How often should I vacuum the vent and the condenser?

Every few months. Vacuum the vent and the condenser. A wine cooler built into cabinets gets less air than it looks like, and Arizona heat leaves it no room for error.

How often should I check the door seal and make sure the hinges are lined up?

Every few months. Check the door seal and make sure the hinges are lined up. A glass door that's out of line can't hold a steady temperature, and a steady temperature is what you bought it for.

How often should I put a thermometer on a middle shelf for a day?

Yearly. Put a thermometer on a middle shelf for a day. Thermoelectric units especially drift as they age, and slow drift spoils wine long before the unit looks broken.

Wine Cooler Maintenance & Repair Tips | My Appliance Repair Pro

What usually fails on a wine cooler here

A warm wine cooler is usually an airflow problem before it's a cooling problem. A built-in unit breathes through its front grille, and a condenser packed with dust can't get rid of heat in an Arizona kitchen. After that it's the fan motor, the thermostat or the control board. On thermoelectric units it can be the cooling module itself, which can't keep up once the room gets much past 80 degrees.

Check this first — about two minutes

Do this before you pay anyone to come out. Sometimes it's all it takes, and we'd rather tell you that than charge you a visit to say it.

1Clear anything in front of the bottom grille, and on a freestanding unit give it a few inches at the back.
2Then leave a thermometer in a glass of water on a middle shelf overnight.
3That tells you the real temperature, which the display often doesn't.

Keeping a wine cooler out of trouble

Most of the calls we get could have been prevented. These are the few jobs that make a real difference.

Every few months
Vacuum the vent and the condenser. A wine cooler built into cabinets gets less air than it looks like, and Arizona heat leaves it no room for error.
Every few months
Check the door seal and make sure the hinges are lined up. A glass door that's out of line can't hold a steady temperature, and a steady temperature is what you bought it for.
Yearly
Put a thermometer on a middle shelf for a day. Thermoelectric units especially drift as they age, and slow drift spoils wine long before the unit looks broken.

Free reminders Get a reminder when wine cooler maintenance is due By text, email or both. Two or three a year, each with the one job that matters that month. Sign me up

When to stop and call someone

Stop here Don't push past this Stop and call if the temperature swings more than a few degrees over a day, or if you hear the compressor kicking on and off constantly. Both put the wine at risk, and the wine is usually worth more than the repair. Schedule Service

Other appliances

Past the point of a home fix?

Call and we'll give you a flat rate before anyone starts, and tell you straight if it's not worth fixing.

Call (480) 791-8858 Schedule Service

(520) 788-4004 for Pinal County · (480) 791-8858 for Maricopa County