Best Wine Cooler

[RonC]

question for you wine fridge humidor owners. What is the best out there? Is the max temp always 65 degrees? Do you use beads only? anyone use electronic humidifiers? do you plug the drain hole?

 

[JRL]

I have the vinotemp. Works great, beads and oust fans and plugged the hole yes.

 

[RyanCuad]

i have 2 new-air 28 bottles. one with 65% shilala and one with 65% heartfelt. max temp is 66 degrees. one has 4 mini computer fans that i have going twice a a day for a couple minutes (after experience, i don't think its necessary although it only cost abuot $10, and i didn't do it to my second one.) Plugged the drug plugs.

 

[bdc30]

Just have a little 12-bottle vino (should have looked harder for a 28) with way more beads than I need. No fan running, hole plugged. Temp maxes at 67. Never had an issue with it, temp/rh% rock solid.

 

[twenty5]

I'm pretty sure there is a thread that covers most if not all your questions here Ron.

 

[RonC]

I'm pretty sure there is a thread that covers most if not all your questions here Ron.

too many threads, I just need the condensed version

 

[SergeantStogie]

Coming from Ron, he may be cooking up a new product. I think I may want to get on the waiting list already!

 

[dpricenator]

I believe the standard is the VinoTemp. Most use Beads for humidification, with some fans for circulation. Plug the drain hole. Some use an external temp controller in cases where the max temp is off and is too cold.

 

[OB-Left]

I have an Edgestar. Haven't gotten beads yet, on the list. Currently have a cigar oasis, and yes I plugged the hole. The CO works fine.

 

[Jfire]

I would say the vino 28 teds is my fav. Also prob the most widely used. Has less plastic stink then others as well when new.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

From what I can tell, big key is what the ambient temperature is... if you are somewhere that's really hot, you need an external temp. control unit or electronic humidification is the only way to go.

 

[slave2theaxe]

I did a lot of research before building mine and honestly, the Vinotemp, Edgestar, and and Avanti are almost identical with the Vinotemp getting extra cool points for the digital display. They all have similar ratings as far as reliability goes.

I went with the Edgestar based off price. Running an ETC so it doesn't run 24/7. Running computer fans on a timer for circulation. Using shilala beads for humidification and yes drain is plugged. Running like a champ.

 

[andy]

Avanti SWC-2800M here. Digital controls. LED lighting. Only drawback is it has half the number of slots as other coolers do.

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

I would say the vino 28 teds is my fav. Also prob the most widely used. Has less plastic stink then others as well when new.

Good to know Justin, thanks for the info. :thumbsup:

 

[pfm721]

edgestar, had one peltier go bad but they mailed me a new under warranty. when I put it on I used the metal based thermal paste and have had no problems since. Shilala beads and computer fans with a plugged drain hole. Also using an ETC.

 

[hutts]

Vino 28 TEDS 1 lb. Shilala and 1 lb. heartfelt. I turn it off during the winter and run 2 oust fans. When it heats up in the summer it gets plugged back in.

 

[orangedog]

agree with dprice and slave, but would add that I don't think shilala beads are the way to go if you want a closed system. if you catch the condensed water and re-route it back to your beads, that will only work with kitty litter or heartfelt-style beads, not shilala (there are youtube videos worth watching on this)

 

[SkinsFanLarry]

For those of you using the "Shilala Beads" what are you using to catch/absorb the condensation....or are you not getting any.

 

[slave2theaxe]

For those of you using the "Shilala Beads" what are you using to catch/absorb the condensation....or are you not getting any.

I catch into a small container that I empty when needed...not very often

 

[hawaiian]

I also use shilala beads in a 12 bottle vinotemp. I couldn't get the humidity to stabilize using the heartfelt beads but shilala beads hold em rock steady. I live in a super humid area so my guess is shilala does a better job at lowering humidity.

Mine is also sealed and I used a small container to catch the condensation and dump it out once a week, maybe few ounces but the amount has been decreasing weekly.

Btw, don't buy a 12 bottle... go with at least a 28 bottle or bigger if you can find one. I filled mine up to the brim in 2 weeks. I need to buy another one soon...