For those who have the Artevino III, do you know if you can use the bottom grate as a shelf to store bottles? It’s the metal grate that sits above the drip catch area, and below all the wooden shelving. I’m tempted to use it because it essentially allows for an extra 12-20 stacked bottles. But no where in the manual does it mention use of this space.
Also, as a separate question, I find I’m only able to lay down 5 bottles going each direction per shelf, based on the wooden slat structure. Is that common or are people actually able to lay 12 with 6 across each direction? Obviously having trouble with Champagne, but even Barolo/Napa/Burg are giving me issues. I don’t tend to collect a lot of BDX.
Yup I stack as much as I can on the bottom - I have mostly magnums down there. I’ve been able to get 6 bottles across on the regular racks as well, including pinot and other non-BDX. I do have one bottle up against the side when I do that, not sure if that’s ideal
I store two layers of Bordeaux style bottles plus one of half bottles on that bottom layer. I don’t have any trouble getting 6 bottles along each wooden shelf but I don’t buy many oversized bottles and I don’t have a lot of Champagne. I’m about 50/50 on Bordeaux style and burgundy style bottles. My Rieslings all go together in one section. But yeah, I can definitely see how it’d be a problem with wider bottles.
That’s exactly what I’ve been trying to avoid, having a bottle smooshed agains the wall. I had considered trying out the other shelving with the sliding slots to see if that’s better, but not sure it would be.
Yeah I don’t think there’s any issue with it, each row is offset so there’s room for airflow on one side of each row, plus I make sure to leave the bottom of the bottle separated from the back of the fridge by a bit to allow airflow there. If you look at the picture of the Artevino online it seems they have it set up similarly - and also make full use of the bottom area:
