Pros and Cons of the Two Types of Wine Refrigerators

Collecting wine is just like any other collection hobby, however, it is not as simple as collecting coins or many other collections. Wines are considered perishable, so it is important that your collection is stored correctly. Proper wine storage is necessary to help the wines keep their taste and texture. Therefore, as a wine enthusiast, you require either a wine fridge or a wine refrigerator.

A durable wine fridge provides the optimum conditions like correct humidity and temperature levels to keep a wine tasting perfect. To age wines, or for long-term storage of wines, a wine fridge will help the wine develop its taste with its age. It also provides a vibration-free storage environment to stop wines from spoiling.

There are two types of wine refrigerators in the market today. One is the freestanding fridge and the other is the built-in wine fridge.

A freestanding wine refrigerator can stand alone while if you require one to be in a cabinet or under counter, the built-in one would be best suited.

A freestanding wine fridge allows you to store more bottles of wines because it is often larger than any other type and is therefore perfect for a large collection. Also, the freestanding type can still be used as a built-in refrigerator as it can be placed under a counter provided that there is adequate space for ventilation. The vents of this fridge are at the back.

On the other hand, the built-in wine fridge, is usually smaller and often custom made to perfectly fit in kitchens and bars. Some are even trimmed with steel rims to match in with the steel appliances in many kitchens. As it is built-in, it does not require much space in the kitchen and will also not require ventilation as the vents are at the front.

If you are looking at buying a wine refrigerator for your collection, then you should get yours from Relax At Home, the leader in home appliances like wine refrigerators, massage chairs, and more.

Continue visiting Home Relaxation Guide blog for more information about wine storage. Also Like our Official Facebook Page or Follow Us on Twitter to be updated on the different wine storage products and other relaxation items. Shop, Save and Relax at Home!

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Questions to Ask if You're To Purchase a Wine Refrigerator

Every wine enthusiast aims to keep their wine collection in perfect condition, form and taste. They therefore need wine refrigerators or a wine fridge. Having such equipment will keep the wines from spoiling and being wasted. Considering that each bottle can be very costly, especially for vintage bottles, there is a need to find the perfect wine refrigerators or wine fridge.

If you are thinking about buying a wine fridge, then you have to think about the basic considerations so you don’t end up purchasing the incorrect one.

First, you obviously need to have an idea of how many bottles you need to store. From this, you can decide whether you will get a freestanding unit, which is best for a larger collection, or the built-in type, which is best suited to smaller wine collections.

Then, you need to consider if brand is important to you. There are a lot of suppliers and sellers of such wine refrigerators in the internet today. But you should consider buying from Relax At Home who have been around for a long time and provide quality appliances like wine fridge and massage chairs.

You also have to consider where you are planning to position it. If you buy the freestanding fridge, you need to have a bigger space to allow plenty of ventilation. But if you want the built in fridge, you will only need a space on the counter or in the kitchen cabinet.

Consider also the storage features of your wine fridge. There are some which offer convenient slide out shelving, others are fixed.  And since wine bottles don’t come in exactly the same sizes, you may need to consider if the fridge shelving is adjustable to allow storage of magnum style bottles or those that are slightly larger than the standard wine bottles.

Consider your budget. It is definitely cheaper to buy a wine refrigerator than to have a wine cellar. But if you are thinking about expanding your collection and you have plenty of room, you may need to go straight for a wine cellar as you don’t want to end up buying a wine fridge and then converting to a wine cellar within a limited time.

Keep on visiting Home Relaxation Guide blog for more information about wine storage. Also Like our Official Facebook Page or Follow Us on Twitter to be updated on the different wine storage products and other relaxation items. Shop, Save and Relax at Home!

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The History and Development of Massage

If you enjoy a massage, then you should also be familiar with its history. Massage basically means “the manipulation of deeper and superficial layers of connective tissue and muscle to enhance body function”. It is performed by applying pressure, vibration, tension, squeezing of other actions. 

The word massage had been influenced by the French “friction of kneading”, the Arabic massage named “massa” which literally meant to touch, feel or handle, and from a Greek verb referring to “handle, touch, to work with the hands, to knead dough”.

MASSAGE is considered to be beneficial to the human body as it eliminates pain, reduces emotional conditions such as anxiousness and depression, lowers blood pressure and heart rate. It is also known to aid in the release of endorphins and serotonin and prevent the growth of fibroids and scar tissue.

With the development of technology and the hectic lifestyle of people, the very first massage chair was invented in 1962. It was designed and made in Japan to give comfort, relief and relaxation and mimic the movements and strokes of a professional masseuse. The finest massage chair is the obvious convenient solution for immediate relief of aches and pains without having to make appointments, step out of the house and paying a masseuse for each visit.  Today, the Japanese massage chairs are still leading the way in the massage chair industry.

A massage chair in Perth that can be purchased from Relax At Home are an example of a durable and built-to-last massage chair.

