Best Mini Cellar to Purchase?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by TjMosby, Nov 30, 2015.

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  1. TjMosby

    TjMosby Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2015 Arizona

    Hi all,
    Newbie to cellaring, and by new I mean I drink all my beer currently. However, I just scored a decently sized stash of the whole range of 2015 Bourbon Countys. I plan to drink most of them, but I also want to let some of them sit for a year or so (especially the regular which seems a bit rough around the edges at this time).
    I'm an engineering student and I rent a room, so no option to buy a gigantic fridge or put in some of these baller set-ups that some of you have.

    Please suggest a decent sized, temperature controlled, and reasonably priced (under $400?) mini cellar appliance for me to start my entrance into the cellar-aged beer world.

    Thank you!
     
    #1 TjMosby, Nov 30, 2015
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  2. srgehl

    srgehl Crusader (437) Oct 22, 2014 New Jersey

    Under $400 I'd just pick up a wine fridge at that price... Sunlight is the biggest problem... Next is a stable temp.
     
    #2 srgehl, Nov 30, 2015
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  3. TjMosby

    TjMosby Initiate (0) Sep 8, 2015 Arizona


    Thanks, that's what I was thinking. I guess that is where my question comes in. I know not all wine fridges are created equal and most of them appear to be made for bottle storage on its side. I'd like to have room for 15-20 bottles standing up, and as little temp fluctuation as possible. Especially since I live in AZ.
     
    #3 TjMosby, Nov 30, 2015
  4. Jwale73

    Jwale73 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,966) Aug 15, 2007 Rhode Island
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    A wine fridge will do you just fine. I have a Danby Millennium - I keep it at a steady 50 degrees. Standing up, I can fit about 30 large format bottles. I just removed some of the racks and have two tiers. It's basically the size of a large dorm fridge.
     
    #4 Jwale73, Nov 30, 2015
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  5. JonnyBeers

    JonnyBeers Savant (1,211) Oct 24, 2012 Canada (BC)

    KoolR starts around $600usd I think, but you're gonna get twice as much if not more space than a mini cellar. Cheap cabinet build but the compressor keeps a nice steady temp.
     
    #5 JonnyBeers, Dec 3, 2015
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  6. Stoutwhisperer

    Stoutwhisperer Devotee (382) Nov 25, 2014 North Carolina
    Trader

    Go to Craiglist and find a used wine cooler....I got a 36 bottle wine cooler for $75 and took the wine racks out and put in shelving. It gives me three levels - the bottom are the bombers, next level for 12 oz. bottles, and the top level for cans. Works great! You can accomplish what you want for $100.....save the other $300 for more beer!
     
    #6 Stoutwhisperer, Dec 4, 2015
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  7. deadsincebirth

    deadsincebirth Initiate (0) Jul 24, 2014 Illinois

    Smaller chest freezer with a temp control. Well under $400. Works great.
     
    #7 deadsincebirth, Dec 4, 2015
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