Is there an endless competition for space in your refrigerator?

Sometimes it seems there’s no room in the fridge for all your regular groceries plus the chilled beverages you like to keep on hand. One way to solve that problem is to purchase a beverage center, and there are certainly plenty out there for you to choose from.

If you’re considering the U-Line 1224BEV 24” Beverage Center, our no-holds-barred review gives you all the information you need to make up your mind.

U-Line’s Entry-level Beverage Center, the 1224BEV

U-Line Beverage Center Review / Rating

The U-Line brand has been in the under counter appliance market for over 50 years. They sell a wide range of modular ice making, refrigeration and wine preservation units. The 1224BEV is just one in a line of beverage centers they sell.

The 1224BEV has a 5.4 cu. ft. capacity and 2 tempered glass shelves providing 3 storage levels for a total of 105 cans or 85 bottles of 12 ounces each. The unit also comes with 2 black vinyl coated wine racks which together hold a maximum of 16 750 ml wine bottles.

This beverage center is designed with an energy-efficient passive cooling system. There is a front mounted digital touch pad control which lets you can adjust the temperature to between 34 °F and 45 °F to suit the contents of the unit.

With two wine racks and three shelves, you won’t be lacking capacity.

The interior of the 1224BEV is black and the unit features door-activated, automatic-off LED lighting which you can set to remain on for 3-hour periods. The door is made of dual thermo-pane argon-filled  glass and it is low-E coated to completely protect the unit’s contents against UV light rays.

You have the option of replacing the standard commercial stainless steel handle with the company’s professional door handle accessory. Plus, each of the beverage center’s four levelling legs adjusts independently to facilitate proper under counter installation.

What We Really Liked

Beverage counters are notorious for their noisy compressors, however, we found that the 1224BEV was much quieter than we expected.

Plus, it only kicks into action a couple times each day, making the little noise there is totally bearable. At this price level you

Comparison

GE Beverage Center

We took a look at a few other beverage counters in a price range similar to the 1224BEV, just to see how it compare in terms of features. Bottom line – the U-Line 1224BEV pretty much holds its own against the competition.

The GE Profile PCR06BATSS, for example, gives you less space for wine bottles and that’s after it reduces the can capacity from 150 to 126.

Its glass shelves, however, slide in and out for greater convenience. Unfortunately it’s door panel looks cheap and unappealing – with it’s handle recessed into the door, unlike the U-Line which has a nice and long outer door handle. At $1,399, it’s a pass in our book.

Electrolux Bev Center

Similarly, Electrolux’s EI24BC10QS has only one wine rack and its door is non-reversible and so cannot be switched to left-hand open.

What it does feature, though, is an alarm to let you know when the door is not completely closed. But at $1,994 it’s priced very close Perlick and U-Line 3000 Series territory – making it an unwise monetary investment.

Verdict

Taking the company’s track record and the unit’s features into consideration, we think the U-Line 1224BEV 24” Beverage Center is a solid investment if you are in the market for a solid, reliable American-made beverage center.

Pros

• Large capacity
• Can be built-in or freestanding (with the freestanding accessory kit)
• Choice of finish – stainless steel or integrated
• Reversible door swing
• Option for solid or clear door
• A model with door lock is available

Cons

• We came across some complaints about the door’s handle quality.
• Digital control panel is as bare-bones as it gets.
• 1 year parts and labor warranty (should be 2 years at this price level)
• Black interior cavity can get dark when you fill the unit up.