Countertop Archives - CoolerVino

NutriChef 12 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler

In today’s wine fridge review we’ll check out the NutriChef 12 Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler. This a modest sized thermoelectric style cooler that will work as either a freestanding or countertop unit. It has a lot of great features and is a popular buy at the moment, so let’s dive right into the details to see if this might be the right wine cooler for you.

Product Details

Let’s start by looking at the size. This wine cooler is 9.9 inches wide, 19.7 inches deep, and 25 inches tall. This means it doesn’t take up a whole lot of horizontal space, whether on your countertop or free-standing on the floor. Remember that you’ll want to have a bit of buffer room between the rear of the fridge and the wall in order to get the most effective cooling from the thermoelectric unit.

This model has precise digital temperature control. Unlike some models, the controls are on the exterior so there is no need to open the door and let cool air escape if you want to adjust the temperature.

The 12 bottle capacity is achieved with 8 bottles positioned horizontally on racks and 4 bottles standing upright. This configuration makes it a little easier to store the occasional odd-shaped bottle. It also allows you to easily keep opened bottles cool.

The manufacturer backs their product with a one-year warranty. This is always a good sign because it allows you to buy with confidence.

Pros and Cons

You can adjust the temperature between a range of 50-64° Fahrenheit (10-18°C). So long as you don’t allow the ambient room temperature in your home float up above 75 degrees you can expect this unit to reliably cool down to whichever temperature you choose in this range. This will allow you to keep wine at the optimal temperature for long-term storage. You can also keep your red wines at your preferred ready-to-drink temperature. Furthermore, the cooling power is effective enough to even keep full-bodied white wines, such as Chardonnay, at a good serving temperature.

This model looks great with a genuine stainless steel door and interior LED lighting. Some coolers made by other brands go a little cheap by using metallic colored plastic on the door and handle instead of real stainless steel like we have here.

The fan runs quietly enough that you’ll probably never notice it. And the temperature inside really holds nicely and doesn’t jump around. This is the whole point with getting a wine cooler fridge in the first place, so this is really a strong point.

The only real downside I can see for this model is that it might not be large enough for some potential buyers. This really will depend on you and your wine-drinking habits.

If you are the type who collects a few bottles here and there, buys a few bottles when you visit the supermarket, but also tends to drink a couple bottles per week, then a 12-bottle capacity cooler will probably be plenty.

If you think you might want a little more space, NutriChef also makes an 18-Bottle Wine Cooler that is worth checking out. Aside from the larger capacity, the main difference with the 18-bottle model is that all of the bottles sit inside laying horizontally.

Buying Recommendation

Obviously, if you want a large wine fridge or a dual-zone cooler than this isn’t the one for you. Otherwise, if you are looking for a super-dependable wine cooler with a 12 bottle capacity, this one should do the trick.

This is also a great wine cooler if you’re shopping for a gift for either the holidays or someone’s birthday. It’s not so expensive as to break your budget, and yet they’ll be very impressed with its looks and functioning. Also, the size really fits into that sweet spot where it doesn’t seem like you’re just getting the smallest or cheapest cooler and yet it isn’t so large that they would have trouble finding a place to put it in their kitchen or living room.

Igloo 6-Bottle Wine Cooler Review

In today’s review, we’re gong to look at the highly-popular Igloo 6-Bottle Wine Cooler. This is a nifty little countertop model that looks slick, gets tons of positive reviews, and has the backing of a well-known appliance brand.

If you happen to be reading this and it’s still before the holidays, you also might want to consider this small wine cellar as a potential gift for those on your Christmas shopping list.

Product Details

Igloo makes wine refrigerators in a number of sizes, but this particular model is built for 6 bottles and sized to fit on your countertop. The arrangement is 3 vertical rows of 2 bottles each, which is a logical design that minimizes the appliance’s footprint.

It features a double-layer glass door, black exterior, interior LED light, and wire shelving. The cooling is accomplished with a thermoelectric cooling unit, which is most typical for wine coolers in this size range. The temperature can be adjusted to a range of about 46 to 64 degrees F.

