As the name implies, a free standing wine cooler requires an open floor space, but obviously does not require any cabinetry installation. Assuming a proper electrical outlet is available, a free standing wine refrigerator is a plug and play unit that can be moved to your most convenient floor space. Keep these tips in mind when choosing a location for a free standing wine cooler:

• Free standing wine coolers, especially those with compressor based cooling systems, require adequate space on all sides for ventilation.

• The wine cooler must sit level and evenly on the floor. Use a leveler to check the wine refrigerator’s balance. Make sure the floor is sturdy enough to hold the weight of the wine fridge.
• Make sure the wine cooler is situated in your home’s coolest spot. Do not place the wine refrigerator in direct sunlight or near heat generating appliances. In general, wine coolers are made to operate in ambient temperatures of about 75 to 78° Fahrenheit. Do not force the wine fridge to work harder than it has to to keep your wine properly stored and cooled.

• Do not overload the electrical outlet. To be safe, have the wine cooler be the only electrical device that is plugged into the electrical outlet.

Published 9/25/2009 12:00:00 AM

Tags: Free Standing