The Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler is manufactured by one of the brands owned by Digital Products International. That brand is Culinair. So you can call DPI the parent company.
In 1971, when DPI was founded, the brand name was Dick Proctor Imports. At the time, it was majorly involved in the importation of consumer electronics that were manufactured by Orient.
A lot had happened in the company – with a few management and brand name changes – when in 2007, the brand adopted its current name, Digital Products International. It was after this period that DPI started introducing its subsidiaries to the market.
Among the brands owned by DPI are iLive, Zeki, SkyRider, Gran Prix, Memorex, iLive Platinum, and of course, Culinair.
Culinair was introduced in 2010 as a manufacturer of affordable and stylish appliances for homes and kitchens. Its line of products include wine coolers of all types as well as mini fridges.
In this review of its 16-Bottle Wine Cooler we will give you all the information you need so that you can decide if this is the wine cooler for you.
Table of Contents
Who Needs the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler?
The Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler is a thermoelectric cooling appliance that is designed for wines of different kinds.
The thermoelectric cooling technology of this wine cooler makes it vibration and noise-free. Of course, it is important that we point out that not all wine coolers with this technology deliver well on low noise levels. But the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler did a fine job with noise level.
So, if you are that wine lover or enthusiast who is averse to sounds from cooling appliances then you will find this wine cooler useful.
Also, when it comes to vibration management, apart from the cooling technology that was incorporated into this wine cooler, adjustable feet are also featured to avoid vibrations that can cause disturbance to the wine sediments in the bottle.
Besides, since the operating temperature of thermoelectric wine coolers depend on the temperature of the room they are placed in, this wine cooler I designed in such way that at any given time, the obtainable temperature in the unit can go as low as 30 degrees below the room temperature.
More so, this wine cooler is efficient and will be suitable for bringing wines to their optimum serving temperatures.
Lest we forget, of the various wine coolers in the market, it is so heart-warming to learn that the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler is suitable for use in California. So, if you live in California and have been having a hard time getting a suitable wine cooler, then you should consider this one by Culinair.
But before you make that purchase, it will help you if you can stay a little longer to learn more about the features of this wine cooler, its downsides, and what users have to say about it.
Features of the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler
Efficient Cooling
One of the good things about the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler is that it does its primary job well. And by primary job, we mean bringing wines to their optimum temperature.
The wine cooler also comes with a temperature control that allows users set the unit to their preferred temperatures. So, if for any reason you need to change the cooling temperature in the unit, the control will make the task easy.
Low Noise Level
Noisy appliances generally don’t sit well with most people and that is in fact very understandable. This is why we find it commendable that the noise level of the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler was properly checked before the unit was placed in the market.
Now while the unit is not a pin-drop-silent one, we think the low and soft humming sounds are easy to ignore. The sounds are that low.
Of course, when it comes to sounds in thermoelectric cooling units, the culprit, more often than not, is the cooling fan. It may even get worse with bad installation procedures like not allowing ample clearance around the unit. You should definitely take note of this.
The Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler reaches set temperatures in a short time; as opposed to the 24-hour timeline for most thermoelectric wine coolers.
Removable Shelves
The Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler also features 4 chrome shelves that are removable. The idea of the shelves being removable is to make room for larger bottles to fit in. The other reason that the removable feature of the shelves is useful is to make cleaning easy.
The chrome shelves of this wine cooler are also scalloped so that the bottles can sit in on the shelves well enough to prevent one bottle from rolling into one another.
Compact and Lightweight
We think it is important to state that the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler is not a countertop appliance. That said, the wine cooler is a compact and lightweight model.
The compactness of the wine cooler makes it suitable for installation in almost any location. This means it can fit into small kitchens and personal spaces without hassles. For instance, you can have it as a side table in a living room without having to worry about it looking awkward there.
The lightweight feature makes it easy to move the unit from one location to another. So, say you’ve had the unit in a particular location for a while or you’ll be moving, moving it promises to be easy.
Pros of the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler
- Cools efficiently.
- Removable scalloped shelves for flexible storage.
- Compact and lightweight.
- Features adjustable thermostat for temperature control.
- Has a low noise level.
- Suitable for aging wines.
- Stainless steel look makes it blend with existing themes.
Cons of the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler
- It doesn’t have a temperature indicator.
- There are no interior lights in the unit.
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Fancy a 16-Bottle Wine Cooler with Temperature Indicator and Interior Lights? Then Check Out The Whynter 16-Bottle Wine Cooler with Lock
If you are keen on a 16-bottle wine cooler that will provide you with information on the operating temperature of the wine cooler, then the Whyner 16-Bottle Wine Cooler may be a good option.
This wine cooler features an adjustable thermostat and a temperature display screen so that you can control and monitor the temperature at which the wine cooler cools your wines. Thankfully, these features are located on the unit’s door. So, you won’t need to open the wine cooler every now and then to adjust the temperature.
There’s a bonus!
This wine cooler also comes with a lock and key. So, for those who are keen on the safety of your wines, here’s one wine cooler that can fulfill your safety needs.