Pros and Cons

Igloo’s 6-Bottle cooler has a sleek, modern black design and looks great in any kitchen. The size is perfect for someone who just wants to keep a few bottles of wine cooled to a good storage and serving temperature. The target customer is probably someone who enjoys wine but isn’t a hardcore collector or connoisseur. It’s also ideal for a grad student or young professional living in a smallish apartment without lots of room to spare for a bulky wine fridge.

The price of under $70 (at the time of writing) also makes this the perfect first wine cooler or gift item for a wine-loving friend.

It cools well, but you have to remember how thermoelectric coolers function in order to get the best performance. As a general rule, solid-state thermoelectric wine coolers can only achieve a difference in interior-to-exterior temperature of about 25 degrees F. So if it’s 85 degrees in your kitchen, you’ll have a hard time getting the cooler to chill down any lower than 60.

Furthermore, thermoelectric coolers need some space to function properly. They work by transferring heat to the outside air, and in order for the outside air to not remain too warm you’ve got to keep the back side of the cooler spaced away from a wall. One foot of space will provide for enough air circulation to do the trick.

Buying Recommendation

I’d recommend getting this model if you are a casual wine drinker who just needs to keep several bottles at a good temperature. If should hold enough wine to last you between trips to the supermarket. This is also a great product to give as a gift for a novice wine lover. The slick design will look great in most anybody’s home, and they’ll love the experience of popping open a bottle of properly cooled red wine vs one that has been sitting around at full room temperature.

If you are really serious about establishing a wine collection, then of course you’ll want to purchase a larger model for your home, perhaps a 28-30 bottle capacity wine cooler.

Igloo 8-Bottle Wine Cooler Review

The Igloo 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is a wine cooling system with adjustable temperature designed to keep your wines—white or red—at your desired temperature. The 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is relatively compact (22″ deep, 16″ wide), while adding a level of class and sophistication to your kitchen or dining room. Any dinner guests or friends you have over will be impressed with your care and your treatment of wine. This is also one of the most affordable models on the market.

The 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is able to hold a total of—you guessed it—eight bottles of your favorite wines. And the wire shelves are also able to slide right out.

This wine cooler has a one-button temperature regulator, so there is absolutely no learning curve to using this wine cooler. And the white interior light gives you an almost intrusive view into your wine bottles’ contents, allowing you to judge for yourself the quality of the wines you have in stock almost instantly.

But for a more in-depth analysis of this product, let’s look at the pros and cons of this model.

Pros

The design of the 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is simple, compact, and generally will be an unobtrusive addition to your kitchen and/or dining setup.
I like how quiet it is for keeping wine cool.
You will definitely save on the amount of electricity used over the bigger wine cooling systems.
8-Bottle Wine Cooler is portable for the most part. It is compact and can be store in a variety of places. This is NOT JUST for kitchen use. You can store it in the bedroom closet or even use it for the camper. All you really need is an outlet.

Cons

You are obviously limited to 8 bottles. For many people this is plenty, but if you’re a wine collector, then you’ll want to move on to a larger model.
I heard that the product may eventually overheat, and become loud over a period of a year and a half or so. But it really depends on how well you take care of it.

Overall, the Igloo 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is not a bad model when you consider its low price. Some buyers, however, might like to spend just a little more to get comparably sized unit with added features such as wooden shelves or different styling.

Avanti 12-Bottle Thermoelectric Countertop Wine Cooler Review

The Avanti EWC1201 12 Bottle Wine Cooler is a unique wine storage appliance designed for use at home. It runs quietly and efficiently. Its interior allows you to store wines both in a horizontal and vertical position to accommodate four open bottles. It is environment-friendly, and I love the fact that it uses a digital controller to regulate its internal temperature.

Product Features

No Vibrations

The Avanti 12 Bottle Wine Cooler operates without any vibration because it does not use a compressor. There are no moving parts inside except for small fans that circulate the cooled air. It uses a thermoelectric design to cool its interior. It is the kind of cooler that is pleasant to use at your home because of its silent operation. I find the quality of the wine after being stored inside it to be similar to what you get from use of an actual wine cellar.

Classic Cabinet Design

Its classic design looks great on the kitchen counter or in the bedroom. It has just enough decoration to make it blend with other electronic appliances. Its digital display panel gives it a look of a modern kitchen appliance designed to perfection.

Compact Design

The compact design which takes more vertical space than horizontal space means that you do not waste much of your kitchen counter space. If you have an open kitchen, you will love showing off this unique wine cooler.

