Haier HVT12ABS 12-Bottle-Capacity Table-Top Wine Cellar, Black with Silver Trim Review

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(More customer reviews)First, let me start by addressing the other reviews that have been critical of the quality of the Haier Tabletop Wine Cellar. I've used mine for over a month with no issues, and I believe I may have an explanation for others' perceived problems. The unit works by cycling a cooling fan on and off as needed, so it doesn't continuously run like most refrigerators do. Also, its thermostat is extremely particular, i.e. if it senses that it's cold enough, you can't turn it down low enough to force the fan to kick on. Finally, remember that this is a wine cooler, not a mini-fridge, and that wine isn't meant to be kept as cold as other beverages. We have our unit stored in a pantry on the coldest corner of our house and it keeps the wine right while barely running the fan. These circumstances could lead to a misperception that the unit has completely stopped working when in fact, it's just accurately having an "off" cycle. If my Wine Cellar ever does truly stop working, I'll certainly update this review.
Potential dependability issues aside, there are still critical problems with the Tabletop Wine Cellar that keep it from being a realistic solution for most people. The most immediate one is size - when you pull it out of the box, you'll scratch your head wondering whether or not you really picked up the model for "Tabletop" use. Somewhere in the world, counters must be much deeper than where I live! I can't verify the dimensions that are quoted above, but the depth seems suspiciously small. Plus, the instructions for the unit specify that it needs several inches of clearance on the back and sides for ventilation. Taking this additional space into consideration, the Cellar is about the size of a microwave oven but much deeper. Our solution was to put it sideways on a microwave cart in a separate room; however, having to do so is a pretty big deviation from the way that it's advertised. In case you're planning on building it into a cabinet or bar as a workaround, the instructions prohibit that as well (again for ventilation concerns).
The second issue is that even as big as the Wine Cellar is on the outside, it's ironically cramped on the inside. Any bottle bigger than 750 mL will not fit unless you remove one of the wire racks, thus reducing it to an eight-bottle capacity (four 750 and four larger ones). Even if you stick with the standard bottle volume, some unusually-shaped bottles will still not fit. For instance, we found that the extra tall, skinny bottles of Chateau Ste. Michel have to be put in diagonally so that basically only one bottle fits per shelf and then you've got to be careful that it doesn't roll out when you open the door.
On the positive side, the unit is very quiet - even when the fan is running, it's no louder than the fan on a new PC. It's also attractively styled in black with the appearance of a brushed pewter frame for the glass door. The door seal and hinge both feel solid and sturdy. The thermostat actually does result in a range of temperatures, but this of course precludes storing white and red together.
To sum up, the Haier Wine Cellar attempts to do the impossible - providing a chiller spacious enough for a case of wine yet compact enough to fit neatly on a kitchen countertop - but ultimately can't quite do it. I haven't experienced any of the motor failure problems that others have described (yet); mine has been a reliable performer. Unfortunately, the additional workaround of where to keep the unit and what to do about the bottles that won't fit in it reduce the Wine Cellar to much less than a hassle-free solution.
PROS
* Cooling fan is very quiet when running
* Accurate thermostat provides a range of temperatures for whites vs. reds
CONS
* Way too large to realistically sit on any countertop
* Can't accommodate large or unusually-shaped wine bottles


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Keep up to 12 bottles of red or white wine properly chilled and ready to enjoy with the help of this convenient table-top wine cellar. The unit's thermo-electric cooling system, which involves very few moving parts, delivers ultra-quiet, energy-efficient operation and protects wine from unnecessary vibration. Even more, thermo-electric cooling does not use ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFCs or HCFCs, which means it's better for the environment. The wine cellar also provides an adjustable thermostat, which allows for precisely controlling the internal temperature to ensure excellent results. Other highlights include a silver-trimmed, double-pane insulated glass door for viewing contents at a glance, a recessed door handle for a sleek look, and three full-chrome wire storage racks that make it possible to keep stored wine neatly organized. Great for those who love to entertain or for wine enthusiasts with a growing collection, the wine cellar, which measures 22-5/16 by 18-1/8 by 16 inches, makes a wonderful addition to any countertop or bar area.

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Vinotemp VT-12TEDS Thermo-Electric Digital 12-Bottle Wine Chiller, Black and Stainless Review

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(More customer reviews)Mine broke about four months after I bought it. Instead of cooling my wines it heated them to over 90 degrees! Two bottles were ruined.
The company's warantee is only good for 90 days. I called and they said tough luck, not their problem. They do NOT stand by their product.

