In recent years, wine coolers have moved out of the realm of wine snobbery and into the mainstream. It’s not just people with expensive and rare vintages who are interested in these handy appliances, but everyday wine drinkers who would like to keep a few bottles at the perfect drinking temperature. While the perception about wine fridges has changed, many still aren’t suitable for the average sized home. And if space is at a premium in your kitchen, finding a wine chiller that will fit in will be a challenge.
One option for those who would like a compact, freestanding cellar is the FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler. It looks good, can easily fit inside most kitchens, and is a cinch to operate. But does its performance stack up? Here’s a closer look at this fun little electric wine cooler.
Details
Size
The most notable feature of the FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is its size. It’s only 16 inches wide, 19.5 inches deep, and 11 inches tall, making it a candidate for counter top storage or to go into tight spaces. Whether you have a large kitchen or a very small one, you can probably find a place to fit this chiller and have room to spare.
Operation
Out of the box, the product looks good and only needs to be plugged in and allowed to chill before it’s used. It has two shelves that each hold four bottles, for a total capacity of eight wine bottles. The fan inside of the FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler is thermoelectric, energy efficient, reduces vibration, and runs relatively quietly. It’s not silent by any means, but it definitely won’t drown out what’s going on in your home. You’ll eventually get used to the sound and stop noticing it.
Temperature Control
To control the fridge you use its electronic touchpad, and the temperature is displayed an the LED screen. Here’s where this cooler can get iffy. It doesn’t always reach the temperature that it’s set to. Usually this happens when you don’t position the unit with enough space for ventilation. Make sure you keep it about 2 inches from the wall for best functioning. The lowest the temperature can be set to 44 degrees F. That makes this model best for red wines, as you might need to pop whites into the fridge for a bit before drinking. Still, if you’re a big red drinker and you don’t need tons of storage, this cooler could fit the bill.
Pros
The FireBird 8-Bottle Wine Cooler has some features and benefits that we worth noting:
- It’s small and can fit in just about any kitchen space.
- Its color palette and design are neutral enough to complement most decor styles.
- This fridge is easy to set up and use.
- It holds eight bottles, which will meet the needs of many.
Cons
For all its good features, this wine cooler has some points of concern:
- It’s temperature control isn’t 100% reliable.
- If you need to store more than eight bottles, this isn’t a good option.
Summary
If you most frequently drink red wine, or you don’t mind using this cooler just for storing reds, its price point makes it a decent option. It’s small, has no fuss operation, and works for the most part. However, if you’re thinking of storing sparkling wines or whites, and your intent is to get a cooler that will keep them at drinking temperature, it’s best to look into a different cooler.