Silent Operation

I like the fact this wine cooler does not make any noise when working to cool your wine. I enjoy the fact I can have it in my bedroom and forget it is even there. If you like to meditate or do other activities that require a silent environment, then you will love this wine cooler. It cools your wine and stays silent at the same time.

Power Efficiency

Without the use of a compressor, they were able to not only avoid vibration and noise—they lowered its power consumption as well. You can rest assured your energy bill will not shoot up because you bought this great wine cooler.

Environmentally Friendly

No compressor means this wine cooler has no Freon in it as well. I find that to be a great relief when buying it. It just feels good knowing that you are not polluting the environment at the same time that you indulge yourself.

Pros

It is efficient. Your energy bills will not be affected much.
It is easy to operate and allows storage of four bottles vertically and eight horizontally.
Blends well with other kitchen appliances.
Operates silently, you can sleep with it in your bedroom. Great for those living in a studio apartment.
Does not vibrate when in the running. Your wine’s sediment, therefore, remains undisturbed just like in a wine cellar.

Cons

The door is a little fragile. You have to open it with care to avoid making it come off the hinges.
This is not a chiller. You can only use it to store wine down to 53 degrees Fahrenheit. Fine for reds, but whites might need extra chilling before serving.

Conclusion

Even though you will not be able to use this model to chill your white wine, you can happily use it to store both reds and whites without ruining their unique character. I like it that I can have a micro wine cellar at my kitchen counter. And the vertical orientation of this unit gives it a very small footprint on your countertop. The ability to store 4 open bottles upright is another unique feature that will appeal to some. It would make a special gift for any wine lover you know.

Igloo FRW133 12-Bottle Wine Cooler Review

The Igloo FRW133 12-Bottle Wine Cooler is the perfect wine cooler for storage of a modest wine stash at home. I like it that it can hold up to 12 bottles and cool them down to 52 degrees. It does that without making any noise like a regular fridge does. I find its unique compact design blends very well with my other kitchen appliances.

Product Features

Holds a Maximum of 12 Bottles

This wine mini cooler is everything you need at home for storing your wines. It can cool them down to 52 degrees Fahrenheit, which is below the recommended temperature of 55°F for storing wine. So you can safely store your wines for as long as you want. For many casual wine drinkers, this 12 bottle capacity is plenty.

Digital Temperature Control

It uses a micro-controller to keep its internal temperature in check. That is helpful when you are looking for a stabilized temperature to store your wine. All I have to do is set the right temperature on its digital display panel, and then the micro-controller will do the rest. It does not cool the wine instantly. However, it does hold the temperature constant once it reaches the temperature you have set.

Adjustable Interior Space

I found out that you can take out the shelves to increase the interior space of a row if you need to. That is helpful when you have bigger wine bottles to store.

Double Layer Glass Design

The double layered glass design improves its cooling capability. That is because the gap of air between panes of glass slows heats loss by convection. It also offers addition structural strength to this compact wine cooler.

Thermoelectric Cooling System

The Igloo FRW133 12-Bottle Wine Cooler is environment-friendly. It does not use a compressor to cool its interior. It, therefore, does not pollute the environment with Freon, a coolant in compressors.

Silent Operation

Since this mini cooler uses a thermoelectric cooling system instead of a compressor, it can run more quietly as compared to other cooling systems. You can have it in your bedroom, and you will sleep comfortably without being kept awake by noise. The only moving parts are small fans that help to circulate the cooled air in its interior.

No Vibrations

Another advantage of this type of cooling system is a lack of vibrations. That means your wine’s sediments stay undisturbed for the entire duration of storage. Therefore, when you finally take out the wine, you can enjoy its crispy taste because it will taste like any professionally stored wine. After that, you will not want to store your wines in your fridge again.

Pros

It’s super silent compared to a fridge. You can have it in the kitchen or even in your bedroom.
The compact size of this wine cooler is ideal for conserving spaces in your kitchen.
Its unique design makes it easy to blend it with the rest of the kitchen appliances.
Sufficient capacity for many wine lovers.

Cons

The cooling only goes down to 52 degrees F. So it’s not ideal for chilling white wines down to serving temps.
If you want to take out the shelf, you have to open the door by at least 90 degrees.
Open the door with care. It can come off its hinges if you are not careful.

