My only comment about the less expensive units is to be completely aware of what you are buying: 1) If you are needing a built-in application (you can identify this through a grille at the front of the unit for venting), you will be spending more than a free-standing unit. The least expensive built-in units are in the $800-$900 price range that I'm aware of (Danby Silhouette) 2) If you are storing wine, one of the most important things is temperature stability for wine preservation. Before you buy anything, check the owners manual. Many of the less expensive units can have a temperature variation of +/- 6-8 degrees (or, a 12-14 degree temperature swing)

I was very intimidated when I first started getting into wine and learning about it. But over the years I discovered that everyone has different tastes, and even the "experts" don't always agree. It's like anything else you eat or drink - if you don't like caviar, it really doesn't matter that it's considered a delicacy and is outrageously expensive. Same with wine. I've learned to ignore wine simply because of the name - I'm the only one in my house that likes wine, so I can't justify paying a lot of money for it. And I don't see the need to, either. When you get over a certain price range, just like designer clothing, you're paying for the name and the prestige. I don't make enough money to waste it on a name. If you want to pay $1,500 for a bottle of Petrus, go for it. I think it's idiotic. Again, I've found that for between $15-$30 I can get some fantastic wines. I've found great ones for $10-$12 as well. Everday, inexpensive wines like the various Yellowtail varieties are perfectly fine as well, but if you like wine, it's nice to try different ones. I've had Cabernets I love and others that I ended up saving and using for cooking and others I threw in my vinegar bottle. There can be a huge difference in the same "type" of wine, from one producer to another, and one year to another. I won't pay above $30 for a bottle and I only pay that much for special occasions. That's simply the highest I can justify spending. I mostly drink California Cabernet Sauvignon, California (red) Zinfandels, New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or French Sancerre, German Reislings, Australian Shiraz, Italian Pinot Grigio or Washington State Pinot Gris, and Italian Chianti or Primitivos. I've had some South African and Chilean wines that were great as well, and of course, I'm not going to turn my nose up at an American Shiraz or a Alsacian Reisling, I simply prefer the "styles" of certain wines made in certain regions. I've gotten too many crappy merlots so I just don't bother anymore. Pinot Noir has gotten very expensive and other than a lucky find here and there, has gotten out of my price range. The one area I'm lacking in anything other than the most cursory knowledge is French wines. I know the basics, but unlike other wines, I usually depend on my local wine seller to "advise" me on what to buy. The different appellations and the literally thousands of Chatau's can be overwhelming. Other than things like Sancerre and the smaller, less well known Bordeaux, and I get confused. If I spoke French, it might be easier to keep them all straight! Wine is nothing to be intimidated about and anyone that gives you grief for not liking something they think is fabulous isn't worth worrying about. If you like it, it's a good wine and everyone has different tastes. No one would give you grief for not liking liver or some other food, so it should be the same with wine. I have sort of a "cheat sheet" on wine I've given to several friends who like wine, but don't know that much about it, to use as a guide just so they know the basics. If anyone's interested, I can post it. Lisa

Our plan is to have a fully developed basement with wine cellar, but we're not sure when we can complete this. We can keep wine stored in a cool place until then but regardless if wine cellar is done immediately or down the road we would like to a the wine fridge in kitchen for immediate and short term consumption. We drink more red than white but with a wine fridge can start to enjoy whites more frequently. After reading above posts I'm not going to do the wine rack as we have so much window light and a sky light that would affect the reds stored in a rack. Here's another related question: we can get a 15" Subzero wine fridge (unclaimed order that salesperson wants to blow out of his store) for the same price as a 24" Marvel. Although SZ is superior and the price is incredibly low , I"m leaning towards the 24". Thoughts? Anyone have a Marvel wine fridge? Thanks to all for their responses on this!

There is a lot of GD info over in appliances. While there are really only waste king and insinkerator sold under assorted names, there is also a Viking model that is unique to them based on the design they had from way back. I don't recall all the back story, but it has cast parts and undercutters and is supposed to be the best. That one Viking model is not a rebadge of something you can buy elsewhere. I think it was maybe $500 or so when I was looking. If I were picking for my forever kitchen, I'd pick that Viking model. Next choice would be the insinkerator Excel, which also has undercutters and is a little less at around $300-330. This current house is a starter home in a modest area. A regular GD is more appropriate. Any of the 3/4 or 1 hp models would be good picks. There was some small reason I picked WK that escapes me at the moment, maybe warranty? The WK are supposedly louder, but my 3/4 hp is so much quieter than what it replaced I don't really notice/care. Once I decided on 3/4 or 1 hp from WK I picked based on size, I have a deep sink now. Do not get a Badger model, or less than 1/2 hp.