How to install a built-in wine cooler?

You don't need to have a basement or cellar to have wine storage. You can convert any area of your home, including a closet, into a place to keep your wine. To do this, you need a space that you can close up. Keeping the area at the right temperature and moisture level is possible with a few added pieces of equipment.

Section one: What you'll need

-Remove all objects from the closet. Leave the shelf in place for storage of a water container. -Purchase wine bottle racks that will fit the opening of the closet. -Place as many in the closet as you can, or as many as you need. -Arrange them so that you will easily be able to remove and place bottles in all slots. -Anchor the back posts of the racks to the walls of the closet if you are concerned about balance. -Tap drywall anchors into the walls on either side of a back post. -Place C-shaped pipe brackets over the back post of the rack, and screw them in to the drywall anchors using two-inch screws. -Do this for the back posts on the left and right side of each rack. -Place the C-brackets near the top of the rack. This should keep them from toppling.

Section two: Steps

- Purchase a thermometer and a humidity gauge. This helps to keep track of what the environment in the closet is and allows you to make adjustments, if necessary. It is best to buy one that records the readings, so you can see the fluctuations throughout the day. - Place a portable air conditioner in the closet to maintain at a temperature of 55 degrees. - Try to get a programmable one so that you can adjust it if needed, or at least one with an auto feature. You will need to have an electrician to install an outlet, or you will need to run an extension cord out of the closet to the nearest one. - Drill a hole to the outside for the exhaust hose on the air conditioner. - Caulk around the hole to make it water-tight. - Place an open container of water on the shelf. - Fill the container only half-full so that it doesn't slosh out as you put it in place. The size of the container is up to you, and depends on how much you can lift and how often you want to refill it.

Uses

Once installed, the wine chillers fridges or coolers can also be used as wine cellars. If you're not really one for vino or wine coolers, you could use it for beer storage and make it a home beer fridge or chiller.