Top 5 Best Small Wine Cellar Cooling Units
In this article, weâre going to be talking about the top 5 best wine cellar cooling units.
Itâs important to note, this guide will cover units that are ideal up to 650 cubic feet.
If youâre looking for anything over this, you can check out our other articles below:
Best Wine Cellar Cooling Units: Covers up to 2000 cubic feet
For those that wish to skip directly to our top recommendations, click here to skip to the section.
Our Wine Cellar Cooling System Buying Guide
If you love a delicious glass of wine, you probably also know the flavor breakdown that happens as the temperature rises. Temperatures as low as 70 degrees can begin to age a wine too quickly, and even higher temperatures can lead to cooked wine, which spoils it.
For best results, your wine should be stored at a temperature no lower than 45 degrees Fahrenheit and no higher than 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The perfect temperature is said to be 55 degrees, although you shouldnt stress yourself out trying to achieve that exact number at all times. Something within that range will be fine.
Casual wine drinkers will be fine relying on the refrigerator. A casual drinker buys a bottle and drinks it within days of opening, or weeks if its unopened. But thats not a solution to rely on for more than a few months at a time. That means if you plan to collect wine, youll need a way to keep your wine fresh.
To create the ideal storage conditions for your bottles, youll need a dark, cool place. Like heat, light is also the enemy, especially the ultraviolet light that comes from the sun and fluorescent bulbs. For long-term storage, youll also need to store the bottles on their sides to prevent the corks from drying out. Otherwise, you can store the bottles horizontally or vertically.
Cellar Pro 1800 Series Wine Cooling Unit
The CellarPro 1800 wine cooling unit series was designed for cabinets and small spaces. This popular model is 18w x 16.5d x 10.5h and is a good fit for both residential and small commercial cellars or dining establishments where theres a lot of foot traffic at mealtimes. This unit offers a choice of top or rear hot exhaust. If the units location does not provide sufficient room for airflow, you may need to purchase a rear duct kit. These cooling units can be installed above the wine cellar when used with our front intake hood. They can also be installed completely inside the wine cellar when used with our rear duct kit, which allows supply and return air flows from the rear of the cooling unit to be ducted up to 100 equivalent feet . Energy-saver mode, quick-chill mode, and auto-defrost cycle provide convenient solutions to common cellar needs.
CellarPro cooling units are designed to operate in environments ranging from 40 to 95 degrees. For installations in environments down to 20°F, we recommend adding our compressor heater modification to the cooling unit. Below 20°F, the cooling units performance will begin to degrade.
This unit has cooling capacity for cellars that are 200-400 Cu. Ft.
CellarPro 1880H Houdini was introduced in 2018
Read Also: Vinegar To Get Red Wine Out Of Carpet
Self Contained Wine Cellar Cooling Systems
This type of refrigeration system is alternatively referred to as through-the-wall wine cellar units since they are mounted through a wall. These single units are engineered to keep the wine cellar temperature at low temperatures.
They are easy to install and come with an affordable price tag. Plus, through-the-wall wine cellar units are convenient since they do not require refrigeration or ductwork lines. However, they can be quite noisy and only suitable for small/medium-sized medium cellars.
What Is A Small Wine Cellar Cooling System
Itâs simply a piece of equipment that is installed within a wine cellar, and helps bring the overall temperature down, to ensure that wine is stored at the adequate temperature.
Wine Cellars are usually used by wine collectors, connoisseurs, sommeliers, and those who require the storage of their wine collection.
The purpose of a wine cellar is most notably for the long-term conservation of expensive and rare wines. And because of this, itâs important that the cellar is maintained at a cool temperature, to prevent these wines from being damaged by heat, which can taint the overall flavor and even compromise the seals of the bottles, leading to oxidization.
Recommended Reading: Can You Ship Alcohol To Louisiana
Is There A Difference Between Wine Cellar Cooling Systemss And Phrases
Consider your intentions when choosing a wine cellar cooling systems type. The small size of wine cellar cooling systemss makes them versatile. You can carry small items in your pocket. I was unable to fit it into my pocket because it is larger than my pocket.
Wide margins make it easy to roll down a page. Search engine optimization cannot profit from the use of low-quality wine cellar cooling systemss.
The 3 Main Types Of Wine Cellar Cooling Systems
Option 1: Air-Cooled, Self-Contained Wine Cellar Cooling Units
These units require a singular power source and usually a drain line for condensation. They come pre-charged with refrigerant from the factory so an HVAC technician is not necessarily required for installation . There are usually two ways they can be installed:
Through a wall, venting to a suitable space where heat will not build up. All units mounted through an interior wall should vent to a space at least as large as the wine cellar that has ventilation so that heat can dissipate. There are also some units that are suitable for mounting through an exterior wall . Note the min/max temperatures for these units and be sure to purchase the cold weather accessories if necessary.
Below: Example of CellarPro 3200VSi mounted through wine cellar wall with optional louvered grill to hide the cooling unit within the wood wine racking.
Below: Example of KoolR Magnum wine cellar cooling unit mounted through wall, over top of door into wine cellar. Note that this unit has vents on both sides, front and underneath of it, so this is the best placement to ensure airflow is not obstructed.
