Kitchenaid Wine Coolers & Beverage Centers - Architect II Series Home Cellars Review

Kitchenaid wine coolers are elegant medium size home cellars designed for either freestanding or under-the-counter built-in use. The Kitchenaid Architect II Series wine storage units include two temperature zone dedicated wine coolers and three temperature zone wine cooler & beverage centers.

There are models that require custom frame and handle: the customer will need to make or have the overlay frame and handle made by a cabinetmaker or carpenter.

Overview of Kitchenaid Wine Coolers - Architect II Series, 46 Bottles, Dual-Zone

The Kitchenaid Undercounter Wine Coolers with Right Hand or Left Hand Door Swing (Models KUWS24RSSS and KUWS24LSBS) have manual thermostat so they aren't true dual zone units.

Kitchenaid Wine Cooler, 46-bottle, 24", Architect Series

Setting the Temperature

The mechanical thermostat's dial is on the base grille and it is set tot he middle at the factory. The manufacturer suggests that you leave the cooler on the f-ctory setting for optimal cooling.

If you want to set the wine fridge to cooler (warmer) temp. turn the knob clockwise (counter clockwise). The temerature range of Kitchenaid wine coolers is 45°F - 64°F

If you need to adjust the temperature, wait at least 24 hours between adjustments and then recheck the temperature.

The instruction manual of the cooler recommends that "for optimum wine storage, place white wines at the top of the wine cellar, light red wines in the center and red wines at the bottom".

Display

The LED readout integrated into the zone separator in the middle of the cabinet shows the current temperature in the upper and lower zones either in Fahrenheit or Celsius.

Shelving

There are 5 slide-out metal racks with unstained maple fronts. The bottom shelf can be used for display purpose. Shelves are removable (follow instructions in the appliance's manual)

Interior Light

The cabinet interior is illuminated with soft lighting that turns on whenever the door is opened.

You can turn the light on/off at any time by opening the door and pressing the exterior switch located beside the temperature control knob on the base grille.

Kitchenaid 46-Bottle Wine Cellar (KUWS24RSSS, right hand door swing)
Review & Rating

Features Overview

Capacity: 46 bottles, top zone: 16, bottom zone: 28
Design:
- Cabinet color: two color options: black cabinet with black interior, black front grille or all stainless steel cabinet
- Door: stainless steel-trimmed, tempered and tinted glass door with stainless steel bar handle, right hand door swing,
Cooling method: compressor, auto defrost
Number of zones: two temperature zones
Built-in/Freestanding: both, front ventilation
Temperature Control
- Thermostat:
  mechanical thermostat: a dial mounted on the front grille (manufacturer suggests to set it to the middle): temperature cannot be set independently for the two zones.
- Temperature Range:
  45°F - 64°F

Shelving: 5 natural maple wood front metal shelves - gliding, removable, the bottom rack is designed for displaying wines
Humidity level: not adjustable
Noise: according to the manual: "Your new wine cellar may make sounds that your old one didn’t
make. Because the sounds are new to you, you might be
concerned about them. Most of the new sounds are normal. Hard
surfaces, such as the flooring and surrounding structures, can
make the sounds seem louder."
Dimensions (H x W x D): 35 1/8" x 23 3/4" x 26 3/8"
Shipping Weight: 160 lbs.
Price range: cc. US$ 1450 - 1700 (US$ 31.52 - 36.95/bottle).
Warranty: 1 year limited Parts & Labor warranty

Pros & Cons

Pros:
- attractive, well-built wine fridge
- easy to install and use
- fairly quiet
Cons:
- no true dual zone unit,
- mechanical temp. control
- expensive - there are more affordable with real two zones and digital temperature control