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Keep up to 12 bottles properly chilled with this freestanding wine chiller. The unit's innovative thermo-electric cooling system, which involves very few moving parts, protects wine from unnecessary vibration. More importantly, thermo-electric cooling does not use ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFC's or HCFC's, which means it's better for the environment. In addition, the wine-cooling unit's dual-paned glass door provides better UV protection and better insulation properties for enhanced energy efficiency. Other highlights include a maximum ambient room temperature of 77 degrees F, easy push-button controls, digital temperature display, and sturdy shelf racking for individual bottle storage. Three pull-out chrome shelves are included. Attractively housed in a black cabinet with stainless-steel trim, the wine chiller measures 21-3/4 by 13-1/2 by 18-5/16 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty.

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NewAir AW-320ED NewAir Dual Zone Thermoelectric Wine Cooler With Dual Temperature Zones Review

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(More customer reviews)
I looked everywhere from Costco to Wine Stores trying to find a perfect wine cooler before a friend suggested Amazon. That's where I came across the NewAir AW320ED. This is a VERY nice unit! I previously purchased the Cuisinart before this one, but sent ended up returning it since it was so loud. I bought this one, and I couldn't be happier. It has a lot of great features that the Cuisinart did not and, in my opinion, looks nicer.
First, its very quiet compared to the Cuisinart. It has dual zones so I can store my growing collection of both red and white wines. I love that it doesn't make more noise as my refrigerator. It also has screw-in feet that can be used to level it. This was particularly helpful with the textured travertine floor in my kitchen. Although, it's not a big deal unless your floors are not quite level like mine.It has a nice LED light on the interior that is much brighter than the Cuisinart light. It cast a nice blue ray so I can easily find my wine for the night. I really like the touch screen controls as well. The temperature ranges are easily controlled with a touch of a button. It was also super easy to setup.
The unit even included a one year warranty, which help make my decision to purchase the unit. So far it has been about 5 months since I've had the cooler, and my wife and I are really pleased.
For about the same price as the Cuisinart, this is a much better unit. Buy it!


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Enjoy your favorite vintages at just the right temperature with the NewAir AW-320ED wine cooler and refrigerator! This handsome wine chiller holds up to 32 standard wine bottles and is perfect for people who like to have wine on hand for parties and it also makes a great gift for any wine connoisseur. Its compact size makes it ideal for homes and offices while the sleek black cabinet complements any decor.
Complete with two side-by-side compartments and finely crafted glass doors, the NewAir AW-320ED thermoelectric wine cooler adds an air of sophistication to any environment. It utilizes thermoelectric technology which has very few moving parts. This allows the wine chiller to run vibration-free and silently. Moreover, thermoelectric cooling uses no ozone depleting chemicals such as CFCs or HCFCs.
An internal light ensures that you always grab the right bottle for any occasion while the digital temperature control panel with push button operation makes this wine cooler extremely simple to use. Best of all, the NewAir AW-320ED is a dual zone wine chiller: there are 2 independently controlled temperature zones so that you can store both red and white wines at the same time.

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Deluxe 28 Bottle Wine Cooler Refrigerator Review

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(More customer reviews)I am writing this review because of my extreme dissatisfaction with the Edgestar wine refrigeration product line and Compact Appliances. Two years ago my husband purchased the Edgestar 28-bottle fridge for me as a Christmas gift. We were so excited with the product that we raved to everyone about it. The following Christmas it was all my parents wanted. We purchased the smaller 16-bottle Edgestar for them. Not two weeks later ours died (right after the one-year warranty). My husband is quite handy and called to purchase various parts to repair the unit--over $100 worth--to no avail. We were devastated to throw away a brand new unit just one year after our purchase. I spoke with my parents last night and found to their utter disappointment now theirs has died too--just one year after we purchased it for them. This is TWO units that died immediately after a one-year period! These products are not inexpensive and were a costly investment to preserve our favorite wines. We are disappointed in the quality of the items and have vowed to never purchase again from Compact Appliances. We are also planning to warn all of our wine-loving friends in the wine classes we attend to not purchase the products as well. What a disappointing Christmas!

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Store up to 28 bottles of your best wine under optimum conditions in this EdgeStar Thermoelectric Wine Cooler. While your wine enjoys the optimal temperature and humidity conditions within this wine cooler, you get a wine cooler in one of the most stylish finishes available. This thermoelectric wine cooler features a premium metallic silver finish door trim with double paned tempered glass. The tinted glass door protects your wine from harmful light, plus the door features a pro-style towel bar handle. The interior of the wine cooler features 6 scalloped chrome shelves to best cradle and display your wine.Internal dimensions:Height: 23 3/4"Width:14"Depth: 13 1/2"Height between shelves: 3 1/2"External dimensions:Height: 28 1/2"Width: 18"Depth: 20 1/2"

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Cuisinart CWC-900 Private Reserve 11-Bottle Stainless-Steel Countertop Wine Cellar Review