Continue visiting Guide to Relaxation at Home blog to know more about massage and massage chair products . I recommend you also visit our official Relax at Home website or you can Like Us on Facebook. You can also Follow Us on Twitter to get in touch with us.

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Massage Chair As a Good Christmas Gift

With the yuletide season fast approaching, there’s no better time to think of a good Christmas gift whether for yourself or for others.

And in today’s fast-paced and stressful lifestyle, the kneading, rolling and stretching automated actions of a good massage chair like the  massage chair in Perth are a good alternative to the traditional massage, where time and financial constraints are of major concern.

A massage chair, which is an electronic chair that is designed to provide relaxation in the form of massages, is a great Christmas gift idea. You do not only get a useful investment but you also get a beneficial and convenient one for relieving your body from accumulated stress and tension brought about by the demands of today's stressful hectic world.

Aside from being a useful and beneficial gift idea, massage chairs can also provide you the health benefits of:

Relieving stress. The kneading, stretching and rolling vibrations of the chair have been proven to stimulate the release of the body's feel-good endorphins which result in reduced levels of stress and pain. Also, according to a review of more than a dozen massage studies, the massaging actions of the massage chairs are known to lower cortisol levels by up to 53%. Cortisol is a type of hormone secreted into the bloodstream termed as “the stress hormone” which has been shown to be responsible for several stress-related changes in the body.

Aids in proper blood circulation. The compression air actions of a massage chair, along with the chair’s embedded heaters which produce heat, is known to help dilate the blood vessels throughout your body; thus, increasing circulation of your blood through the body.

Improves posture. Ergonomically designed, massage chairs are engineered to help maintain the natural S-Curve of your spine along the neck, upper & lower back; thus, improving your posture.

Always visit our blog for the latest about massage chairs. Also you can Like us on Facebook or Follow us on Twitter for more updates about various relaxation products. Shop, Save and Relax at Home!

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Wine Storage: What You Need To Know

Nowadays, more and more people have come to appreciate wines. Pairing wines with food is now becoming increasingly popular. An increasing number of people are now collecting wines not just to appreciate them and pair them with foods but also as an investment.

As wines are perishable and very sensitive to its environment, it is very important to store wine in its optimum condition in a proper storage facility like a wine cooler refrigerator or wine cellar.

And just as enjoying wine is a multi-sensory experience; involving taste, smell, color and feel as you partake in that expensive French Bordeaux; storing wines have multiple aspects to consider, ensuring that your wine will evolve to its full potential instead of turning to vinegar by the time you get around to opening it!

The essence of proper wine storage is to keep the wines in its optimal conditions and when properly managed, there’s no better feeling than turning your young, vibrant wine into a mature classic for you to enjoy.

Here are some POINTERS for Wine Collectors or those who are just starting out, about the basics you should know about wine storage:

Temperature

There are many  great wine collections that have been damaged by instability in temperature and moisture. Of all the storage factors that will adversely affect your wine, fluctuating temperature is the most damaging. The ideal temperature range is between 45° F and 65° F, with optimal wine storage right around 55°F.

For storing red wines, 50-55ºF or 10-16ºC while for white wines, they can be stored at lower ranges at 45ºF. So, make sure to have consistent temperatures, as dramatic fluctuations in temperature will damage the wine and the cork.

High temperature (>65ºF) can cause the wine to age prematurely; thus, losing its flavor and balance. When chilled too cold, the wine freezes and expands, pushing out and damaging the cork, which will allow more oxygen to be exposed to the wine, reducing the wine's delicate but complex flavor and aromas.

Proper Lighting

Wines when exposed to strong, direct sunlight or incandescent light can have an adverse reaction, negatively affecting the flavor of the wine significantly and resulting in premature aging or even spoilage. This is because the sun’s UV rays can degrade and prematurely age wine. That’s why wine bottles and most wine coolers are being tinted with dark colored glass, most with UV filters incorporated, to allow very little light to get to the wine.

But, take note that this does not necessarily offer full UV protection. So, store your wines in dark, cellar-like conditions like in wine cellars, or wine refrigerator or cooler.

Position of Wine Bottles in the Storage

Remember to always keep your wine either horizontally, at a 45º angle with the cork facing down or somewhere in between. Storing in this position will keep the wine in constant contact with the cork ensuring the cork will stay moist and not dry out. Thereby, this will minimize the probability of the cork cracking or shrinking and enabling air into the bottle, which will oxidize the wine and spoil the wine’s aromas, flavors and color.

How to Pick the Right Wine Storage for your Wine

Depending on the size of your collection, you can store your wine in a wine refrigerator, turn your basement / spare room into a wine cellar, or buy other wine cooler options. No matter what your choice is, just be sure to set and monitor the temperature, humidity, and aging period.

Humidity

The wine’s ideal humidity level is between 60% - 70%. A higher humidity level tends to create mildew or mold on the cork as well as spot and damaged your labels, negatively affecting the market value of fine wine.

