Black & Decker 14 Bottle Capacity Wine Cellar

I set this 14‑bottle cellar on a sideboard and lived with it for several weeks, using it as a compact home for weeknight whites and a few aging‑ready reds. As an entry‑level, freestanding unit with compressor cooling and a compact footprint, the Black & Decker 14‑bottle cellar does a lot right for small collections—so long as you respect its limitations and set it up correctly.

Setup, Size, and First Impressions

Out of the box, the unit is manageable at 36.4 pounds; I was able to position it solo without drama. The footprint is genuinely compact at roughly 17.5 × 18.6 × 19.6 inches, and the flat‑back design makes it easy to push close to a wall. It’s freestanding only, so it needs breathing room; I left a few inches at the back and sides for airflow and the compressor never felt stressed.

Leveling is straightforward. The adjustable legs gave me just enough range to stabilize the cabinet on an uneven wood floor. Do take the time to get this right; a slight tilt will cause the door to swing on its own and can make the racks feel off‑center.

Aesthetically, it’s understated. The clear multi‑pane glass door (the manufacturer literature has described it as both double and triple pane in different places) shows off bottles without looking flashy, and the recessed handle keeps the profile clean. The top panel is flat and sturdy enough for light items. I kept a small tray and a couple of stemless glasses there without any heat issues; still, I wouldn’t stack heavy books or bar gear on top.

Interior Layout and Capacity Reality

The interior includes a chrome full‑width wine rack, a full‑width flat shelf, and a bottom compartment rack. Capacity is quoted at 14 bottles, and that’s possible with standard 750 ml Bordeaux‑style bottles if you alternate neck orientations and are willing to snug bottles more closely than you might in a pricier cabinet. Larger Burgundy or Champagne bottles immediately change the math; I ended up using the bottom compartment for the outliers and accepting a realistic working capacity closer to 10–12 when mixing bottle shapes.

The chrome pieces are basic but functional. The wave rack cradles bottles securely, and the flat shelf is handy if you want to lay a few bottles or keep an accessory bin (corkscrews, stoppers). There’s a simple interior light that gives you just enough illumination to read labels without bathing the whole room.

Two small usability notes:
- The shelf spacing is tight, so long‑neck bottles can kiss the underside of the shelf above if you’re not careful with placement.
- Alternating neck‑to‑punt orientation on each row maximizes what you can fit and prevents labels from scuffing.

Temperature Control and Cooling Performance

This is a compressor‑cooled unit with mechanical controls and a stated range of 40–64 °F. The control is a simple dial rather than a digital thermostat. That’s common at this price tier, but it does mean you should use a standalone thermometer to set and verify your target temperature, especially if you care about more than “cold vs. cool.”

Once dialed in, the cellar kept my whites in the mid‑40s and my lighter reds in the mid‑50s reliably. Expect a few degrees of vertical variation—cooler near the bottom, a touch warmer up top. For mixed storage, I put whites on the lower rack and reds above; for all‑red storage, I found the middle zone was the sweet spot. Temperature swings during compressor cycles were mild and never crossed into “yikes” territory for short‑term storage.

A few setup tips that helped:
- Give the fridge at least 24 hours to settle after moving before powering on. The R600a refrigerant system performs best when the oil has re‑settled.
- Start the dial at a conservative setting and check with a thermometer after a full day; adjust in small increments.
- Avoid direct sun on the glass door. The multi‑pane design insulates decently, but any glass door is prone to minor gains under harsh light.

Noise and Vibration

In a quiet room, you’ll hear a gentle compressor hum when it cycles on. It’s not silent, but it’s unobtrusive—more of a soft background sound than a buzz. On a wood floor, I did notice a slight resonance until I fine‑tuned the leveling legs and slipped felt pads under them. After that, vibration‑related noise was minimal. The chrome racks hold bottles securely; I didn’t experience clinking or rattle unless I bumped the door while the compressor was running.

If you’re extremely sensitive to noise and plan to keep it in a bedroom, you’ll notice it in the dead of night. In a dining room or office, it blended in fine.

Build Quality and Door Behavior

The cabinet panels and interior plastics are in line with an entry‑level unit: light but serviceable. The door seals evenly, and the gasket seated well after a day or two. The door hinge hardware, however, feels on the lighter side. On my unit, there’s a bit of flex at the top corner if you pull the door too quickly. It never impacted sealing or alignment, but it’s a component I’d treat gently. Leveling the cabinet and avoiding weight on the door (no hanging a hand on it while you browse) makes a difference. If you ever need to remove the door for cleaning, work slowly, support its weight, and re‑torque the screws evenly.

The recessed handle takes a moment to get used to, but it prevents snags and is friendly for tight placements.

Everyday Use

I liked living with this cellar for the basics:
- The interior light is just bright enough for quick label checks, and manual control lets you keep it off by default.
- The flat back makes placement simple, and the compact height works on a counter, under a shelf, or tucked beside a bar cart.
- The racks are easy to remove and reconfigure, though there’s not a lot of reconfiguration possible beyond pulling the flat shelf.

The mechanical dial won’t satisfy data obsessives, but with a small digital thermometer inside, I never worried about what the wines were experiencing. Over two weeks of summer weather with a few warm days, temperatures stayed consistent.

Limitations to Note

• Capacity claims assume standard bottles and tight packing. If you love Champagne, expect fewer than 14 bottles.
• Mechanical temperature control lacks precision and a readout. Plan on buying an inexpensive fridge thermometer.
• The door and hinge hardware are light‑duty. Level carefully, don’t slam, and periodically check that hinge screws are snug.
• Freestanding only. It needs ventilation clearance; it’s not a candidate for built‑in cabinetry.

Who It’s For

• Apartment dwellers and small homes where space is limited but a handful of bottles need proper storage.
• Hosts who want ready‑to‑serve whites and rosés at 45–50 °F and lighter reds at cellar temperature without taking over the kitchen fridge.
• Beginners assembling a small collection and learning their preferences before investing in a larger, multi‑zone cabinet.

If you’re cellaring expensive reds for years, want a digital controller with alerts, or need ultra‑quiet operation in a bedroom, you’ll outgrow this quickly. But for short‑ to medium‑term storage and everyday convenience, it hits a practical sweet spot.

Practical Tips for Best Results

• Leave 2–3 inches of clearance at the sides and back for airflow.
• Store whites and sparkling on the lower rack, reds above.
• Alternate bottle directions to fit more and protect labels.
• Wipe the door gasket occasionally to keep the seal tight.
• Use felt pads or a mat under the legs on wood or tile to dampen vibration.

Recommendation

I recommend the Black & Decker 14‑bottle cellar for anyone looking for an affordable, compact, and straightforward way to keep a small selection at appropriate serving temperatures. Its compressor cooling is reliable, the footprint is apartment‑friendly, and day‑to‑day operation is simple. You do trade away precision controls, heavy‑duty hardware, and true 14‑bottle flexibility with larger formats. If you can live with those compromises—and treat the door gently—it’s a sensible, space‑efficient choice for starter collections and everyday drinking bottles.