We’ve tried several methods for chilling wines, including ice buckets and the Corkcicle Air. Open wine chillers can be a great tool for caterers, wineries, open bars in warm climates, wine bottle shop owners, and the residential wine enthusiast.
For those looking for a great open-top wine chiller for two, four, six,or more wine bottles, we like the Vinotemp Open Wine Chiller for residential applications and the Summit Appliance units for commercial applications.
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What is an Open Wine Chiller?
Using an open wine chiller is essentially the same as using an ice bucket, just without the fuss of ice and water. This type of chilling device keeps open bottles of wine chilled right before serving. Open wine chillers are often used by caterers or folks who frequently entertain for large crowds like corporate events or weddings.
An open wine chiller can also be used by wine bottle shop owners to chill a wine purchased by a customer who desires to drink the bottle within the next hour or so at a neighboring restaurant, park, or other venue.
The open wine chiller mechanism is typically thermoelectric (meaning, it does not have a compressor). However, compressor models are available in larger sizes (below).
Here’s an example of one of the best-selling residential open wine chillers by Vinotemp:
What are the Advantages of an Open Wine Chiller?
When considering an open wine chiller, some advantages over other wine chilling devices include the following:
Open wine chillers are free from the mess of water and ice. This makes them ideal for wooden tables and for the integrity of your wine label, especially if you want to keep a wine label for a keepsake.
The temperature of an open chiller can range from 41 F to 66 F. This offers a great lower temperature range for sparkling, sweet, and dry white wines, and the upper temperature range is great for red wines.
Open wine chillers keep the wine bottle upright - no chance to have the wine bottle tip over in a large ice bucket.
What are some Disadvantages of Open Wine Chillers
While open wine chillers are very convenient, there are some downsides. You may want to consider the following:
Open wine chillers are more expensive than ice and buckets, so they may not be worth the investment if you don’t entertain often.
These chillers may not accommodate wine bottles with larger diameters, like some Pinot Noir or Champagne bottles.
Open wine chillers require an electrical outlet, which is inconvenient if you don’t have an electrical outlet at your venue. If you do need to run a cable, make sure it is one rated for outdoor applications, like this one:
Do I Need an Open Wine Chiller?
If you don’t frequently entertain, you likely don’t need an open wine chiller. Also, if the location where you will be serving wine does not have an electrical outlet, then the open wine chiller won’t work for you. Instead, consider single bottle wine cooler sleeves, which can be very effective in chilling bottles.
If you are really interested in an open wine chiller but don’t like that the Vinotemp open wine chiller does not have a stopper mechanism, consider this wine chiller - also from Vinotemp - that has a vacuum sealing mechanism:
Open Wine Chillers by Vinotemp and Summit Appliance
Vinotemp has a variety of thermoelectric and smaller capacity open wine chillers. Take a look at the two Vinotemp models most popular with homeowners and wine bottle shops:
Two Bottle Open Wine Chiller by Vinotemp
Four Bottle Open Wine Chiller by Vinotemp
The two-bottle unit weighs just over 9 pounds, while this four-bottle unit is a little over 18 pounds. Both have digital interfaces, little vibration, and run quietly.
Your units should certainly last more than a year. However, having purchased a number of wine refrigerators and electronics over the years, I recommend purchasing an extended warranty. Alternatively, use a premium credit card that offers extended warranties on electronics - just check with your credit card before making the purchase.
Twelve and Six Bottle Open Wine Chiller by Summit Appliance
If two or four bottle systems by Vinotemp are not sufficient capacity for your needs, Summit has this sleek and attractive unit that accommodates twelve bottles!
The Summit Appliance 12-Bottle Open Wine Cooler also has a little six bottle sibling:
The Summit Appliance six and twelve bottles units use compressors for cooling technology. These units should provide years of service for any commercial environment like a wine bar, winery, or bottle shop. The sleek, brushed, stainless steel exterior is gorgeous and it also features beautiful LED lighting. You’ll need a substantial table for either unit, as they weigh over 70 pounds each.
Extended warranties are also available for the twelve bottle unit once the manufacturer’s warranty expires.
Open Wine Chillers: Conclusion
If your home or commercial environment require an open wine chiller, both the Vinotemp (for residential) and Summit Appliance (commercial) should meet your needs. These chillers offer a fast, easy way to chill wine for tasting, entertainment, and more. We hope you find just the one to help you chill out and enjoy your next glass of wine.
Cheers!