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(More customer reviews)I found this wine cellar at a local department store and bought it to take the place of storing/chilling wine in the refrigerator. A standard fridge might be ok for whites, which should be served colder, but not so for reds. When reds are too cold, the subtle flavors become "squashed" for lack of a better term. However, my standard fridge accomodates a standing opened bottle of wine awkwardly at best. Also the frequent knocks and vibrations of the standard fridge, as well as light exposure as said to be bad for wine preservation by those in the know. I'm mainly interested in the convenience of having wine-on-demand at the appropriate serving temperature, as I tend to drink mostly budget wines ($10 and under).
This unit is a single cooling chamber (as opposed to some dual-chamber models I've seen, which allow independent temperatures in the two chambers). It has presets corresponding to certain temperatures, which are inconveniently not listed in the manual. However these can be determined easily enough by dialing in a preset program and checking the temperature the following day. (I haven't bothered to do this) The manual does offer you which presets are best for the various varietals of wine (1 through 8, with 8 being the coldest). You can also set the temperature manually if you do not wish to follow the preset programs. There is a digital temperature readout visible through the door when it's closed - clever design, but very difficult to see if the unit is on the floor (where I have mine). True to claim, there is essentially no vibration when the cooling compressor/fan are engaged. The front door has a large window (see picture above) which is dark-tinted to keep the evil humours out whilst you gaze upon your vino. There is an interior light which comes on when you open the door, and can be switched to continuous ON position if desired. As to the previous reviewers comment about the compressor running a lot, it does run more in the first 24hrs than afterwards, but not excessively so. Mine slips neatly right under my home-office desk (close at hand for those bad days!). Actually, this is the coolest room in the house and so the unit runs less in that ambient temp, and hence consumes less electricity. You should be aware that it has exhaust vents to the right of the door handle that need several inches of clearance, so plan accordingly for your physical layout.
I give this model 4-1/2 stars for price & convenience. I have to withhold a 1/2-star simply because the digital readout window is hard to see from a high angle. If I get into white wines at some point, I like this unit well enough to consider purchasing a second one - and at this price, it's at least equal in total price (for two units) as some of the dual-chamber models I've seen, if not a little cheaper.
UPDATE 2/17/07
Well, as some others have reported, the unit developed a problem after about 11 months of service wherein it was running continuously without cooling at all. I called the Cuisinart company, and to my surprise they acknowledged an engineering defect and offered to exchange the unit at no charge for a new one with the defect corrected. There were some logistical trials and tribulations involved in the return, but finally the new replacement unit arrived yesterday and now I'm "chillin' like a villain" once again.
The dimensions of the unit by my own measurement are W 17-1/8" (43.5cm) H 16-3/8" (41.5cm) D 16-7/8" (43.8cm), and the door handle adds about 1-1/2" depth.

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A nice alternative to expensive, full-size wine cellars, this elegant countertop unit beautifully displays up to 11 bottles of wines and champagnes. Three removable chrome racks are designed to hold 750 ml or 1500 ml bottles, while the unit's soft interior lighting includes a permanent "on" option for showcasing the collection. The cellar's patented temperature control with eight presets ensures that different varieties are stored at ideal serving temperatures. By using thermoelectric, compressor-less cooling technology, the appliance is lightweight, easy to carry, and able to chill wines without noise or vibration. The unit also comes equipped with an electronic thermostat with Centigrade and Fahrenheit settings, manual temperature adjustment, and LED read out for added convenience. Housed in traditional stainless-steel styling with a double-pane tinted viewing window, stainless-steel door, and chrome handle, the wine cellar measures 20-1/8 by 18-8/9 by 18 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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Cuisinart CWC-1200 Private Reserve 12-Bottle Countertop Wine Cellar, Stainless Steel Review

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(More customer reviews)I purchased my original Private Reserve Wine Cellar, Model CWC-1200, in November, 2007 through Amazon.com.
I was having persistent condensation problems with the unit, so I returned it under warranty and received a new unit just a couple of weeks ago. Unfortunately, I am having the same problem with the new unit. The plastic tray at the bottom of the unit fills up with water within a couple of days. I have the unit in an air conditioned room. I can't believe I am the only person having this problem, although Cuisinart would have me believe that.


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A nice alternative to expensive, full-size wine cellars, this elegant countertop unit beautifully displays up to 12 bottles of wine and champagnes. Three removable chrome racks are designed to hold 750 ml bottles, while the unit's soft interior lighting includes a permanent "on" option for showcasing the collection. The cellar's patented temperature control with eight presets ensures that different varieties are kept at proper storing or serving temperatures. By using thermoelectric, compressor-less cooling technology, the appliance offers a lightweight, easy-to-carry design and can chill without noise or vibration. The unit also comes equipped with an electronic thermostat with Centigrade and Fahrenheit settings and LED read out for added convenience. Housed in traditional stainless-steel styling with a double-pane tinted viewing window, stainless-steel door, and chrome handle, the wine cellar measures 19 by 23-3/7 by 18 inches and carries a three-year limited warranty.

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