Having a wine fridge is not only great for wine lovers who want to keep their wine at the perfect temperature, but it also has several other uses that you may not have thought of. Here are some alternative uses for a wine fridge that you may find helpful:
1. Store beer: If you’re looking for a place to store your beer that will keep it nice and cool, a wine fridge is the perfect solution.
2. Keep fruit and vegetables fresh: A cigar fridge can also be used to store fruit and vegetables, keeping them fresher for longer.
3. Store soda: If you have trouble keeping your soda cold in the fridge, a wine cooler can help solve that problem.
4. Store champagne: Champagne is best served chilled, so if you want to keep your champagne cold and ready to drink, a wine fridge is the way to go.
5. Store water bottles: If you’re looking for a place to store water bottles that will keep them cold, a wine fridge is a great option.
How are Wine Fridges Different Than Regular Fridges?
Even a refrigerator and wine cooler keep things cold and preserve the life of food and drinks, there are many differences between these two cooling devices. Refrigerators, like the one found in your kitchen, are larger, colder, and noisier than a wine fridge. Wine coolers have a warm temperature range other than a standard refrigerator, which is much better for storing wine for a long period of time. Other key differences are listed in the chart below. When storing or collecting wine for long-term purposes (i.e. 3 months or more), it’s important to take into account how different types of wine react to various storage conditions, such as temperature and humidity. For example, wines that are bottled with a cork are especially susceptible to spoilage if not stored in an environment with the proper humidity levels, as corks will shrink when exposed to dry air, allowing cold air and other strong smells from the fridge to enter the wine and ultimately affecting its quality and taste.
Maintaining a consistent level of humidity helps to keep the cork sealed tightly at the top of the bottle and preserves your beverage for a longer period of time. It is recommended to store wine at the temperature between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure that it work properly. Wine refrigerators are available in dual zone or single zone styles to allow for even more temperature control. A standard refrigerator typically has a much lower temperature setting which can impact maturation of your wine over time. Additionally, vibration can also affect how quickly your wine ages.
Wine coolers are designed to keep wine at a consistent temperature, which can help preserve the flavor and maturity of the wine. Most wine coolers also have slatted shelves or racks specifically designed for holding wine bottles, whereas a standard refrigerator usually doesn’t have the right environment for wine storage.
Cheese tastes best and lasts longest when stored at slightly warmer temperatures than what a typical fridge provides. If you’re looking for the perfect place to store your cheese, a wine fridge can do the trick – especially if you plan to serve it with wine (take the cheese out of the fridge ahead of time to allow it to warm up to room temperature for the most authentic taste). To make full use of your wine fridge, cover the wide-gapped shelves with a mesh material or other breathable surface to create a makeshift shelf for your cheeses. This way, they can chill at the proper temperature.
