In order to conduct the cooling or heating operation most effectively and energy efficiently, our selectable Duty Cycle feature provides a more controlled and smoother temperature change, also helping to prevent “overshoot” cooling or heating after the desired temperature has been achieved and the unit shuts OFF. During its operation the chiller or heater will be turned ON and OFF for periods of time in a repeated pattern during its operation, if this feature is selected.
Get rid of that wine-rack on top of the fridge!
Whether it’s a valued high-quality wine to keep, or even your everyday wine, it’s important to protect it from the deteriorating effects of such storage, such as the little rack on the fridge, or in kitchen cabinets over the stove, or even a closet or other spaces where the temperature will vary several degrees daily or weekly. For more important and qualified info, see our FAQ #1 for the whole story. Cheers!
Our unique Bottle-Probe sensor
Our WINE-STAT controller was first conceived and designed in the mid-’80’s, and included our unique bottle-probe temperature sensing concept, in order to monitor and maintain the actual temperature of the wine being stored. Placing the probe sealed inside a bottle provides a “surrogate” for a bottle of wine, and is the temperature reference for the WINE-STAT to operate the storage fridge. See our previous blog for the resulting wine temperature, held within about +/- 1/2 degree F.
Wine stored in a Fridge
We are often asked “Why can’t I use a refrigerator alone for storing my wine?”
There are two reasons why a refrigerator without the benefit of proper temperature control as provided by our WINE-STAT II is not suitable for wine storage:
First, it is well understood that temperature in the range of about 50 to 65 degrees is most suitable for the proper protection and aging of wine (nominally 55°is ideal). The warmest possible setting of the typical refrigerator thermostat is about 40 to 43 degrees. The addition of the WINE-STAT II provides a range of adjustable temperature from 49 to 65 degrees (factory pre-set to 55°, but easily adjusted by the user).
Second, wine needs a constant, steady temperature environment. The type of thermostat in a typical refrigerator allows for a large temperature excursion on a frequent basis, which wine does not like. The accompanying strip chart recordings illustrate a typical refrigerator internal temperature environment in a hot garage, which is seen to vary as much as 5-6°, in as short a time as 20 minutes. With the WINE-STAT II control, the third chart recording of the actual WINE temperature, it can be seen that the WINE-STAT II maintains the selected wine storage temperature resting comfortably within 1°.
How do we compare?
We’re asked occasionally what’s the difference between our controllers and some of those that can be purchased online at a lower cost?
The simple answer is that our products are ruggedly built in the USA to last for many years of service; thus our 3-Year Factory Warranty (5 years for the WINE-STAT, which has been marketed since 1985), with prompt and personal service in the U.S. if ever needed (check our “Testimonials” page for our customer satisfaction). Our controllers are built using components that are rated for much tougher service than needed. For example, our power-switching relay is rated for 30 amps – more than twice for which we rate the maximum load! In addition, they are designed and programmed for simple, intuitive operation with “one-finger” external switch selections – no programming required!
Given the long-term history of satisfaction and many years of service, the annualized extra cost of our products is trivial; and after those many years of use you probably won’t remember what you paid for it!