Wine Cabinets

Wine Cabinet considerations: Size, Material and Features

While this may seem unnecessary to discuss, you will want to give serious thought to how much wine you will want to store, as well as what materials you want your wine cabinet to be made of. There are cabinets on the market that can store up to 500 bottles—do you need that kind of space? Talk to salespeople about both the racked and total bottle capacity of a cabinet—racked bottle capacity is simply how many bottles you can fit on the allotted racks, while total bottle capacity is how many bottles you can fit entirely onto the racks (i.e. lie on top of one another). Make sure the dimensions of the cabinet you are looking at will work in the space you’ve allotted for it in your home. Materials for wine cabinets range from stainless steel to such types of wood (and wood finishes) as black oak, maple, and cherry. What will work best with the décor in your home? Also think about whether or not you want a cabinet with single or double doors, the unit's weight (some weigh over 500 pounds). It’s recommended that you look for a wine cabinet that has sliding and adjustable shelves for easy access—you don’t want to be pushing bottles to and fro to get to the one you need that’s way in the back.

Temperatures

The cooling system of the wine cabinet you’re considering purchasing should be quiet and electronically precise (i.e. maintain a temperature that is steady). There are two types of cooling systems: forced air and cold wall. Forced air cooling systems are a bit louder than cold wall systems, but they require a lot less maintenance, for they lower temperature fluctuations and higher humidity levels. Cold wall systems actually remove moisture from inside the cabinet, which means they require a drip pan to be placed underneath them—this means you’re going to have to clean said drip pan, and on occasion, replace the air filters they use. You should also look for a wine cabinet that has dual temperature controls—this feature will allow you to chill your whites while keeping your reds at room temp.

Pricing and Warranty

Be aware that most wine cabinets are priced with a base price—this means that many of the cabinet’s features are not factored into the price that appears on the tag. To get the true price of the cabinet you want, begin with the advertised price and then add the prices of the components you want your wine cabinet to include. Be sure you have a good understanding of the manufacturer’s warranty. Know whether or not parts are covered, or if labor is only covered, or, ideally, if both are covered. Also look into whether or not the cooling system is covered along with the cabinet—sometimes it is not.