Converting Old Wine Cooler or Dorm Fridge

[adamsdb]

Which is easier? I have been researching it a little bit on the topic and trying to figure out what is the best way or more simply put, the most cost efficient. I have been looking at the thermo-electric cooler versus the normal fridge cooling system. Also, how to get the humidity to regulate.

I appreciate the input...

[Rowdymon-cl]

Either one will work, alot of it depends on where it will be stored.

Here in Houston, with the price of electricity I tend to keep it at 85 during the day and kicking it back down to about 75 at night...

Obviously such temp fluctuations are BAD for smokes...

So I opted for the fridge, it also just so happened to fit PERFECTLY under my desk.

The cheaper route will obviously be the cooler, but if you don't mind spending the extra $150 or so to get the wine fridge now, or maybe $100 if you are going to wait a few months to find one on sale...go with the fridge.

If not, the coolidors work just fine, and will hold their temp alright, I'm just not willing to take that chance...

[adamsdb]

Is the wine fridge a better alternative to the fridge? Do the fridge's use the electro-thermal cooling method or are they just like the large fridge's. Is there such a thing as a cooling and humidifying unit? Can you replace the cooling unit in a fridge with that type of device?

I like the glass doors on the wine fridge's. I think that adds something to it, but I am just wondering if the fridge would be more cost effective.

Thanks for the input.

[Rowdymon-cl]

No no no no...no regular fridge...and here's why.

1...a regular fridge, as part of it's method of cooling, pulls humidity out of the air. Thermoelectric is the way to go, it does not adjust humidity in any way shape or form...

2...regular fridges don't go to a high enough temp...you can purchase add ons, but it will cause issue in the longevity of the fridge.

NO, if you go the fridge option, go Thermoelectric

[adamsdb]

So you have the wine fridge?

[Rowdymon-cl]

Originally Posted by adamsdb

So you have the wine fridge?

Yup, found one at Target for $199. I will say Lowes and Home Depot both carry them online, but not in stores regularly. Only place in Houston I found a good sized one, 28 bottle count, was Target of all odd places.

I like mine, it's holding 66-67 degrees and 66% humidity with a pound of beads from Heartfelt.

[boomerd35]

I've got the wine fridge from Target too. Does a good job, but it took me awhile to get the new plastic smell out. Others have reported it didn't take them long to get the smell out, but ours did. Also, what I did was buy the wine fridge when it was on sale ($169 I think). Then I opened a charge account at Target and saved 10% on the purchase! Makes it even better.

[Rowdymon-cl]

Plastic smell comes in the coolers too...

I washed mine out with Windex first, then after a couple of hours wiped it out with distilled water...

Then I left it open for two days, then popped in two containers of baking soda and left it a week

After that I put in some sacrificial boxes and let it sit another week

Boom...Fridgedoor...

[boomerd35]

I did all that, and more. There was still a feint plastic smell. Maybe I was being too anal about that last bit of plastic smell. I finally decided to jUst load it up-I got tired of waiting.

[adamsdb]

How do you get the temperature to 70 degrees or is it okay for them to stay in the 64-67 range? Most wine coolers I see say they only go up to 65 or so degrees.

[canney]

65 is groovy

[sofaman]

This is something I have been thinking about doing before summer. Dose anyone have an opinon on what the best brand or model I should go with. Also do I need to line it with Spanish cedar?

[BeerAdvocate-cl]

I believe the best kind of wine cooler to use is one that is Thermoelectric.
And no you dont need to line it with cedar. Once you put your boxes in there and use some beads to regulate RH you should be good to go

[sofaman]

I just saw a Vinotemp 28 Bottle thermo electric for $149.95 on Target's websight. Is this a good unit and price?

[adamsdb]

I would search on Craigslist in your area. I have found a few used models for quite a bit less. You should be able to find one about that size for around $100, or sometimes cheaper. I almost paid $75 for a 30 bottle Haier, but I waited too long and someone else bought it before me.