How Long Does a Wine Fridge Last?

by Philip Thompson
Updated on 08 July, 2024

As your wine collection starts to grow, wine fridges begin to look like a wise investment.

Wine fridges keep your wine at the perfect temperatures, but, unlike other domestic fridges, conditions within a wine cooler are designed for ideal long term wine storage.

On paper it's a no-brainer!

But how long can you expect your wine fridge to last for?

How Long Do Wine Fridges Last?

The average lifespan of a wine fridge is 10 - 15 years. This is dependent on many things like keeping the wine fridge clean and taking good care of it.

In many ways a wine fridge is very similar to wine, if you buy the right one, look after it well and position it in the right conditions and environment you can expect your wine fridge to last you for a decade or more.

So what can you do to help keep your wine fridge for as long as possible?

What Effects The Lifespan of a Wine Fridge?

The last thing you want is to invest in a wine fridge that only lasts 1-2 years.

Luckily, there are a few factors that will influence how long your wine fridge will last.

Let’s take a quick look at some of the most important ones:

1. Quality of Brand / Manufacture

Wine Fridge in Kitchen

Simply put, the better the quality of the brand or manufacture of wine fridge the longer the fridge should last.

Just like fine Bordeaux can be stored for longer than cheaper table wines, brands of wine fridge matter.

It's quality over quantity, here.

So always buy the best quality brand you can afford, and make sure to ask the person selling you the fridge for their opinions on the best brands to invest in.

Think of them as the sommeliers of the wine fridge world.

2. How You Look After Your Wine Fridge

You’ll get as much out of your wine fridge as you put in it, so if you don’t look after it you can’t expect it to last very long.

Take these steps to make sure your wine fridge is well cared for:

Make sure you clean your wine fridge regularly
Keep the vents as clear as you can
Routinely check important parts such as the thermostat and the seals of the door
Don't open the door too much as this makes the compressor work more often
Position the wine fridge in the right place, away from too much moisture or sub zero temperatures (wine fridges with winter function can work down to 0 degrees C)

Taking these steps should keep your wine fridge functioning perfectly for years to come.

3. Using Your Wine Fridge

First things first, use your wine fridge with care.

Try not to slam the door shut and be gentle when you’re opening and closing the fridge.

4. Loading Your Wine Fridge

You may be eager to use your wine fridge to it full bottle capacity, but when loading your wine fridge try not to put too many bottles in it.

Overloading a wine fridge can affect the air flow inside the fridge and cause your wine fridge to run continuously.

Also, try and pull one shelf out at a time when moving wine bottles in and out of your wine fridge as this can help prevent your wine fridge from ever falling over.

5. Location, Location, Location

Install your cooler away from direct sunlight and sources of heat like radiators, ovens and under floor heating.

Make sure all the vents are clear and that you’re not storing items on top of the fridge - they'll block the ventilation and may fall off if the fridge is opened with force.

Summary of How Long a Wine Fridge Lasts

Heres a summary of everything you need to know about the life span of a wine fridge:

Key Factors	Description
Life Span	A quality wine fridge typically lasts 10 - 15 years with proper care.
Brand/Manufacturer	Choosing a reputable brand or manufacturer increases the fridge's lifespan.
Care and Maintenance	Regular cleaning, keeping vents clear, checking important parts, and avoiding excessive door opening help prolong the fridge's lifespan.
Proper Use	Being gentle with the door, avoiding overloading, and careful movement of bottles contribute to the fridge's longevity.
Location	Position the fridge away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and obstruction of vents.

Before You Go...

It’s very simple, treat your wine fridge as you would like to be treated and the two of you will have years of drinking fun to enjoy.

By following these simple steps you should be able to make your wine fridge last for as long as physically possible, giving you over a decade's worth of use in the process.

We hope this provides you with all the answers on how long does a wine fridge last.

If you have any questions, leave them in the comments, or email us at info@expertwinestorage.co.uk

If you want to learn more about other types, consider our related blog posts: Wine Storage Guides

Expert Wine Storage can help you find a luxury wine fridge to store your precious wine collection.