Can you Put Wine Fridge in Cabinet? (Know Facts)
You might consider getting a wine fridge to keep your wine at the best temperature.
However, you might need more space for a standalone wine fridge. In this case, you may wonder if you can put a wine fridge in a cabinet.
(Drum roll)
The answer to your question is yes, you can install a wine refrigerator in a cabinet, though there are some factors to consider.
In this article, we’ll discuss some key factors to remember when installing a wine refrigerator in a cabinet. We’ll also look at types of vents in wine fridges and types of fridges you can put in a cabinet.
Proper Ventilation for Wine Fridge
If you plan to install a wine fridge in a cabinet, you should understand how it works. All wine refrigeration systems rely on the movement of room-temperature air to dissipate accumulated heat away from the refrigerator and its components.
Heat-expelling parts in a refrigerator can become overworked, overheated, and fail, or the refrigerator’s internal temperature can rise dramatically, compromising the quality and shelf-life of wines stored there.
And wine refrigerator cooling systems fall into two categories: Compressors and Thermoelectric.
Compressor systems rely on the pressurization of coolant or refrigerant to circulate throughout the cooling system. This allows them to produce cold air as it flexes back and forth between liquid and vapor states. Cooling the compressor and dissipating heat from the refrigerator requires proper ventilation. Overheating causes a compressor to wear out sooner and can even cause it to seize.
In thermoelectric systems, a heat pump and heat sink provide cooling via the thermoelectric effect instead of circulating refrigerant. In thermoelectric wine coolers, heat is removed from the fridge instead of being cooled.
Types of Vents in Wine Fridge
As we know, ventilation is essential to ensure proper temperature control and prevent overheating. So wine fridges usually have rear vents, side vents, and top vents.
Rear Vents – By their name, they are located on the back.
For wine fridges with ventilation grills on the back, you must set the unit far away from walls or similar objects or obstructions to allow air to flow freely in and out.
Side Vents – Located on the side of the wine refrigerator, side vents require a clearance of about 1 to 2 inches between them and an obstruction to circulate fresh air effectively.
Top Vents – A few wine refrigerators have vents on the top, which require clearance of at least 2 to 3 inches for the cooling system to dissipate heat effectively.
Types of Fridges you can Put in Cabinet
Freestanding Wine Fridge
The design of freestanding wine coolers allows them to be used anywhere, and adding a freestanding wine cooler to your kitchen can give your kitchen an elegant look. They are designed to be standalone appliances.
You should select a location away from direct heat sources when placing them. A freestanding wine cooler should also be located in a room with adequate air circulation and relatively cool during the summer.
Tips to Install Freestanding Wine Fridge in Cabinet
As a single tip, I recommend avoiding installing freestanding wine coolers inside cabinets or tight spaces as ventilation gets blocked. Having the cabinets built around the cooler would slow the cooling process.
If you’re still considering installing them in a tight space, I’d recommend a minimum of 7 to 12 cm should be allowed on all sides of the unit, including the ones above and behind it. In this way, warm and cold exhaust air circulates through the air space of the unit.
Can you put a Freestanding Wine Fridge Under Counter?
A straight no to this. Under no circumstances should a freestanding wine refrigerator be installed under the counter. It would be difficult for a wine fridge (freestanding or built-in) to keep the temperature low and maintain that temperature if it were placed under the counter.
Built In Wine Fridge
Wine coolers with built-in ventilation grilles are also known as under-counter wine coolers. They are usually found under refrigerator doors or on the bottom.
With this feature, this type of fridge can be installed in tight spaces where a freestanding unit would struggle to operate.
Most built-in wine coolers feature mood lighting inside, and their glass doors come in either polished stainless steel or smoked glass giving the room a beautiful appearance.
Tips to Install Built-In Wine Fridge in Cabinet
Installing a built-in refrigerator can be more challenging than installing a freestanding cooler. Usually, vents at the front and bottom of built-in refrigerators allow cool air to enter and warm air to exit.
When installing your built-in cooler, make sure the vents are not blocked. Some people mistakenly position the appliance in front of or too close to a wall. This may lead to overheating.
Conclusion
It’s possible to install a wine cooler in a cabinet if there is enough ventilation space and the vents are not blocked.
Not yet sure where to keep wine fridge, here’s our guide on 8 Best Places to Put Wine Fridge.
Consider the above-mentioned tips if you plan to install a wine cooler in a cabinet and you will enjoy sipping the best wine at home.