Hi,

Just getting into wine and have been thinking about getting a wine fridge for the past year or so. Going to lay out to get some bottles of red that are about $100 a pop and set them down for a couple of years and so definitely want to get one now.

What wine fridges under $500 would people reccomend?

I've had a couple of friends say that perfectly adequate ones can be procured at Home Depot: Yes? No? Maybe?

Thanks much.

quote:

I've had a couple of friends say that perfectly adequate ones can be procured at Home Depot:

And the answer is Yes? No? Maybe?

It all depends on what you are looking for in storage. Are you looking to store near term drinkers say 5 - 6 years from now, are you looking to store drink now wine or are you looking to buy high dollar stuff and store it for 10+ years?

Probably a combination of near term and now.

The longest I'd envision holding onto a bottle at this time would probably be about five years. And that's what I really want it for.

And then using it to just store wine for current consumption, that's an added bonus.

quote:

Originally posted by Mateo:
Probably a combination of near term and now.

The longest I'd envision holding onto a bottle at this time would probably be about five years. And that's what I really want it for.

And then using it to just store wine for current consumption, that's an added bonus.

If that is your intent then head to Home Depot and get the Magic Chef.

Looking at Home Depot online; don't see any Magic Chefs up there. Any other suggestions? Brands to look for or avoid?

Thanks again!

I had one of those Magic Chefs from Home Depot. They are not online, you have to go to the store. They do a pretty good job for the novice wine collector. I didn't have any problems with mine. Remember to allow the unit to sit up for 24-48 hours prior to plugging it in.

Good luck...

Thanks for the help.

I googled for Magic Chef and wine fridge and have read some people posting online about humidity concerns. Is this valid? Is it something you can get away from by buying something else? Or is it not a concern if you're only storing bottles for a few years?

And again, thanks for the advice.

IMO humidity is not a concern with the length of time you are keeping your wine before you drink it. If however it still bothers you put a small bowl of water in the bottom of the fridge.

If you put a small bowl of water on the bottom "shelf", it will take up too much room.

For the price, this is the best deal. If you have $500-1000, then you can get a higher model 52 bottle cellar from IWA.

quote:

Originally posted by Bella Donna:
If you put a small bowl of water on the bottom "shelf", it will take up too much room.

It does not take up to much room. I have a very very small bowl that takes the place of one bottle.

How about one of those spongy thingy's they put in humadors? You can probably buy one from a cigar shop to stick to the inside of the wine fridge or place in a small area. They don't take up much space at all.

I have had a few small fridges, including the Magic Chef and a Sanyo from Costco. If you keep the wines for only 5 years these will do fine. Humidity is not really a problem with these. Make sure you buy something without vibration, as this can make a differance in how your wine ages. To reduce this, don't put the fridge on a hard surface, but instead place a piece of carpet under it.
You should be able to buy from Home Depot or Costco for under $400 and hold about 60 bottles.

I've also just come across someone selling Eurocave wine fridges that they claim they bought 5 years ago for their restaurant, which they're now liquidating.

In his email, he said one is the "Confort Vieillotheque V-264" and the other is "Confort Eurotheque E-264 (dual temp)" and he's asking $750 per. Is that a good buy?

Thanks!

quote:

he's asking $750 per. Is that a good buy?

If they're in good shape, yes.

PH

quote:

Originally posted by Mateo:
I've also just come across someone selling Eurocave wine fridges that they claim they bought 5 years ago for their restaurant, which they're now liquidating.

In his email, he said one is the "Confort Vieillotheque V-264" and the other is "Confort Eurotheque E-264 (dual temp)" and he's asking $750 per. Is that a good buy?

Thanks!

Are they nearby Los Angeles? I wouldn't mind having one if you don't want them. That's probably about 1/3 of what they cost new.

No, not near LA. Sorry.

I have a Haier 36 bottle cellar that i bought in 2003. I just opened a bottle that I had in there which I bought at almost the same time as the fridge, and the cork snapped right in half, dry as a bone.

Now I'm really worried about all the other bottles I have in there, some of which are pricey, and all of which have some sentimental value.

Long story short, DEFINITELY worry about humidity, that bottle wasw only in there for 3 years!!!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: CaliCab,

I have an EdgeStar 18 bottle (single zone) w/ the obligatory bowl of water to help keep the humidity around 60%. While these wine fridges won't remove humidity from the air inside like a regular fridge, putting a hydrometer inside an keeping tabs on the humidity is a good thing, even if it costs you the space for a single bottle. It's better than opening up a bottle you laid down three years ago and having the cork snap in half b/c it's so dry.

Interesting, I'm in the same boat as Mateo, and am learning a lot here. Anybody have experience with the Avanti refrigerators? In terms of reliability or anything else.

you're telling me that a simple bowl of water will evaporate enough to provide sufficient humidity in the fridge, even at 55 deg?

Huh.

You guys/girls need to sack up and stop buying these tiny little units. I've got a 550 Bottle Vinotemp and a 380 bottle Vinotheque and I they're always too full......

Any of you have cooler envy?

Now I know where the second word of your name comes from...

Is $995 a good price for a Eurocave 100? I must resign myself to a tiny unit until we buy a bigger place.

quote:

Is $995 a good price for a Eurocave 100? I must resign myself to a tiny unit until we buy a bigger place.

I don't know how you feel about buying used, but I'd check eBay...There is a 260 btl Eurocave Comfort there right now that is selling for $501 at last bid...

eBay item #250056253200

(And, as an non-disclaimer, I have absolutely nothing to do with that auction whatsoever...)

I'll have to check out that auction. I had seem some earlier but many were for local pick up only and not near Chicago. Thanks.