Kmart Homemaker Wine Fridge

[mopiko]

Does anybody know much about these?

Theres currently a special for $200 for a 40 bottle fridge. It says theres a digital display thermostat control which sounds good to me.

What should I be looking out for? I remember reading about it a while back and a certain type of compressor isn't as good but I can't remember what one.

Thanks

[Daryl Douglas]

Does anybody know much about these?

Theres currently a special for $200 for a 40 bottle fridge. It says theres a digital display thermostat control which sounds good to me.

What should I be looking out for? I remember reading about it a while back and a certain type of compressor isn't as good but I can't remember what one.

Thanks

Any type of compressor isn't good - they cause vibration, especially when shut off by the thermostat. Check inside one of them. If there's a boxy section at the back of the bottom of the fridge it's a compressor type.

If not, it's most likely a preferred peltier type. Basically a heat-exchanger, there's no compressor and the only vibration is from the fan that's there to circulate the cooled air.

$200 is a very good price for a 40 btl peltier. If it is, at that price I'm interested in getting one myself.

Cheers

daz

[DerekJ]

me too! I will investigate the local KMart. You can tell by looking at the back. Any bulgy bits or spherical thingy means a compressor = no good, cos of vibration. If its flat and not too bulky at the back, its a good sign.

How do I know? The internet is a wonderful thing...

I'd post a link, but I am not allowed to cos I am a newb.

[mattathias]

every now and then Aldi do one. I've had theirs for just over a year and have no complaints. But I think it has the compressor Daryl mentioned.

[Daryl Douglas]

Had a look at the KMart catalogue - it's $249 which is still a good price for a 40btl wine cooler if it's a peltier type. I couldn't tell for sure from the advert but from the latitudinally-placed bottles at the bottom, chances are it's a compressor type.

I paid $270 each for my couple of 28 btl peltier type coolers.

Cheers

daz

[mopiko]

Thanks guys.

Haven't had a chance to look but yes sorry it was $250. At my local kmart also the old mistral type units are available for the same price.

Are these also condenser type or peltier?

[mkcoleman]

The Mistral ones are the compressor, I had a look at them (large box at the bottomof the fridge) before I went for the Target Dome (non-compressor)

[Paullie]

I purchased a Tongtel 32 bottle wine fridge from Deals Direct. I believe a compressor type fridge is adequate for your short even to medium term storage. It's certainly a lot better than a standard cupboard or foam box.

[Old Salt]

FWIW, I am quite happy with the two Mistrals bought about two years ago. They come with a five year replacement guarantee but I haven't bothered to read the fine print. Both units are working without any problems encountered since purchase, with daily temperature variation of up to 2 degrees on the "Normal" setting. To overcome the humidity problem, I place a small bowl with a little water and a wet tea towel in them, otherwise humidity level drops to as low as 45% which happened a few times when I forgot to top up the water - but I haven't had any problems with corks drying out or leakage.

Just a word of advice for those contemplating buying one of the smaller units. It won't be long before you want a bigger one and, finances & space permitting, why not go for a larger unit from the beginning?

It didn't take me long to progress to a larger unit, a 196 bot Liebherr Grand Cru single temperature unit, followed by another one a few months later, both units performing as expected. During the cooler months I ran them at 13 degrees but drop it to 12 during the summer months. Hardly any temperature variation, humidity is within accepted limits and the units look ok as well.

To improve insulation and reduce light inflow, I will apply 3M Scotchtint window tinting (Bronze) to the inside of the glass doors. Not sure if it will make any difference as far as temperature control is concerned but at least the chocolates won't look that tempting to the better half

[5teve]

Hi Guys Newbie in Town...

We bought one of the Homemaker wine coolers this weekend as they were on special and reasonably cheap, and not bad looking!

anyway got it home unpacked it and switched it on... and waited.. and waited.. after 3 days it has just managed to get to 9 degrees (im only storing beer at mo.. didnt want to ruin any wine.. there is Ice on the back where im assuming the cooling element is.. however the sides are HOT very hot... they do cool down.. a bit but generally they are very warm to the touch.. the heat exchanger is split in 2 down each side and from what i can see seems to have the effect of heating the sides up.. inside!

has anyone else got one of these? they are meant to be able to hit 7 degrees and maintain it.. ambient temp is only about 23-25 degrees so it should be able to perform better than this..

the manual says wait a few hours before filling it.. after a few hours it had only reduced temperature by a few degrees..

oh last thing... the compressor is running continuously and the cooler is in free space!

any suggestions.. other than take it back?

Thanks in advance

Steve

[Adam]

I have asked this question before and not received an answer...but...if peltier are so good, why are all the best wine fridges in the world compressors????? (sub zero and the like)....all the cheapest are peltier...

I reckon peltier may work for smaller stuff, but if you have anything of size and want effective cooling you need compressor.

I suspect peltier is not effective at cooling a large space?? could well be wrong here...though I doubt the guys at sub zero are using inefficient technology.

The vibration...well...come on...if you have 20-40 bottles in there, how long are they staying for? and does the minimal vibration from a compressor really matter??? I saw a non scientific study where they put one wine in a paint can shaker for 2 days and one resting in the stable cellar then drank them after settling for an hour or so and had no discernible difference. Does a few minutes a day of minor vibration really affect a wine over a few years?? doubt it...

Anyone??

[GraemeG]

has anyone else got one of these? they are meant to be able to hit 7 degrees and maintain it.. ambient temp is only about 23-25 degrees so it should be able to perform better than this..

the manual says wait a few hours before filling it.. after a few hours it had only reduced temperature by a few degrees..

Well, you don't want 7 degrees anyway, do you? I'd set it for 13C - that's perfectly fine. Might stress the unit less as well. Can it maintain 13C when the ambient is 35C, that's the question.
cheers,
Graeme