You can read our review of this wine cooler here.
Would You Like a unit with Larger Capacity? Then Check Out The Whynter 24-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler
The Whynter 24-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler could be what you need instead. That’s if the 18-bottle wine cooler will not cater to your storage needs well. Of course, there are other wine coolers with larger capacity. But we thought you could use a wine cooler with slightly more room like this product.
The Whynter 16-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler is a thermoelectric unit that provides dual cooling for all sorts of wines. So, if your collection includes wines that require different cooling temperatures, then you may want to try this wine cooler.
The top zone cools within the temperature range of 54 degrees Fahrenheit to 66 degrees Fahrenheit. While the bottom zone cools within the range of 46 degrees and 66 degrees.
Each of the two zones is able to accommodate 12 wine bottles. And thanks to the stainless steel scalloped shelves, the wine bottles can fit into the shelves without rolling against each other.
That said, we think this wine cooler is a good bargain; especially because of what it offers.
Thinking Of A More High-End Single Zone Option? Then Try The Allavino Cascina 34-Bottle Single Zone Wine Cooler
This wine cooler by Allavino is a freestanding cooling appliance that lends storage to 34 standard-sized wine bottles.
It has an exquisite and classy design that makes it suitable in kitchens, living rooms, offices, bars, and just about anywhere it is installed. The stainless steel look of the door and the unit’s black cabinet are uniquely combined to compliment exiting décor.
It also features modern like a digital thermostat, nice LED light in blue color as well as features that dampen vibrations.
You may also like the vintage look that the 6 wooden shelves add to the wine cooler. And in the event that your collection includes large and extra-large wine bottles, it has a roomy compartment at the bottom where such bottles can be stored.
Quick Comparison
| Featured Product | Temperature Indicator and Interior Light | Larger Capacity | More High-End | |
| Product | Koldfront 16-Bottle Wine Cooler | Whynter 16-Bottlle Wine Cooler with Lock | Whynter 24-Bottle Dual Zone Wine Cooler | Allavino Cascina 34-Bottle Single Zone Wine Cooler with Lock |
| Dimensions | 20.2 inches x 17.2 inches x 21.1inches | 19 inches x 17 inches x 20 inches | 14 inches x 20.25 inches x 33.5 inches | 19 inches x 20.4 inches x 33.1 inches |
| Capacity | 16 bottles | 16 bottles | 24 bottles | 34 bottles |
| Cooling System | Thermoelectric | Thermoelectric | Thermoelectric | Thermoelectric |
| Zoning | Single Zone | Single Zone | Dual Zone | Single Zone |
| Installation Type | Freestanding | Freestanding | Freestanding | Freestanding |
| Available Sizes | 16-Bottle | 16-Bottle
28-Bottle |
24-Bottle | 34-Bottle |
| Available Colors | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel | Black | Black /Stainless Steel |
| Shelves | 4 Chrome Shelves | 3 Chrome Shelves | 6 Stainless Steel Shelves | 6 Wooden Shelves |
What Users Are Saying About The Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler
The opinions on the Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler vary and it is largely based on customers’ individual preferences.
So, for instance, a customer mentioned that the temperature range of this wine cooler makes the unit more efficient for aging wines than for chilling them. But someone else said he liked the temperature at which his wines were chilled. There’s really no long or right opinion here. So, it depends on what the customer wants.
The absence of interior lights was another point that some customers raised. Having to deal with it, like the cooling mode of the wine cooler, also depends on what the customer prioritizes.
For instance, some customers said they were absolutely fine without the lights. And one customer particularly mentioned that he rarely goes in and out of the unit. So, he was fine with or without the lights.
Some other people couldn’t stand the thought of not being able to enjoy the nice ambience of soft light; especially at night when illumination may be required to view the unit’s contents.
However, one issue that was common to most users is the absence of a temperature indicator. Not being able to tell the operating temperature of the unit at any given time was a concern. Nonetheless, some were able to salvage the situation by buying a refrigerator temperature.
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Our Verdict
We think the Koldfront 16-Bottle Wine Cooler is a good no frills wine cooler that provides efficient wine cooling. And this verdict is after weighing the pros and cons of having the unit and the price at which it sells.
So, we like the fact that even though it is not perfect for counter tops, it is compact and lightweight. This means moving and installing it in preferred locations can go on without hassles.
Also, while we are aware that this wine cooler is originally designed for 16 standard-sized bottles, the fact that the shelves are removable means larger bottles can be placed in the wine cooler. Sadly, doing this will reduce the storage capacity of the unit.
On the flip side, the absence of a thermometer in form of a temperature indicator is not one that we like. This only means those who are keen on monitoring the temperature of the wine cooler will need to get a refrigerator thermometer separately.
Or maybe we can forgive that…
But in the name of everything bright and illuminating, why won’t this wine cooler come with interior light. Granted that it features a clear, see-through glass door for adequate viewing of the unit, nothing beat being able to view the collection at night.
All that said, if you think you can deal with this issues, then you should place an order for your own Culinair 16-Bottle Wine Cooler here.
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