How Long Does a Wine Fridge Last Before It Needs Replacing?

Do you have a wine refrigerator you’ve had for years and are wondering whether it’s time for a replacement? For many wine lovers, a wine fridge is indispensable as it keeps wine fresh and at the perfect serving temperature while allowing it to age perfectly. Storing wine at an optimal temperature is also important for it to retain its original taste and quality. 

A wine fridge can last between 10 to 15 years before you need to buy a new one. However, this depends on the installation method, how you use the fridge, and how you maintain it. For durability, keep your unit in a cool area, avoid direct sunlight, wipe spills immediately and avoid banging the door.

Read on to discover how a wine fridge works and how to tell whether yours needs replacing or repairing. I’ll also offer helpful tips on how to take care of your wine fridge to ensure it lasts you as long as possible.

How a Wine Fridge Works

A wine refrigerator is specially designed for storing wine. It provides the ideal temperature and humidity, plus a dark, vibration-free space. 

Wine fridges typically come with dual temperature controls and use a compressor or thermoelectric cooling system. The compressor cooling system uses a liquid refrigerant, while the thermoelectric cooling system utilizes the Peltier effect with the help of electricity. 

Compressor coolers are big, powerful, and tend to be noisy, while thermoelectric coolers are noise-free. However, thermoelectric fridges are also easily affected by room temperatures. 

How To Tell Your Wine Fridge Needs a Replacement

If your wine fridge starts emitting peculiar noises, vibrating, leaking, or stops cooling as efficiently as before, you might want to consider getting a new one. If you try using a malfunctioning cooler, you risk ruining the wine you store in it.

When not stored at the right temperature, wine loses its original flavor. Ideally, you should keep your wine cool and avoid any fluctuations in temperature so that you can enjoy your favorite bottle after storing it for several years.

However, buying a wine cooler is an expensive undertaking, and a new unit can set you back anywhere between $150 and $2000. This means that you should be as certain as possible that a new appliance is what you really need. 

When To Repair Your Wine Fridge

Before you set off shopping for a new appliance, consider whether you can repair your wine fridge instead. For instance, a noisy unit could be due to a faulty internal fan or compressor. The refrigerator could also fail to get cool because of the compressor or its components, the thermostat, evaporator, and condenser fan failing to work correctly. 

You should consider repairing your wine refrigerator if: 

• The warranty is still valid. 
• You have not used the wine fridge for a long time. 
• The wine fridge has been working perfectly before. 
• Repair costs would amount to less than half the cost of a new unit. 

That said, there are many other factors that could contribute to your wine fridge’s misperformance that don’t necessitate getting rid of the unit. So, you should make sure that you’re keeping your fridge in the right conditions. 

Your wine refrigerator might fail to cool correctly under the following conditions: 

• If the room is too warm. 
• If the drain line is clogged, causing the fridge to leak water. 
• If the fridge is too close to the wall, preventing proper ventilation. 
• If the seals on the wine fridge door are loose. 

Additionally, if the cooler is not turning on, you should first check whether there is a tripped fuse or a loose power connection. 

When To Replace Your Wine Fridge

You might need to replace your wine cooler if it is not working properly and has already served you for long. Also, if the cost of repairing it is more than half the cost of a new one, you are better off buying a new wine fridge altogether. This is because an old appliance will likely keep breaking down, costing you even more in the long run. 

If you’re looking for a new wine cooler, I recommend the Ivation 12 Bottle Compressor Wine Cooler Refrigerator from Amazon.com. As the name implies, this fridge can store up to 12 bottles of wine. It comes with a door lock, removable shelves if you want to store larger bottles, and easy-to-use touch temperature controls. The temperature controls can be set to either Fahrenheit or Celsius, depending on which you prefer. 

How To Take Care of Your Wine Fridge

Here are some ways in which to ensure your wine cooler lasts as long as possible (and runs smoothly as well):

• Buy your wine cooler from a reputable brand. 
• Make sure your fridge comes with a warranty. 
• Install the unit strictly as per the manufacturer’s instructions. 
• Place the wine cooler in an insulated area with temperatures that fall within the specified range for the unit, and keep it away from heat or direct sunlight. 
• Avoid slamming the door shut. 
• Keep the wine fridge clean by wiping it with a damp cloth and blotting out any spills immediately. 
• When removing wine from the wine fridge, pull out a shelf at a time to prevent your appliance from tipping over.