Can You Put A Wine Cooler Next To A Dishwasher?
Whether you have a large and varied wine collection or you just have a few bottles lying about your house, you’re sure to benefit from a quality wine cooler.
Wine coolers are the ideal way to store your wine, and consider the main storage factors that can affect the flavours, aromas, and textures of your wine, as well as how well your wine ages.
Most people will use wine fridges to prepare their wine for serving, but wine coolers can also be a great way to store your wine for long periods of time.
However, not everybody knows where they should install their wine cooler. Can you place your wine cooler next to your dishwasher? Keep reading to find out.
Where Should I Place My Wine Cooler?
There are several factors that can determine where you should place your wine cooler, whether it be the design of the wine cooler, where you have space for the unit, and how accessible you want your wine cooler to be.
The location in which you place your wine cooler matters - and can make or break your whole experience. Read on for some tips on where you should place your wine cooler.
Installation Type
The type of wine cooler and the location of their vents you have ultimately determine where you should place your wine cooler. For example, if you have a freestanding wine cooler, then you should place it somewhere with sufficient space around the unit.
This is because the vents are usually located at the rear of the unit. When placing freestanding wine fridges, you should leave a couple of inches of space around the rear and sides of the cooler, as well as around 12 inches of space above the unit.
You can place a freestanding wine fridge wherever you like as long as there is sufficient space around the unit. However, freestanding wine coolers are designed to be built into kitchen space or installed under kitchen counters.
However, if you have a built-in (under-counter) wine fridge, then you can place this in the kitchen space. Built-in wine coolers are designed to be installed under kitchen counters, so their dimensions are small enough to fit into your typical kitchen counter.
Fully integrated wine fridges are designed to be completely enclosed in kitchen cabinets or wall space, making them a modern and sleek fixture. The doors of built-in wine coolers are almost always visible, whereas the fridge doors of fully integrated fridges are hidden as they’re covered in kitchen space.
Space
When placing your wine cooler, always ensure that there is enough space. The only way to be certain that you have enough space is by taking the time to check the measurements, accounting for ventilation space.
Some wine coolers can store fewer than five bottles, so you’re sure to find one that can fit into any available kitchen space you have. If you don’t have space in your kitchen for your wine cooler, then you could always place your wine fridge in your garage or your basement - somewhere that has plenty of floor space.
However, if you plan on keeping your wine fridge in your garage, be sure that it’s thoroughly insulated. In the colder months or the hot summer months, your wine cooler may have to work harder to regulate the temperature inside the wine cooler.
Some wine coolers feature winter systems that keep your wine cool all year round without the risk of freezing as the ambient temperature drops below zero. Winter systems protect your wine in the cooler months, which can save money when it comes to your electricity bill.
Accessibility
If your wine cooler is primarily used for preparing your wine collection to be served, then you want it to be easily accessible. Most people will keep their wine cooler in their kitchen with their other appliances, so their wine is always within reach.
Some people will also keep their wine cooler in their dining room, which is the perfect location for dinner parties. Instead of walking downstairs to the basement to grab a new bottle, you can simply walk across the room and grab a fresh bottle from the conveniently-placed wine cooler.
However, if you’re using a wine cooler to store your wine in the long term, whether it be for ageing or simply to keep your wine collection fresh, then you should be fine placing your wine cooler in the basement or utility room, as it doesn’t need to be easily accessible.
Can I Place My Wine Cooler Near My Dishwasher?
When placing your wine cooler, you should avoid placing it near appliances that generate heat. Installing your wine cooler next to other appliances can cause the wine cooler’s compressor to work harder to keep your wine cool, and can cause it to overheat.
This can reflect in your electricity bill - if your wine cooler is working harder to regulate the temperature and keep your wine collection cool, then it’s going to cost more money.
Dishwashers can generate heat, so it’s best to avoid placing your wine cooler next to or above your dishwasher. Many people make the mistake of installing a built-in or integrated wine cooler next to their dishwasher, so be sure to place it away from this kitchen appliance.
Dishwashers can also cause vibrations, and vibrations can disrupt your wine during storage. Another reason that you should avoid storing your wine next to your dishwasher is that the vibrations can negatively affect how well your wine ages, affecting the taste and aromas. It can also prevent any sediment from settling in the body of the wine.
Some other appliances that you should avoid storing your wine cooler near include your oven, hobs, washing machine, tumble dryer, and even your microwave. Avoid placing your wine cooler near any appliance that generates heat or that omits vibrations, as this can negatively affect the way your wine is stored.