On the other hand, low humidity can cause corks to dry out and crack, allowing more air into the bottle, leading to rapid spoilage. So, make sure to maintain humidity level range to keep the corks from drying out while preventing the formation of unwanted mold.

Keep on visiting Home Relaxation Guide blog for more information about wine storage. Also Like our Official Facebook Page or Follow Us on Twitter to be updated on the different wine storage products and other relaxation items. Shop, Save and Relax at Home!

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Forced-Air and Cold-Wall Cooling Systems for Wines

Do you know that your wine collection could also be stored in a wine cabinet, aside from wine cooler refrigerators?

A Wine Cabinet is not a Wine Fridge, but it is similar to a mini bar that is climate-controlled. It is designed not only to replicate the conditions found in the best natural underground wine cellars, without the excavation costs, but it is also designed to blend in with other formal furniture.

It can be made of either durable melamine laminates or hand-crafted wooden exteriors, Adjustable Humidity Control, High Performance Air Filtration System, Top or Rear-Vent Exhaust, Electronic Thermostat, and Foil-backed polyisocyanurate insulation. It can also be made of either forced air or cold wall cooling systems. By controlling humidity, temperature, UV light and ventilation and limiting damaging vibrations as well, you are ensuring, thereby, the maintenance of your wine's quality as well as ensuring your wines mature under optimal conditions and are always served intact.

Two Types of Compressor-Based Cooling Systems Used in Wine Cabinets and Cellars

Forced-air Cooling Systems

By far the most common type of cooling system, the Forced-air cooling systems are typically self-enclosed units mounted at the top of the wine cabinet or cellar. They make use of powerful fans to blow air across cold surfaces, called evaporator coils, and into the wine cooler cabinet. These units are easy to remove, repair and/or replace because they are entirely self-enclosed. One more advantage is these units give more even temperatures and less stratification inside the wine cabinet or cellar.

But, these systems are said to be slightly louder than cold-wall cooling systems when the fans are “on”. Unfortunately, the fans are necessary in creating and maintaining even temperatures throughout the cabinet or cellar.

Cold-wall Cooling Systems

On the other hand, these systems are typically fully-integrated into the construction of the wine cabinets, having compressors placed at the bottom of the cabinet, and evaporator coils running up and down the rear of the cabinet.

However, cold-wall systems sometimes tend to have a difficulty in maintaining even temperatures throughout the cabinet. It also tends to strip too much moisture and humidity from the air inside the cabinet. Also, another disadvantage, cold-wall systems is difficult to replace and expensive to repair as they are integrated into the walls of the wine cabinet.

Continue visiting Guide to Relaxation at Home blog to know more about wine storage products. I recommend you also visit our official Relax at Home website or you can Like Us on Facebook. You can even Follow Us on Twitter.

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Guide to a Proper Wine Cellar Lighting

The lighting option of your wine cellar,  aside from humidity, vibration and temperature, is one of the most important that will determine the quality of your cellar condition as well as your wine collection, either hindering or helping achieve your desired result.

Not only does your wine’s ability to age well, bringing out its best bouquet or aromas, characteristics, flavors, and balance, depend on your management techniques of these factors, but also does your wine’s value, visual appeal and the marketability.

Improper lighting is known to have an adverse effect on the room temperature and consequently on the wine's quality and aging process, promoting premature aging of wine. It can also ruin wine labels as well as detract from the presentation of the wine bottles and the aesthetic of ornamental wine racks.

It is necessary to have a good light in order to stack and organize the wines properly, select the bottles you need, read labels properly and find your way through the wine storage. For commercial purposes, a proper lighting system will enable you to optimally showcase your wine collection to your prospective customers, enhancing the wines’ visual appeal and the marketability of your product.

That’s why the selection of wine cellar lighting must be done with utmost care. So, here are some tips on how you can manage wine cellar lighting well and avoid spoiling/destroying the quality of your wine collection.

To be functional and effective, make sure that your cellar lighting only emits as little heat as possible, while still adequately lighting the space. You can do this by making use of incandescent bulbs or other products which have UV protective coating as they produce less UV lights over fluorescent lights and prevent harmful UV damage to your wine.

You could also use a recessed halogen lighting system with a frosted, tempered glass lens. This can add a dramatic flair to your wine cellar. Use a system with a 12V/20W bulb and a polished aluminum reflector.

Also another ideal wine cellar light is the phantom linear strips. This type of lights can be mounted in many different positions that produce both direct and indirect cove lighting effects such as on the rear interior of the doorway of the wine cellar. From the concealed strips, light then shines back into the room, creating a luminance that appears to grow out of the corridor and intensify as it reaches the bottles. Also, this type of light can function as the main light source in smaller wine cellars and in bigger cellars can be used to make ambient wine cellar lighting that adds an essential element to romance, mystique, and relaxation.

Overall, you must pay close attention to the lighting of your cellar or even your wine fridges. Too much light can actually cause heat, which can stimulate your wine's stable organic compounds thus damaging your wine.


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