Comments on: Can I Vent for a Moment?

By: John T. (Wine Enthusiast Wine Storage Consultant)

John T. (Wine Enthusiast Wine Storage Consultant) — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:17:23 +0000

Yes, this is an excellent question. Unfortunately, not everyone who incorporates a wine cellar into a cabinet thinks of this. As Carol explained the vent must be unobstructed. If this is not done the unit will not function correctly and ultimately fail. Not only will your wine not age correctly, the unit will not last as long as it should. As Carol suggested, cutting a few inches off the bottom on the door in line with the unit’s vent is a great way to ensure your unit will function correctly. I recommend a decorative plate to match the existing cabinet or an accent plate. Either way, the plate should be louvered to allow air flow.

By: Carol K.

Carol K. — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:06:21 +0000

Excellent question, Mike. Keeping a wine refrigerator/cellar behind cabinet doors can restrict airflow to the unit and cause it to overheat and fail. A front-vent unit can be recessed into a cabinet with doors only if the vent is unobstructed and exposed to air. Cutting a few inches off the bottom of the door, or making a hole/vent somewhere in the cabinet to allow air to circulate, are possible solutions. Ideally, you want to talk to one of our Wine Cellar Specialists (800.377.3330) for the best course of action. They address these kinds of issues all the time. They'll give you their expert advice free of charge! Hope that helps.

By: Mike D

Mike D — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:20:58 +0000

What if I wanted to put into a cabinet with doors- would the front vent still work?