Conclusion

This wine cooler cannot chill your white wines to 50 degrees F or below. If you, however, want to store your wine, it will do a perfect job. It is environmentally friendly and does not make disturbing noises. I also love its unique design that blends with other kitchen appliances. It is a great small-capacity wine storage device to have at home. I find it to be the kind of wine cooler I would give someone as a gift.

FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler Review

In recent years, wine coolers have moved out of the realm of wine snobbery and into the mainstream. It’s not just people with expensive and rare vintages who are interested in these handy appliances, but everyday wine drinkers who would like to keep a few bottles at the perfect drinking temperature. While the perception about wine fridges has changed, many still aren’t suitable for the average sized home. And if space is at a premium in your kitchen, finding a wine chiller that will fit in will be a challenge.

One option for those who would like a compact, freestanding cellar is the FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler. It looks good, can easily fit inside most kitchens, and is a cinch to operate. But does its performance stack up? Here’s a closer look at this fun little electric wine cooler.

Details

Size

The most notable feature of the FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is its size. It’s only 16 inches wide, 19.5 inches deep, and 11 inches tall, making it a candidate for counter top storage or to go into tight spaces. Whether you have a large kitchen or a very small one, you can probably find a place to fit this chiller and have room to spare.

Operation

Out of the box, the product looks good and only needs to be plugged in and allowed to chill before it’s used. It has two shelves that each hold four bottles, for a total capacity of eight wine bottles. The fan inside of the FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is thermoelectric, energy efficient, reduces vibration, and runs relatively quietly. It’s not silent by any means, but it definitely won’t drown out what’s going on in your home. You’ll eventually get used to the sound and stop noticing it.

Temperature Control

To control the fridge you use its electronic touchpad, and the temperature is displayed an the LED screen. Here’s where this cooler can get iffy. It doesn’t always reach the temperature that it’s set to. Usually this happens when you don’t position the unit with enough space for ventilation. Make sure you keep it about 2 inches from the wall for best functioning. The lowest the temperature can be set to 44 degrees F. That makes this model best for red wines, as you might need to pop whites into the fridge for a bit before drinking. Still, if you’re a big red drinker and you don’t need tons of storage, this cooler could fit the bill.

Pros

The FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler has some features and benefits that we worth noting:

It’s small and can fit in just about any kitchen space.
Its color palette and design are neutral enough to complement most decor styles.
This fridge is easy to set up and use.
It holds eight bottles, which will meet the needs of many.

Cons

For all its good features, this wine cooler has some points of concern:

It’s temperature control isn’t 100% reliable.
If you need to store more than eight bottles, this isn’t a good option.

Summary

If you most frequently drink red wine, or you don’t mind using this cooler just for storing reds, its price point makes it a decent option. It’s small, has no fuss operation, and works for the most part. However, if you’re thinking of storing sparkling wines or whites, and your intent is to get a cooler that will keep them at drinking temperature, it’s best to look into a different cooler.

Haier 6-Bottle Wine Cellar Review

Wine coolers can be handy to have, whether you want to keep your bottles at an optimal temperature or you’re simply looking to prolong the life of extra wine in your stash. A potential problem, however, is that the vast majority of wine coolers are large and don’t fit easily into modestly sized kitchens.

For those who would like a counter top storage option, the number of suitable models available is small. The Haier 6-Bottle Wine Cellar is the ideal solution for those who want a wine chiller but have limited space. It also includes many handy features and electronic controls.

Details

Once this cooler is delivered, you’ll notice how light it is compared to other models that hold the same amount of wine. Don’t be fooled by its size, though, as the Haier 6-Bottle Wine Cellar is a well rounded machine. The temperature inside of the chiller is controlled by a blue LCD display, and inside is a thermoelectric cooling system that’s pleasantly quiet. If you’ve ever heard the loud hum of larger coolers, you’ll be able to appreciate how quietly this one runs.

Because this model is so compact, you can put it almost anywhere—on the counter, under the counter, by your pantry, on a pantry shelf—the options are just about endless. It’s even possible to take it with you in an RV because its dimensions are small: 9.9 inches wide, 20.3 inches in depth, and 14.1 inches high.

