How to Install Your Wine Cooler?

Installing a wine cooler is the best way to store the collection of wine at an appropriate temperature. But it is mandatory to learn where and how to place this freestanding appliance. If you cannot spare the precious space in the home for the wine coolers, then the built-in under cabinet cooler comes as the best solution. Installing the wine cooler is not very complex and is indeed a do-it-yourself project. You won’t require any carpentry skills as well. Depending on the configuration of the kitchen cabinet, it is possible to handle the entire job by yourself. 

Install Your Wine Cooler
Brand: Marvel

Step by Step Installation Guide of the Wine Cooler

When you have decided to install a wine cooler on the kitchen countertop then here of the following steps to be kept in mind to go ahead with the installation. Make sure that the cooler you buy has a front ventilation mechanism so that even if it is tucked under the compact counter space, it is still able to breathe and ventilate.

1. Choosing an ideal location for the wine cooler:

Ideal Location for Wine Cooler

The ideal location for a built-in wine cooler will be the kitchen as it is the place where we generally keep other food and drinks and it is also the place where we have cabinets to spare for the wine cooler. Also, as the wine cooler doesn’t require a water connection, it can be placed in any place in your house. 

Dining rooms are also great options where we can place them under the bar or the cabinet that is been already used as a dining or a serving area. many households have wine racks in this location, and they can be replaced with a wine cooler. Regardless of the location, the following aspects should be given due importance, before choosing a wine cooler.

  • Make sure that a conducive temperature is maintained around the wine cooler before installing it. keeping it next to the dishwater will only make it work overtime.
  • As most wine coolers come with glass doors to render protection against ultraviolet rays, it is still a better idea to prevent harsh lights from falling on them. Warmth is not good for the wine and its components.
  • Make sure that there is enough ventilation and do not tuck it in spaces that barely fit in. if there is no ventilation around the unit, its cooling mechanism will not work properly. The unit should have enough clearance at the sides, behind, and on top of it. 
  • Make sure you can open and close the doors easily. if you have to rearrange or take out a rack from this fridge, then it is important to swing it open freely.

Check out: Best Wine Coolers 2022

2. Getting ready with the power supply and the tools:

Electrical outlet for Wine Cooler

Before choosing an optimal place to install the wine cooler, make sure that there is a provision to plug in the appliance. If there is no electrical outlet handy, it is ideal to call the electrician and have a new one installed. The use of extension cords should be discouraged as the outlet requires a ground outlet for safety. The electric cord should be moved out of the way to stay safe and to avoid tripping over it. If required find someone who can handle both the electrical works and the cabinetry to install the wine cooler.

Installing the wine cooler is not a very long process and it doesn’t incur complex tools. if you have a large under-counter space, then this is simply a DIY project. Just make sure that you have the tape measure, level, and the manual for the wine cooler at hand, to note details about its ventilation and other setups. 

The other tools that might be required for the installation are the head screwdriver to fix the handle for the wine cooler, scrap wood that can be used to level the feet if the floor surface is uneven and a tray or plastic sheet if the floor area is carpeted. 

3. Preparing the space in the cabinet before installation:

Space in the Kitchen Cabinet

Remove the cabinet door from the kitchen under counter. If you are replacing it in the place of another appliance, make sure to remove the appliance from the site. Make sure the cabinet space is enough to accommodate the wine cooler, along with the additional clearance space. If required, cut the cabinet to accommodate the cooler. Measure accurately before cutting and make sure that there is enough room for the wine cooler.

Remove the shelves from the cooler and place them in the space, checking their fit. Make all additional adjustments and smooth the rough edges of the cabinet, preferably with sandpaper. Before placing the cooler, make sure that the floor space is dry and clean. Make use of the leveling feet or the wooded shims if required, to ensure that the cooler is appropriately leveled. Replace the racks and the shelves in the cooler as required. 

4. The wait is over:

It is mandatory to wait for two to four hours or as indicated by the manufacturer, before plugging it into the power source. This time is mandatory for the refrigerant to settle inside the cooler and to prevent any operations problems. After the wait time, plug in the cooler set the preferred temperature, and allow the wine cooler to cool. After it is cooled, load them with the wine beverages. 

Check out: Best Single Zone Wine Coolers & Fridges in 2022

Important Tips that Help in the Efficient Installation of the Wine Cooler

Proper installation is the key to enhancing the efficiency of the wine cooler. As the built-in wine cooler has a front ventilation system, it will not require much space at the back for the circulation of air. These coolers also come in a standard width of 15 or 30 inches to accommodate the standard cabinet space. Some tips to make sure that your DIY installation works are as follows,

  • Measure the cabinet space properly to help with the appropriate and accurate installation of the wine cooler. Improper measurements can leave very small storage for the wine cooler. 
  • If the space around the cooler is too large, then we will miss the ambience and the integrated effects that these unique units have to offer.
  • Ensure a proper power outlet near the unit. A standard built-in wine cooler requires a 110-volt power outlet and some even require 200 volts. It is better to plug the unit first and then slide it in under the counter. 
  • Leveling the cooler is mandatory to avoid vibrations. This can be done with the help of the leveling foot or pieces of wood.
  • Make sure that the wine cooler is not placed near any other appliance, as it draws unwanted heat towards the cooler. 
  • Never install an indoor wine cooler the outdoors, as it will end up damaging the wine cooler altogether.
  • Try adding a cabinet overlay to conceal the refrigerator with the help of custom trim panels. This will also help to blend the wine cooler into the existing cabinet in the kitchen.

Check out: Best Dual Zone Wine Coolers & Fridges

Bottom Line

Just, installing the wine cooler can be a simple task, if we have the necessary tools at hand and if we read through the instruction manual from the manufacturer appropriately. Preparing the space before installation is also important to sit back and relays from your favorite glass of wine

Hi, I'm Douglas Cassius, I have worked with many brands that manufacture freezers and refrigerators, so here I will be sharing that knowledge and helping HomeyCart readers.

Leave a Comment