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The Ultimate Guide To Buying A Wine Fridge

Whether you’re a casual wine drinker who enjoys a nice glass of wine or you have an incredible wine collection, having a dedicated wine fridge in your home will make your enjoyment of wine even better. From preserving the wine to showcasing your collection, wine fridges and wine cellars are your must-have appliance.

It can be tricky to know which wine fridge is best for your needs, so our experts have put together this guide to buying a wine fridge with answers to the most frequently asked questions about wine fridges — and we’ve included special product insights from the latest wine fridges to hit the market from Silhouette.

What Size Wine Fridge Do I Need?

Line drawing of built-in measurements with indicators for electrical access and cabinet measurements.

Choosing the right size for your wine fridge is fundamental to your purchasing decision. Wine fridges come in various capacities, typically ranging from 12 to over 200 bottles.

Factors to Consider:

  • Current Collection: Assess how many bottles you currently own and how many you plan to buy in the future.
  • Available Space: Measure the area in your home where you want the fridge to go. Consider the height, width, and depth to ensure a proper fit.

Recommendations:
If you’re a casual wine drinker, the Silhouette Pro Gen 3 24” Wine & Beverage Center is an excellent choice. It’s compact enough for smaller spaces yet capable of storing a respectable collection — and it can store up to 79 cans too.

If you’re a more serious collector, the Silhouette Pro Gen 3 24” Dual Zone Wine Cellar provides ample storage while maintaining the perfect temperature for different types of wine — and it has an angled Easel Display for showcasing your collection.

What Temperature Range Should A Wine Fridge Be?

The ideal range for a wine fridge is between 41°F and 64°F (5°C to 18°C).

Silhouette wine fridge temperature panel in stainless steel with wine bottles above and below.

Recommended Temperatures To Store Wine:

  • Red Wines: Best stored between 55°F and 65°F (13°C to 18°C).
    Storing red wines in warmer temperatures will age the wine more quickly and negatively impact the aroma and flavors. Keeping your wine stored in an environment with a steady temperature is recommended.

EXPERT TIP: Storing your wine in your kitchen cabinets is a bad idea and will lead to your wine tasting more jammy or sour. Kitchens are typically too warm and too humid for safe red wine storage.

  • White Wines: Best stored between 45°F and 55°F (7°C to 12°C).
    Storing white wines in colder temperatures will mute the wines aromas and flavors and will cause the wine to lose its natural acidity which can make it taste dull or unbalanced.

EXPERT TIP: Storing your white wine in the fridge is a bad idea and will negatively impact your enjoyment of the wine. Fridges are typically 35-38°F (1-4°C) and are too cold.

Product Spotlight:

If you want to store both red and white wines, the Silhouette Pro Gen 3 24” Dual Zone Wine Cellar allows you to set two different temperatures, ensuring optimal storage conditions. It’s a great looking built-in that will fit seamlessly under your counters, and it has a charcoal filter, UV blocking glass, anti-vibration components, and LED side illumination.

Do I Need A Dual-Zone Wine Fridge?

Silhouette wine fridge in stainless steel with cans of beer on the upper shelf and wine bottles on the middle and lower shelves.

If you enjoy both red and white wines, a dual-zone wine fridge is highly beneficial. These fridges have separate compartments that maintain distinct temperatures.

Benefits of Dual-Zone Fridges:

  • Flexibility: Easily store both red and white wines without compromising on storage conditions.
  • Temperature Control: Each zone can be tailored to the specific needs of different types of wine.

The Silhouette Dual Zone Wine & Beverage Center is an excellent option for collectors who appreciate both wine and beer. This fridge features two independently controlled temperature zones, allowing you to keep wines at their optimal temperatures and cans of beer or coolers at a refreshing 45°F.

What Is The Difference Between A Wine Fridge & A Regular Refrigerator?

Image of a wine bottle in an empty fridge.

While both appliances can chill your beverages, a wine fridge is specifically designed for wine storage which makes a significant difference on the preserving the quality of your wines.

Key Differences Between A Wine Fridge & A Regular Fridge

  • Temperature Stability: Wine fridges maintain a consistent temperature, and this is vital for preserving wine quality. Regular fridges often fluctuate due to frequent door openings and their temperature is too cold, which will negatively impact the aroma and flavour of your wine.
  • Humidity Control: Proper humidity levels (around 50-80%) are essential for keeping corks moist. Corks play a key role in ensuring that the wine doesn’t have exposure to too much oxygen. If a cork dries out, your wine can taste sour or musty. Wine fridges are designed to maintain humidity levels.
  • Light Protection: Many wine fridges have UV-filtered glass doors, shielding your wine from harmful light exposure. Sunlight can cause a chemical reaction with the wine’s amino acids, resulting in an unpleasant taste and odour.

