Single temp wine cooler versus U-line's 'triple zone?'

14 years ago

Hi,

I've seen reviews on dual zone fridges (e.g. that review of the Vinotemp VT-45) complaining about the lack of differentiation between the zones. While it would great to be able to get a 15 degrees temp gradient (e.g. 65 for reds and 50 for whites---I don't want the fridge for long term storage but short term storage and serving), I don't think I can get that in an affordable under the counter unit (I read about U-line's "triple zone" which seems to simply take advantage of air temperature gradient to maintain 3 "zone" of approx temperature each 5 degrees apart (e.g. 55 on top, 50 middle, 45 bottom).

I wonder if U-line worked hard on this (by picking exactly where to blow cold air in), or if single temp fridges do exhibit this variation from their very nature? This kind of variation seems pretty nice to me as I could get white and sparkling very close or at serving temperature, and just get the reds out a bit before drinking them.

Can someone who has a single temp wine fridge check temperatures at top, middle and bottom? (If it's a Vinotemp even better as I am looking at the
Vinotemp VT-52, but ANY single temp fridge temp would work).

Thanks!

YA

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Comments (6)

lee676
14 years ago
My only experience is with smaller countertop wine coolers, but one I used did manage to keep about a 10Â°F difference between the topmost and bottommost shelves. Not divided into neat zones though; the middle shelves are simply between the two temperatures, the lower the colder. I've never found the standard temperature rules for red/pink/white wine to necessarily be the best though, with for example, shiraz tasting better when served cooler than cabernet even though they're both red, so the variable temperatures proved useful.

Some wine coolers work like most refrigerators - they use a compressor. Others don't use a compressor, which have the side benefits of being silent and making more efficient use of space. Both varieties can be made to cool different compartments to different temperatures if designed carefully.

You may want to crosspost this question on the GW wine forum too.
ulinesalesguy
14 years ago
Since there was a question as to the U-Line wine unit, and how we get the three temperature zones, I thought I would jump in.

U-Line does not use fan technology for our triple zone unit. If a fan were used, the air would mix, and the temperature would (roughly) be the same temperature. Instead, an evaporator plate technology is used. Since you don't "add cold" to cool a unit (you actually "remove heat"), we have added extra refrigerant coils near the bottom of the evaporator plate, and fewer near the top. When combined with basic physics (warm air rises, cooler air falls), you get three distinct temperature zones.

If you have other questions about this, or other technologies with U-Line products, don't hesitate to email me directly, or post a question on the board.

Doug
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guadalupe
14 years ago
How do you control the 3 zones, is there a read out for the 3 different zones and are they more than 5 degrees apart
dtrumpet101
14 years ago
I have the exact unit you're looking at. Installed august of 08. I don't have anything to test the temps in the short term but can give you a quick review.
We drink predominantly reds, set the temp at 54-57 and its great for that. I put the whites I have on the bottom rack, and they are usually not quite cool enough. If I know we're drinking white, I'll put it in the frig for a half hour or so to cool it further.For us its so infrequent it isn't a bother. Overall, we're quite happy with it. Its quiet, sharp looking, shelves move easily, temps are consistent.I imagine if you drank mostly whites and turned it down it would be equally consistent. you should know it won't really hold 52 bottles, more like 46-48.
Definitely recommended
dtrumpet101
14 years ago
by the way, I followed your link to the site and saw the price for the vinotemp. We got ours at costco for $550. I don't know if its available online now, but worth checking out. costco.com
good luck
ulinesalesguy
14 years ago
You will set the temperature for the middle of the unit using the electronic control. The top rack of the unit will be 6 degrees warmer than the set point, and the bottom rack will be 6 degrees cooler than the set point.

If you have further questions, don't hesitate to contact me.

Thanks,
Doug

Single temp wine cooler versus U-line's 'triple zone?'

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lee676

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