The fridge has three shelves that each hold two bottles of wine, and it’s suitable whether you need to store red or white varieties. Aside from its great function and practicality, this model is notable because of its aesthetics. It has a very sleek, modern, and stylish look and is well worth considering if appearance is important to you. To put it plainly, you’ll have no problems putting this machine on display, and you’ll probably even get compliments on it.

Pros

Though this wine cellar is relatively small, it packs a lot of benefits:

It can easily fit on most counter tops, or even under the counter.
The interior lighting is soft and not harsh.
The door’s design is curved, which looks nice and is practical.
You can very easily adjust the thermostat on this chiller with the touch of a button.
Red and white wines are suitable for this Haier model.

Cons

There are few drawbacks to this wine fridge, but here are some things to consider:

You can only hold six bottles of wine in this model, so it’s not ideal if you want to start a sizable collection.
The design is modern and largely comprised of black. And while it looks attractive, this chiller definitely won’t fit into every kitchen decor style.
The temperature display isn’t precisely accurate, although it’s not usually far off the mark.

Summary

Though this wine cooler won’t meet everyone’s needs, for those who have a smaller collection of vintages or the causal wine drinker who wants an effective storage solution, the Haier 6-Bottle Wine Cellar is a good pick. It’s price makes it even more of a value, and the well built chiller will give you many years of use.

Kalamera 12-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler Review

The Kalamera 12-Bottle Thermoelectric Wine Cooler is designed to keep your wines at the perfect temperature. It perfectly fits on the kitchen counter, and I love the fact that does not make any noise like a regular fridge does. I like the fact that it is lightweight and compact, which makes it ideal when you want to conserve space in the kitchen.

Features of the Kalamera 12-Bottle Wine Cooler

Silent Operation

Unlike regular refrigerators, this thermoelectric wine cooler does not have a compressor. It, therefore, runs almost silent. There are just a few small fans to help circulate the cold air inside to cool it evenly.

Low Vibration

Unlike the refrigerators that experience vibrations when the compressor runs, this thermoelectric wine cooler has zero vibrations. The wine stored inside therefore stays undisturbed. The wine’s sediments are therefore able to settle down, allowing you to enjoy a crisp fruity taste of your wine.

Upgraded Appearance

The stainless steel door frame, glass door, and the steel side give this wine cooler an elegant look. The sleek beach wood shelves can be seen through the glass, giving it a combination of classy and modern look. It gives the kitchen an additional decoration with its cool blue LED lights.

Compact Size

The compact size comes from its thermoelectric cooling design. Without the compressor to take much space, its design is compact enough not to be wasteful of space. I love that I can put it on the counter top if I want and not feel that it is taking too much space.

Temperature Controls

The temperature controls of this thermoelectric wine cooler make it one of the best wine coolers. The controls use microcontroller chips that continuously check the interior temperature of the wine cooler. They make sure it does not fall or rise above what I have set on the temperature control panel. It is that easy to manage its temperature.

Efficient

A fridge’s compressor motor takes a lot of power compared to this Wine Cooler’s thermoelectric cooling system. That is why it can run with as little wattage as 70W. Keeping in mind that I rarely open it, it ends up using much less power after the initial temperature stabilization.

Environment Friendly

A refrigerator uses Freon in their compressors as a coolant, which is a known pollutant. The Kalamera Thermoelectric Wine Cooler does not have a compressor neither does it use Freon as a coolant. It is, therefore, environment-friendly.

Pros

I find its compact size to be perfect for kitchen storage of wines.
The temperature can drop to 53 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it perfect for wine storage.
I love that I cannot hear any sound while it is running. It is just the kind of cooler you want around the house if you enjoy silence at night.
Beautiful Design. Not many other small models come with beech wood shelving.

Cons

It might have trouble cooling to below 52 degrees Fahrenheit. So it is fine for red and white wine storage, but you may need extra chilling to bring white wine bottles to ideal serving temperature.
I always find it impossible to pull out the shelves without opening the door at least 90 degrees.

Red wines are what I mostly enjoy, and I do not need to chill them down below about 55 degrees to store and serve. That is why I find this model to be just perfect. Its ability to run silently is a blessing, especially at night.

Perfect for the casual red wine drinker looking for a compact, yet efficient cooler for under $150. I would recommend it to a friend. It would also make an excellent gift.