How Much Does A Wine Fridge Cost?

Silhouette wine fridge built into a black kitchen island with two stools next to the fridge and countertops and kitchen accessories in the background.

Wine fridges can vary significantly in price, ranging from a low $200 to over $15,000, depending on the size and features.

You will pay more for wine fridges that offer quality enhancements to protect the quality of your wine and fit seamlessly into your space. These features include:

  • Adjustable shelving
  • Anti-vibration components to not disturb the sediment
  • Attractive lighting features
  • Built-in design, to fit in existing cabinetry
  • Charcoal filters to eliminate odours
  • Door ajar alarms
  • Dual zone temperature control
  • Panel-ready design, to match existing cabinetry
  • Reversible doors
  • Showcase/display shelving
  • Soft-close doors
  • Temperature alarms
  • UV blocking glass to prevent sunlight damage to the wine
  • Wide and tall bottle storage

Is A Wine Fridge Energy Efficient?

Silhouette wine and beverage centre in stainless steel, built into a modern kitchen with wood grain cabinetry and an ENERGY STAR logo on one side.

Yes, many wine fridges are designed to be energy efficient. This is not only good for your wallet but also for the environment. Danby and Silhouette are proud to have a wide range of ENERGY STAR® certified wine fridges for customers to choose from.

Wine Fridge Shopping Tips:

  • Look for models that are Energy Star certified.
    The ENERGY STAR symbol is the internationally recognized and trusted mark of high efficiency. Behind every label is a product that is certified to use less energy and reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.
  • Choose a wine fridge with LED lighting.
    LED consumes less energy and generates less heat than traditional bulbs.

What Features Should I Look For In A Wine Fridge?

Silhouette wine fridge's charcoal filter puller out for a close-up view.

When choosing a wine fridge, consider features that will enhance your wine storage experience:

Key Wine Fridge Features To Consider:

  • UV Protection
  • Humidity Control
  • Adjustable Shelves
  • Single or Dual Zone Temperature Control
  • Locking Mechanism
  • Charcoal Filters
  • Soft-Close Door
  • ENERGY STAR Certification
  • Temperature Alarm
  • Panel-Ready To Match Your Cabinetry

The Silhouette Built-In Wine Cellar comes equipped with all the of the feature above and many more.

Where Should I Place My Wine Fridge?

Silhouette wine and beverage centre built into a modern white kitchen with white cabinets and white subway tiles in the background.

Placement is critical for maintaining optimal storage conditions.

Best Wine Fridge Placement:

  • Cool, Dark Area: Place your wine fridge in a space away from direct sunlight and heat sources, like floor vents, ovens, or dishwashers.
  • Well Ventilated: Ensure there’s adequate airflow around the fridge, especially if it’s a built-in.

How Long Will My Wine Last In A Wine Fridge?

Silhouette wine fridge Easel Display extended to showcase sparkling wines and white wines.

The lifespan of your wine can be significantly affected by its storage conditions.

General Lifespan Estimates When Stored In A Wine Fridge:

  • White Wines: Generally last 1-2 years when stored properly.
  • Red Wines: Can last several years or even decades, depending on the quality.

If you want to safely store both white and red wines, then we recommend a dual-zone wine fridge. A dual zone fridge will allow you to set individual temperatures for different areas of the fridge to ensure that your bottles are properly stored.

Are There Any Maintenance Tips for Wine Fridges?

Image of two hands in yellow cleaning gloves squeezing a cloth with soap and water bubbles. There is a bucket of water below the hands.

Proper maintenance will help to ensure that your wine fridge continues to operate efficiently and can prolong its lifespan.

Top Wine Fridge Maintenance Tips:

  • Regular Cleaning: Clean the interior and shelves to prevent mold and odors. We recommend using mild soap and warm water and avoiding harsh chemicals.
  • Check Seals: Ensure that your door seals are intact to maintain temperature.
  • Monitor Settings: Regularly check temperature and humidity levels to ensure they remain consistent.

For additional information, check out these FAQs.

This Ultimate Guide To Buying A Fridge outlines many important considerations when choosing your wine fridge, including: temperature control, storage capacity, energy efficiency, style and finish, humidity control, anti-vibration components, and filters for odor control, and much more. Ultimately, installing a wine fridge in your home will protect your bottles and will enhance the overall enjoyment of your wines. Check out Silhouette’s latest wine fridges and wine and beverage centers here. For some comparison, check out Danby’s range of wine fridges here. Cheers to enjoying your wines at their best!