How to Install a Wine Cooler

Learn how to set up any wine cooler in this nifty guide. You will find pertinent information—from free-standing to built-in wine refrigerators and everything in between. Setting up a wine cooler is a straightforward process when you understand the process.

You need to set up a wine cooler properly for the best performance. Built-in wine refrigerators have their ventilation on the front side for sufficient air circulation. Most built-in wine coolers have a 30-inch or 15-inch breadth and thus can fit in most cabinet spaces. For a successful installation process keep the following in mind:

Exact measurements are essential to maintain the integration of the indoor or outdoor kitchen space or wine parlor. When the dimensions are too small, the built-in wine refrigerator will fit in too tight, conducting its vibrations on the adjacent cabinets. When the measurements exceed the size of the wine cooler, there will be too much space around the unit.

Make sure your wine cooler is going to be close enough to an outlet, but also that it will work with the chosen outlet. A regular-sized built-in wine refrigerator runs on a standard home outlet. However, larger units may require a larger outlet to operate. When connecting the wine cooler to the socket, plug in the appliance before moving it into place, leaving enough space for the cord.

Most coolers have adjustable feet that are covered by the vent. These legs can be adjusted to bring the cooler to a proper height and to keep it level. Keeping it level is important because it will reduce the vibration from the machine. If your cooler is off balance, it won’t be able to stay still and will shake while in place. Avoid this by double-checking that the machine is level while installing.

If you have an outdoor kitchen appliance, you probably already have a designated area for your wine cooler. You should consider a couple of things if you are still deciding. Ensure the appliance is not close to other heat-emitting electrical equipment like the outdoor kitchen grill. The radiated heat will affect the internal temperature of the wine cooler, making it difficult to maintain the set temperature.

Aside from providing additional protection for your wine cooler, custom panels or overlays are excellent for making your unit blend with your kitchen design. You can make the paneling match your cabinet's color or make them pop out with an accent color. Trims and panels are a simple way of enhancing the room's aesthetics or helping keep the room décor together.

Stand-alone wine coolers are perfect for displays. Complement their attractiveness by installing LED lights, wine glass panels, or a kegerator. They are suitable for indoor and outdoor kitchens, bars, or any place where wine enthusiasts gather. Free-standing wine refrigerators also function as wine cellars when they are not running on electricity. They can keep the wine chilled so long as the doors remain shut. Their setup is simple, but there are a few things to remember.

A free-standing wine cooler has plenty of options, but it does still need its own space. Keep it away from heat-producing appliances. The heat from surrounding appliances can affect the internal temperature of the cooler and the wines inside. Another thing to consider is the size of your cooler. Is it small and going to be close to a living space, or is it taller and needs to be close to the cooking area?

Ensure that your cooler is given plenty of room around the back and is not kept in tight spaces. Free-standing wine coolers have their ventilation in the back and require some amount of room to exhaust heat. If the cooler can’t let off the heat, it will not only affect the performance but will also cause a fire hazard to the surrounding items.

Both free-standing and built-in wine refrigerators provide specific functions. Built-in coolers are a little less wide and can fit in tighter spaces because they are designed to fit in with surrounding cabinets and appliances. This allows built-ins to fit in with any room layout. Stand-alone coolers are designed a little bigger and need more room for a breather. This makes them great for more storage but will need intentional thought on how I will fit in.