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CDA Buying Advice – Wine Cooler Installation Guide

Can a freestanding wine cooler be built-in?

This is a commonly asked question when it comes to wine coolers, the answer to this question is no, a freestanding wine cooler cannot be installed into a built-in unit. Freestanding wine coolers are made to be freestanding as they are designed with a vent on the back of the cooler. If the wine cooler were to be placed directly against a wall or cabinet, thus blocking the vent, it would block and stop the heat from dissipating. If this continued the heat would build up and overheat affecting the temperature inside the cooler and eventually stopping the cooler from working all together. 

Built-in wine coolers have ventilation on the front on the cooler, so when they are installed the heat will dissipate through the front and won’t be blocked by anything. 

If a wine coolers vent is blocked the cooler is going to have to work twice as hard to cool down, meaning an increase in the amount of energy used causing the cooler to overwork. Your wine cooler needs to be installed in the correct conditions to work at its best. 

Can I put a wine cooler in a cabinet?

Yes, wine coolers can be installed in a cabinet, but only built in wine coolers. Freestanding wine coolers are not suitable to be installed inside of a cabinet or a tight space because the ventilation would be blocked. 

Wine coolers are usually located in the kitchen, but when you live in a smaller space such as a flat, then you are not always going to have the space to locate a wine cooler in your kitchen. This is when freestanding wine coolers come in use!

Freestanding wine coolers are great and they can really finish the look of your kitchen off, but if the space isn’t available then built-in is the better option. You can be sure that choosing a built-in option you are not downgrading, as they are just as exceptional.

How do you install a wine cooler under-counter?

Choosing a wine cooler is fun but knowing how to install it may not be. Follow our simple and easy steps, with top tips on what to look out for when installing an under counter wine cooler. 

Ventilation 

Assuring that there is the correct amount of ventilation is key to ensuring your wine cooler works effectively and efficiently. Luckily most under counter wine coolers come with front ventilation to make it easier when installing. But if you were buying a freestanding wine cooler then then vent would be located at the back meaning you would have to ensure there is enough space between the vent and another surface, for example a wall. As long as you ensure that when installing your wine cooler into the selected space you ensure that nothing is blocking the ventilation system. A handy tip is to make sure you have assessed all possible options on where you are going to place your cooler. 

Measurements 

Measurements are everything when it comes to installing a kitchen appliance, and the same goes for wine coolers. Before installing or even buying your wine cooler you must assess and analyse the space that you have and where you can display your wine cooler. If you have a small space then perhaps a slimline wine cooler would be appropriate. Or if you have cupboard space an integrated wine cooler would be a perfect addition to fit in that unwanted space. 

CDA’s most popular size wine cooler is the FWC304 30cm wine cooler. We also sell 15cm and 60cm wide wine coolers as well in a range of designs such as freestanding or built-in. 

It isn’t just the measurements that you need to take into consideration, it’s whether you have enough room to be able to open the doors fully. This tends to be something that a lot of people forget about when buying and installing a wine cooler and it is one of the main issues when it comes to usability. If you cannot fully open the door, it may become an annoying problem as you will struggle to reach certain areas within the cabinet, meaning you won’t be able to use the cooler to its full potential. 

The door may not be able to open fully because it has been installed too close to other surfaces, some wine coolers have doors within the exact width of the cabinet but others require more space. 

Power 

How are you going to power your wine cooler? If you have direct access to an electrical power outlet then you will be able to supply the cooler with power. CDA wine coolers don’t need to be hard wired. 

Location 

The location of your wine cooler is vital to ensure that it performs to its best. As mentioned before ventilation is needed so the location must have enough space to accommodate that. 

You should try to avoid placing your wine cooler in direct sunlight, or in an area of your home where the sun tends to shine a lot, as this could have a negative impact on the wine. UV rays can affect the taste and quality of your wine, therefore CDA wine coolers come equipped with UV-protective toughened smoke glass to help prevent sunlight damage. It is also important to acknowledge that if the sun is directly shining on your cooler, it is going to have to work harder to keep it cooler, meaning it will become less efficient over time. 

It is also ideal to look at the flooring that you will be placing your cooler onto. It is not recommended that you put your wine cooler onto a carpeted surface, it’s best to place your wine cooler onto a flat even surface so that it sits stable. 

Do integrated wine coolers need ventilation?

Yes, integrated wine coolers do need ventilation, just like all models of wine coolers do. Integrated coolers have ventilation located at the front, as there is no room at the back. 

Whether your wine cooler has dual or single zones and whether it is integrated or freestanding it requires ventilation to be able to work effectively. 

Does an integrated wine fridge need a cabinet?

Integrated wine coolers, also known as built-in wine coolers, can fit into cabinets or under your worktop counters. This style can be very discreet and finish the look of your kitchen. This model is good if you don’t have the space for a freestanding wine cooler or you have an empty gap that you want to fill. 

You must ensure that you measure the wine cooler and the space you are looking to fit the cooler into, as ventilation is key for the wine cooler to run efficiently. You will normally find that the vent is found on the front with integrated wine coolers, so just make sure nothing is blocking the fascia of the cabinet. 

Can you put a wine cooler on carpet?

You’ve bought a wine cooler but the next question is where are you going to put it? Practically, a wine cooler is best kept in a kitchen or utility room but many also choose to keep them in their basement. 

It’s not just space that is a factor you need to consider when deciding where to place your new wine cooler, but also the surface that you’re placing it onto. As we mentioned before, freestanding wine coolers should not be placed onto carpet because should your wine cooler leak or anything is spilt, there is a risk of mildew developing. This isn’t a major risk that you should be worried about but it is best to prevent this from happening by ensuring your wine cooler is placed on a flat surface so that it is stable and sits level.

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