Front and/or Rear Ducted. Many self-contained wine cellar cooling units can be either front, rear or double ducted with the purchase of additional ducting kits .
Below: Example of a Front Ducted CellarPro 3200VSi unit with Vents/Grills Through the Wall into the Wine Cellar. Note how much room this unit takes up in the adjacent room.
Pros:
Don’t Miss: Safari Park Malibu
Top 7 Whisperkool Sc Pro 8000 Wine Cooling Unit
To get the best out of WhisperKOOL SC PRO 8000 Wine Cooling Unit, you should determine the heat load before choosing a cooling unit. Also, its important to keep the cellar properly sealed and insulated with the right vapor barrier.
This cooling unit comes with a digital thermostat placed on the front. Also, it includes a coated evaporator, rear or front power switch, and single-piece mounting bracket.
Furthermore, WhisperKOOL SC PRO 8000 Wine Cooling Unit is equipped with new advanced airflow technology, optimal metering technology, condensate management system for superb performance and extended longevity.
Best Wine Cellar Cooling Unit For You
One of the biggest mistakes one can make when planning their wine cellar is forgetting about the variable that is temperature. Choosing the best wine cellar cooling unit for your wine room can seem daunting at first, but WineRacks.com is here to help you along the way.
As we discuss in our guide on How To Build a Wine Cellar, most experts recommend an average temperature of 55°F for all wine storage with an ideal humidity of between 60-70%. Wine stored below 50°F will hardly age while wine will literally cook at temperatures above 80°F.
If the space you have chosen for your wine racks& cellar is absolutely ideal in all but temperature than your best bet would be to buy a cooling unit. Most modern wine cellar cooling units monitor and control both temperature and humidity which allows your wines to age wines under perfect conditions.
After all, without the ideal elements of storage, your wine collection could be greatly affected.
Of course, the choice of a wine cooling unit is not a one size fits all matter. Wine cellar cooling units must be made to exact standards in order to perform the important task of protecting your investment.
There are quite a few variables that one should consider before choosing the size and type of cooling unit that they will place in their cellar. These factors include the location of the room, the climate of your location, the total dimensions of your wine cellar, and the manner of insulation.
Through the Wall Wine Cellar Cooling Unit
Also Check: Is Moonshine Illegal In Illinois
Top 12 Best Wine Cellar Cooling Systems
- Breezaire WKL-2200 â $ â Up to 265 cubic feet
- CellarCool CX2200 â $ â Up to 265 cubic feet
- WhisperKool SC-2000i â $$ â Up to 300 cubic feet
- WhisperKool Slimline 2500 â $$ â Up to 350 cubic feet
- WhisperKool SC 3000i â $$ â Up to 650 cubic feet
- Wine Guardian D025 â $$$$ â Up to 800 cubic feet
- WhisperKool Platinum 4000 â $$$$ â Up to 1000 cubic feet
- Breezaire WKL4000 â $$ â Up to 1000 cubic feet
- WhisperKool SC 6000i â $$$ â Up to 1500 cubic feet
- Wine Guardian D050 â $$$$$ â Up to 1500 cubic feet
- WhisperKool SC 8000i â $$$ â Up to 2000 cubic feet
- WhisperKool Extreme 8000ti â $$$$ â Up to 2000 cubic feet
What Are The Most Effective Wine Cellar Cooling Systemss
Since your company probably deals with a variety of items, you’ll need a device that can adapt to different sizes, weights, heights, etc. It may be smaller and cheaper, but it has high quality despite its size and cost.
Different wine cellar cooling systemss are available in the market today for accomplishing common office tasks.
Also Check: Malibu Safari Hike
Are They Available In Different Sizes
Yes, wine cellar cooling units are available in different physical sizes, depending on the physical requirements for your installation space. Additionally, they are also available to cater for different sized cellars, with some being able to cool cellars from 250+ cubic feet, all the way through to 1500+ cubic feet, which we cover in this article.
How Do Wine Cellar Cooling Units Work
Wine cellar cooling units work by introducing cool air into your cellar while at the same time removing warm air and cycling it through its compressor, which condenses it. Condensing both cools the air and removes humidity from it. Excess humidity is then removed from the wine room via drain line or active evaporation within the cooling unit. Most wine cellar cooling units are calibrated to keep the cellar at a constant temperature and humidity level 55 degrees Fahrenheit with relative humidity of about 70%. In addition to these functions, many advanced wine cellar cooling units can be made to work in extremely hot or cold environments with the use of core heaters, beefier components and oversized starters, compressors and fan motors. At the end of the day all cooling systems will exchange cool air for warm, remove or introduce excess humidity and keep the room at ideal aging temperatures for wine.
Don’t Miss: How Many Ounces Wine Bottle
The Problem With Wine Cooling Units
Today, the vast majority of wine connoisseurs control their wine cellar temperature using a compressor-powered cooling systems. The same technology is also used for small wine cellars and wine fridges. It relies on the compression of a gas to create cool. By compressing the gas, the wine cooling unit creates heat. This heat is then unloaded. The cooling system then proceeds to start the reverse process through a tiny hole. When the pressure of the gas collapse, the opposing reaction happens: cold air is created! Can we build a better wine cellar cooling units?
