Wine Cabinet Placement Requirements

POWER REQUIREMENT

The cooling unit plugs into a standard wall outlet. The components of the cooling unit draw 3 amps, and the electric outlet on the side of the cooling unit also is rated for 3 amps. The cord extends 6 ½ feet from the back of the cabinet. If an extension cord is used, it should be 14-gauge wire or thicker, grounded, and as short as possible. We recommend using a surge protector rated at 15 amps or more.

FLOOR SURFACE UNDERNEATH THE CABINET

Because of the significant weight of your wine cabinet, it is important that it be placed on a hard surface, otherwise the cabinet may become skewed if the doors settle unevenly over time. If you will be placing your cabinet on thick carpeting, consider placing a carpet board underneath the wine cabinet. You can purchase a carpet board from Le Cache, or you can have your local hardware store cut a 3/4 inch plywood board to the following dimensions (inches):

IMPORTANT NOTE : Much of the weight of an EMPTY wine cabinet resides in the doors. If your EMPTY wine cabinet is tilting forward when first placed on the carpet board, DO NOT over-compensate by extending the front leveling feet. Instead, load some bottles into the back of the wine cabinet until the weight is more evenly distributed and adjust the leveling feet so that the wine cabinet is properly level. The cabinet no longer should be leaning forward at this point. Additional adjustments may be required to level the wine cabinet front to back as the wine cabinet and carpet board compress the carpet underneath over time.

WEIGHT LOAD FACTOR

After loading your wine cabinet with wine bottles, it will be extremely heavy. When selecting a location for your cabinet, make sure that the floor underneath is strong enough to support the weight of the cabinet.

VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS –
UPRIGHT CABINETS

The heat generated by the cooling unit is ventilated through the top of the cabinet (except credenzas). Consequently, the wine cabinet must have sufficient clearance above the cabinet for the hot air to dissipate. If the hot air generated from the cooling unit cannot be dissipated, the cooling unit will be unable to maintain cold temperatures inside the wine cabinet and/or will run all the time.

For our Contemporary, Modern and Wine Vault Series upright wine cabinets, you’ll need 18 inches of clearance above the cabinet, and for our European Country Series wine cabinets, you’ll need 12 inches of clearance above the cabinet in order for the hot air to dissipate. Please note: If you don’t have enough clearance above the cabinet, we can modify the cabinet’s intake (rear vent modification) so that only 8-9” are required above the cabinet, but 3-4” of space will be required behind the cabinet.

The space above the wine cabinet must be unobstructed – i.e., the sides, top and front of the wine cabinet must be open. In addition, the wine cabinet must be placed in a space that is properly ventilated. The cabinet cannot be placed in an alcove, closet or built-in space unless an exhaust system is installed to evacuate the hot air generated by the cooling unit above the top of the wine cabinet. In addition, access to the top of the wine cabinet is necessary to allow for periodic cleaning of the coils.

VENTILATION REQUIREMENTS –
CREDENZAS & UPRIGHT CABINETS WITH REAR VENT MODIFICATIONS

If you purchased a credenza or a wine cabinet the rear-vent modification , you’ll need to provide AT LEAST 3-4 inches of clearance between the cabinet and the wall behind it so that the cooling unit isn’t forced to intake its own hot air. You’ll also need 8-9” above the cabinet to allow access for periodic maintenance (ie cleaning the condenser coils).

Place the air scoop on the back of the cooling unit (at the back of the credenza) so that hot air is directed left (when facing the credenza)