Using fridge for wine storage

[yclim]

As I stay in Singapore, the temperature is definately not ideal for storing wine.(temp avg 28c).Thus I went sourcing around for a decent wine cellar to store my wines for long period(eg. port and some reds). But the wine cellars coast a BOMB! (US$400 onwards)

Since the requirement for wine storage is constant temperature of around 15c, I was thinking of getting a mini fridge and use it as a wine cellar.

Is that advisable?

[Drew]

yclim, I would say the storage temperature range is more like 10c to 15c and the problem with most refrigerators is that the thermostat will not allow a constant temperature that warm. Proper humidity level and racking is also a problem with using refrigerators as wine storage. Now having said all that, push comes to shove, it's ALWAYS better to err on the cool side compared to the warm side when storing wines.

Drew

[winoweenie]

Yclim, you would be far better off buying a 60 bottle wine storage unit that keeps the wine at the proper temp and humidity.If these are too expensive there are converters that turn a fridge into a wine cellar without the humidity. They sell around 150. WW

[yclim]

WW, converters? What converters? (Sorry, I have absolutely no idea)

[winoweenie]

Go to wine-stat at www.winestat.com. They sell a converter that allows you to take a refrigerator and just plug it in and have all the necessities of a wine cellar. 169 I think. WW

[tomsch]

Has anyone used the wine-stat? Their web page talks about vibration as being a non-concern for a typical fridge.