Vinotemp VT-12TEDS

[iCraig]

Hey guys,

Summer here in texas is hot as hell and my roommate likes to keep temps up around 75 in the house. Frickin' weirdo...

Anyway, I can deal with the temp, but I don't want my smokes to be exposed to 75+ for too long for fear of beetles and such.

I'm thinking about picking up a wine cooler for a little winedor.

I don't need anything too big for now so I figured a 12 bottle cooler would work fine. I read some of the stuff in the Winedor sticky and managed to find a Vinotemp VT-12TEDS 12 bottle cooler for 50 bucks.

Since they appear to retail for about twice that, I think I'll pick it up. Worst case, if I need to upgrade to a large one, I can always do so then, but I think this would work for me in meantime.

Any recommendations or things I need to be aware of with Vinotemp coolers before I go and pick it up?

Thanks!

 

[GoingPostal]

I have that exact same model. First thing is that it is a lot smaller than it appears, but you say you don't have that big a stash so shouldn't be a problem. space between the wire shelves is a bit more than 3" so some taller boxes wont fit between em but you can take em out and play some tetris to get boxes to fit. You will also need an oust fan or something similar to circulate the air around. that's about it, the real big thing is space is at a premium with the 12 bottle vinos but it was a good investment to protect my stash.

 

[iCraig]

I have that exact same model. First thing is that it is a lot smaller than it appears, but you say you don't have that big a stash so shouldn't be a problem. space between the wire shelves is a bit more than 3" so some taller boxes wont fit between em but you can take em out and play some tetris to get boxes to fit. You will also need an oust fan or something similar to circulate the air around. that's about it, the real big thing is space is at a premium with the 12 bottle vinos but it was a good investment to protect my stash.

My stash is probably around 50 or so right now and slowly growing. About what does yours hold? Just a ball park figure would be cool just so I'm aware.

Thanks for the post!

 

[twenty5]

Not sure if the math works out here (not even sure how many sticks I have in my 28 bottle) but if the average 28 holds 400 sticks (?) 400 / 28 = 14.3 sticks per bottle. In your case about 170-175 smokes... Does that sound right?

 

[iCraig]

Not sure if the math works out here (not even sure how many sticks I have in my 28 bottle) but if the average 28 holds 400 sticks (?) 400 / 28 = 14.3 sticks per bottle. In your case about 170-175 smokes... Does that sound right?

Makes sense to me and sounds like the perfect size for me for now. Thanks!

 

[GoingPostal]

My stash is probably around 50 or so right now and slowly growing. About what does yours hold? Just a ball park figure would be cool just so I'm aware.

Thanks for the post!

i use 4 wood trays i got from cigar solutions probably holding about 130 sticks easily room for more but its what i need now.

 

[dpricenator]

yeah in a small unit, you can take the wire shelves out, and just stack boxes, or play some tetris. Be careful settng boxes directly on the bottom as some units in certain condition can produce condensation. beads and an oust fan on EBAY RIGHT NOW!!!! they oare out of production but go to ebay and search for OUST FAN. get one, it limits/evaporates condensation.

 

[iCraig]

yeah in a small unit, you can take the wire shelves out, and just stack boxes, or play some tetris. Be careful settng boxes directly on the bottom as some units in certain condition can produce condensation. beads and an oust fan on EBAY RIGHT NOW!!!! they oare out of production but go to ebay and search for OUST FAN. get one, it limits/evaporates condensation.

Grabbed me an oust fan just now. Thanks!

I also have some old beads that i haven't used in over year and are probably 2 or 3 years old. Should I reuse those, you think, or just buy a new pound of them?

 

[bdc30]

I have the exact same model. I think it will hold about 250 sticks but I've never actually counted. Here's a thread I posted where brother Mav_Sd was good enough to make some drawers for me.
http://www.botl.org/community/forums/showthread.php?t=40758

 

[iCraig]

Grrrr...

Looks like the guy on CL who had it fired it up today to test it for me and it looks like it's failing to keep temperature. Edit: looks like it blows cold air, but issues with the thermostat. I'm guessing that shouldn't be too hard to fix worst case get an ETC.

Think these are easy to work on and possibly fix? The guy has offered it to me free of charge if I think I'm able to fix it. I was wondering if you guys think it's worth giving a shot.

 

[iCraig]

So I picked it up today. Looks like the control board is what is shot.

Looks like i can get a new one for $45 shipped for a new one from Vinotemp... is it worth the $45 or should I look into a different alternative here?

 

[veeref]

If you put less than 80-90 total in it, then I think I would keep it. More than that and I would keep looking. Even if you upgrade to a 28 bottle, you're spending 120 minimum, and trying to time availability at that price at best.

Regards,
Randy