The first cooling systems, dated from the 1800s, were functioning by compressing air and sending it through a small orifice and ice was created. Today, instead of using air as a gas, Freon is utilizeda sophisticated gas that offers better results in terms of efficiency, temperature control and resistance to pressure. In time, compressor-based wine cooling systems emerged into the market using the same technology as refrigerator . They were and still are designed to deliver low temperature much lower than the optimal temperature of 14 to 16 °C required to age wine perfectly. Compressors used in wine cellars are built to keep a temperature of 45 °C.
Split Wine Cellar Cooling System
A split cooling system will place the condenser unit outside and is ideal for larger areas where you do not want a lot of noise. They are extremely quiet and practically vibration-free. If you need a wine cellar cooling system but space is an issue, this is a great option. Split wine cellar cooling systems are ductless and can be installed indoors or outdoors. There is a lot of flexibility when it comes to installation of these units.
Also Check: How Many Ounces A Bottle Of Wine
How Do I Choose A Wine Cellar Cooling Unit
Choosing the right wine cellar cooling unit is a matter of knowing four things: how many cubic feet you will be cooling , is the space constructed properly for housing a wine collection , will there be high or low foot traffic in and out of the wine room, and where will you be exhausting the warm air? This last question is important to answer ahead of time because it will help you decide between the three main cooling system types: through-wall , split or ducted (unit is above or adjacent to the wine cellar and ducts air to and from it.
Common Cooling Unit Mistakes To Avoid
At CellarPro, we believe that creating a temperature-controlled wine cellar should be enjoyablewhich is why it’s important to “do your homework” upfront. By thoroughly researching cooling units and planning for your cellar’s refrigeration, you can save yourself time, expense, and frustration in the long run.
Let us explain how you can avoid 5 common pitfalls we’ve seen customers make when selecting a cooling unit for their cellars.
Choosing a Unit: Where Do I Start?
The first thing you need to do is to determine the thermal load of your wine cellar: the amount of energy required to cool space to the desired temperature in an hour. Your thermal load, measured in BTUH, decides the capacity or size of the cooling unit you need.
Avoid Common Mistake #1: Don’t select a cooling unit based solely on the size or volume of the wine cellar.
Just because a wine cellar is small doesn’t necessarily mean that its thermal load will be small. For example, the thermal load of a 6’w x 2’d x 8’h wine cellarwith a volume of 96 cubic feet, 75°F ambient temperature, a desired cellar temperature of 55°F, and R19 insulationis 681 BTUH.
Now let’s imagine that 2 of the walls are uninsulated concrete below grade. In that case, the thermal load jumps to 969. What if the front and both side walls are glass? The thermal load jumps to 2957 BTUH or 1540 BTUH !
Avoid Common Mistake #2: Don’t size the unit too small. Err on the side of caution and more cooling power.
Planning for Exhaust and Intake
Don’t Miss: White Wine With Lasagna
Which Brands Can You Trust
My number one brand for wine cellar cooling units is Wine Guardian. Yes, some of their models can be more expensive… but these cooling units are made from commercial-grade materials and are engineered to last. All of their units ship to you for free.
They are trusted by the leading custom wine cellar companies for a reason.
Other than Wine Guardian, there are a ton of wine cellar cooling units on the market today, so it can be a challenge trying to find a reputable one to fit your cellar. With that in mind, I’ve rounded up the best in class, as reviewed by the most current and satisfied owners for each specific size:
- Split system – WhisperKool Extreme 8000ti
For wine cellars over 2000 cubic feet in size I suggest Wine Guardian, in either their ducted or split-system. These are premium systems built for years of service. At this size of cubic feet and over, you’re likely getting into some serious volume storage of developing fine wines. Your wine collection is just too substantial to risk.
The most economical cooling units that still get excellent reviews are manufactured by CellarCool. Each unit is carefully pre-tested and calibrated before they ship them out. These are all through-the-wall units. They’re made in the U.S.A. and offer a 2-year warranty, and a 5-year warranty on the compressor.
For wine cellars up to 265 cubic feet
The Best Way To Preserve Open Wine
The best way to preserve an open bottle of wine is a question whose answer is composed of a matrix of temperature, humidity, light, time and personal taste. There is no perfect answer, but some options are better than others.
If a trusty wine preserver is one of the best accessories that every wine drinker should own, how do you chose one? Just like with wine aerators, there are all sorts of gadgets claiming they are the best wine savers on the market. Ive spent almost two decades working on how to preserve wine once opened, so I have some strong opinions. Nonetheless, I explored new alternatives for this piece in case something I had not heard about had popped onto the market.
Hot Tip: In addition to exploring the many wine preservation possibilities below, lets also consider that a smart wine preservation strategy starts before you ever open a bottle. That is, it starts with storing wine properly. Theres no point in saving opened wine thats wasnt good even before it was opened!
Recommended Reading: Red Wine Out Of White Shirt
Don’t Miss: Ounces In 750 Ml Bottle
