I have a mate reaching a milestone birthday this year and i'm thinking, with a few others chipping in, to get him a wine fridge as a surprise present.  The 35 32 bottle Vintec looks alright and about the right price.  

 

Any peeps had good (or bad) experience with this brand?

 

Any others in the sub/around $1000 mark that would be a top recommendation?

 

Cheers

2B

be aware that some wine fridges need clear air all around.

You can't put them into a cupboard - they will burn out prematurely.

 

There are winde fridges that you can put in a cabinet, but they have special vents and are generally more expensive.

 

Benje

19 hours ago, 2Brix said:

I have a mate reaching a milestone birthday this year and i'm thinking, with a few others chipping in, to get him a wine fridge as a surprise present.  The 35 32 bottle Vintec looks alright and about the right price.  

 

Any peeps had good (or bad) experience with this brand?

 

Any others in the sub/around $1000 mark that would be a top recommendation?

 

Cheers

2B

 

I have had 2 Vintecs die on me within 3 years of purchase.

 

I still have a half-height Vintec for magnums and a Samsung half-height built-in to the kitchen which is circling the drain after 8 years. I now run 3 x full height Liebherrs for anything north of $100 in value. Bullet-proof. (When the Samsung dies, I'm buying Liebherr).

 

(Everything else goes into the 1450-or-so-capacity racks in the cellar.)

I've had ~160 bottle Vintecs (2) for about 10 years. I've had one compressor failure in that time because I had the cooling side of the unit against a wall, faultless since. The compressors are quite small and work hard in hot weather (Perth, WA) if you don't keep them in a cool i.e. AC environment. Not sure what I would buy today as the humidity control is not really required with stelvin seals. Still thumbs up to Vintec from me.

Rob

I only have room for a modest x4 half-height fridges, yes they die occasionally but I'm not sure their lifetime is necessarily linked to brand, so I tend to buy cheaper brands. Buy him 2 for the same price😀

Summer WA is brutal on wine storage 😬🍷

• one vintec (under bench model)  that died within two years of use. Compressor is fine, it leaked out the refrigerant. No ability to recharge.
• a second full height (120 bottle?) that decided to freeze the contents. Ugly result.
• A liebherr that has worked faultlessly for the last four years.

I had 2 vintecs fail a few months out of warranty so never again. Bought a liebherr and it's been faultless for 5 years now

Edited August 22, 20232 yr by gypr1961

I have a Vintec 35? bottle in open space for 8 years.

Hot & humid weather on Qld Subshine Coast.

No problem.

Beware the thermoelectric coolers. Ive had a couple and they will, seemingly for no reason, increase their temperature. What is normally the cause is you need to clean a filter. Simple fix when you know. They are supposed to be more efficient and quiet (they are quiet) but you cant always get them down to 12 or 13 and make them hold it.

I currently have a LeCavist and Evanti which are refrigeration type. The LeCavist is a little noisy but both hold temp perfectly.