Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)First, let me start by addressing the other reviews that have been critical of the quality of the Haier Tabletop Wine Cellar. I've used mine for over a month with no issues, and I believe I may have an explanation for others' perceived problems. The unit works by cycling a cooling fan on and off as needed, so it doesn't continuously run like most refrigerators do. Also, its thermostat is extremely particular, i.e. if it senses that it's cold enough, you can't turn it down low enough to force the fan to kick on. Finally, remember that this is a wine cooler, not a mini-fridge, and that wine isn't meant to be kept as cold as other beverages. We have our unit stored in a pantry on the coldest corner of our house and it keeps the wine right while barely running the fan. These circumstances could lead to a misperception that the unit has completely stopped working when in fact, it's just accurately having an "off" cycle. If my Wine Cellar ever does truly stop working, I'll certainly update this review.
Potential dependability issues aside, there are still critical problems with the Tabletop Wine Cellar that keep it from being a realistic solution for most people. The most immediate one is size - when you pull it out of the box, you'll scratch your head wondering whether or not you really picked up the model for "Tabletop" use. Somewhere in the world, counters must be much deeper than where I live! I can't verify the dimensions that are quoted above, but the depth seems suspiciously small. Plus, the instructions for the unit specify that it needs several inches of clearance on the back and sides for ventilation. Taking this additional space into consideration, the Cellar is about the size of a microwave oven but much deeper. Our solution was to put it sideways on a microwave cart in a separate room; however, having to do so is a pretty big deviation from the way that it's advertised. In case you're planning on building it into a cabinet or bar as a workaround, the instructions prohibit that as well (again for ventilation concerns).
The second issue is that even as big as the Wine Cellar is on the outside, it's ironically cramped on the inside. Any bottle bigger than 750 mL will not fit unless you remove one of the wire racks, thus reducing it to an eight-bottle capacity (four 750 and four larger ones). Even if you stick with the standard bottle volume, some unusually-shaped bottles will still not fit. For instance, we found that the extra tall, skinny bottles of Chateau Ste. Michel have to be put in diagonally so that basically only one bottle fits per shelf and then you've got to be careful that it doesn't roll out when you open the door.
On the positive side, the unit is very quiet - even when the fan is running, it's no louder than the fan on a new PC. It's also attractively styled in black with the appearance of a brushed pewter frame for the glass door. The door seal and hinge both feel solid and sturdy. The thermostat actually does result in a range of temperatures, but this of course precludes storing white and red together.
To sum up, the Haier Wine Cellar attempts to do the impossible - providing a chiller spacious enough for a case of wine yet compact enough to fit neatly on a kitchen countertop - but ultimately can't quite do it. I haven't experienced any of the motor failure problems that others have described (yet); mine has been a reliable performer. Unfortunately, the additional workaround of where to keep the unit and what to do about the bottles that won't fit in it reduce the Wine Cellar to much less than a hassle-free solution.
PROS
* Cooling fan is very quiet when running
* Accurate thermostat provides a range of temperatures for whites vs. reds
CONS
* Way too large to realistically sit on any countertop
* Can't accommodate large or unusually-shaped wine bottles
Click Here to see more reviews about: Haier HVT12ABS 12-Bottle-Capacity Table-Top Wine Cellar, Black with Silver Trim
Keep up to 12 bottles of red or white wine properly chilled and ready to enjoy with the help of this convenient table-top wine cellar. The unit's thermo-electric cooling system, which involves very few moving parts, delivers ultra-quiet, energy-efficient operation and protects wine from unnecessary vibration. Even more, thermo-electric cooling does not use ozone-depleting chemicals such as CFCs or HCFCs, which means it's better for the environment. The wine cellar also provides an adjustable thermostat, which allows for precisely controlling the internal temperature to ensure excellent results. Other highlights include a silver-trimmed, double-pane insulated glass door for viewing contents at a glance, a recessed door handle for a sleek look, and three full-chrome wire storage racks that make it possible to keep stored wine neatly organized. Great for those who love to entertain or for wine enthusiasts with a growing collection, the wine cellar, which measures 22-5/16 by 18-1/8 by 16 inches, makes a wonderful addition to any countertop or bar area.
