ideal placement of the wine fridge and most importantly, how the wine fridge vents.

The hot air from the compressor needs to go somewhere, in small freestanding wine fridge the heat emanates from around the entire carcass which means you need to include 2-3 inches of free space all around the unit and at least 12 inches on top too.

For a built-in or undercounter small wine fridge, the ventilation panel is at the front, at the very bottom of the unit. Those installing this type of wine fridge into a kitchen often add a plinth at the bottom to cover the internal grate. As long as the plinth has holes to allow the small wine fridge to breath, this is fine.

A small integrated wine fridge would typically be the size of a microwave oven and would almost certainly just be used for wine service. Small integrated dual zone wine fridges are at least 60cm tall.

Why choose a small wine fridge?

Space-Efficiency

The most apparent benefit of small wine fridges is their space-efficiency. These compact appliances are designed to fit into tight spaces, making them ideal for those with limited kitchen or living space. Whether you want to place it on a countertop, under a cabinet, or in a small apartment, small wine fridges offer a practical and stylish solution.

Precise Temperature Control

Small wine fridges are equipped with advanced cooling systems and digital thermostats that allow you to set and maintain the perfect temperature for your wines. This precision temperature control ensures that your wines age gracefully and retain their optimal flavours and aromas.

Protection from UV Light

Many small wine fridges feature UV-resistant glass doors or tinted glass that protects your wine from harmful ultraviolet rays. This is vital for preventing the premature aging of wine and maintaining its quality over time. You can easily showcase your collection without exposing it to damaging light.

Reduced Vibration

Wine is sensitive to vibrations, which can disturb the sediment in bottles and affect the aging process. Small wine fridges often incorporate vibration-dampening technology to minimize disturbances. Your wines will remain undisturbed, ensuring they age as intended and retain their quality.

Customisable Shelving

Small wine fridges come with adjustable and removable shelving, allowing you to configure the interior to accommodate various bottle sizes, from standard 750ml bottles to larger magnums or unusual shapes. This versatility enables you to maximize your storage space and organize your collection effectively.

Energy Efficiency

Small wine fridges are designed to be energy-efficient, as they operate at lower temperatures than regular refrigerators. Many models also feature LED lighting, which not only showcases your collection but also consumes less energy compared to traditional lighting options.

Ease of Maintenance

Maintaining a small wine fridge is relatively straightforward. Regular cleaning and occasional dusting of the condenser coils are usually sufficient to keep it in optimal condition. These fridges require minimal maintenance compared to other wine storage solutions, making them a convenient choice for busy wine enthusiasts.

Budget-Friendly

Small wine fridges are often more affordable than their larger counterparts, making them an excellent choice for those with a limited budget. You can still enjoy the benefits of precise wine storage without breaking the bank.

Choosing the right small wine fridge?

What features should I look for in a small wine cooler?

This will depend entirely on what you want your small wine fridge to do. If you want it to hold Champagne then look for wider shelving gaps, if you want it to hold a mix of bottles, look for MIX shelving, if you want to mature your wine, look for carbon filters, if you want to serve wine of all varieties look for a dual zone. Common features of small wine fridges include;

• Single or Dual Temperature Zones
• Alarm systems to notify of temperature dips
• MIX shelving systems and space for Champagne bottles
• Carbon filters - you will find these in wine coolers with the potential to age wines
• UV protected doors - all units will feature UV protected doors to prevent your wine from sunlight damage
• Adjustable feet to bring the height of the wine fridge up or down

Considerations when choosing a small wine cooler?

Every wine collector has different needs and considerations when choosing a small wine fridge. It's important to consider;

• The space you can allocate to your wine fridge and the ambient temperature within which you will place it
  
• The number of bottles you need to store
  
• Is this small wine fridge for storage or service or both - how many zones do you need?
• The budget you can allocate to small wine fridge
  
• The long term running and maintenance costs
  
• How might your wine collection evolve over time
  
• What shape and size are your bottles, what type of shelving will you need.

Which brands manufacture small wine fridges?

Nearly every brand offers a small wine fridges from Swisscave to mQuvee, Dunavox to La Sommeliere, there is not really a small wine fridge specialist as these models use much of the same technology of the larger wine fridges and their technology is just in miniature.

How to install a small wine fridge?

Small wine fridges are generally self contained so don't need plumbing in or frequent maintenance. If you've bought a small freestanding wine fridge then simply plug your small wine fridge in and away you go.

If the wine fridge is under a kitchen counter, you will need to ensure you don't cover the ventilation grate at the bottom of the wine fridge. However, once again, simply push the wine fridge into place, adjust the feet for levelling or height and plug the wine fridge in.

For a small integrated wine fridge you will need to pay attention to the installation diagram, the unit may vent from the back, the top or it may be self-ventilating. Integrated units are generally placed inside a kitchen design and sometimes come 'panel ready' allowing the customer to hang a door on the front in keeping with their kitchen.

Small wine fridge FAQs

How long does a small wine fridge last?

A small wine fridge has the same warranty length as a larger one. The reason some small wine fridges may not last as long as wine cabinets is due to the fact small wine fridges are more often used and opened.

What is the best temperature for a small wine fridge?

There’s no best temperature for a small wine fridge.

Where do you put a small wine fridge?

Assuming the climate classification is not being breached and the unit is ventilated as per the instructions. Small wine fridges can kept anywhere around the home, office, restaurant or bar.

Can I put my small wine fridge on a kitchen counter?

If there is sufficient ventilation all around that a small wine fridge can be placed on a kitchen counter or the floor.