Can you reverse a wine fridge door? On many models, yes. To reverse a wine fridge door you take the door off, move the hinges and hole plugs to the other side of the cabinet, turn the door 180 degrees, move the handle, and hang it again. Not every unit is built for it, and the steps differ by brand. Below is how to pick a side, plus the reverse wine fridge door steps each manual gives.
Left vs right hinge wine fridge: how to choose the side
A right hinged door has its hinges on the right and its handle on the left. Decide before the unit goes into a cabinet run, because reversing a built in unit means pulling it back out.
- Traffic flow. The open door should not block the path you walk while carrying bottles.
- A wall beside the door. Hinge the door on the wall side so it opens toward the room, and check that it swings far enough for the racks to slide out.
- Islands. Have the door open away from the main prep area.
- A side by side pair. Two units next to each other are often hinged on the outside edges, so the handles meet in the middle like French doors.
- Door stops. Our listing for the Viking VCWD630-SG41A says its doorstops are factory set at 110 degrees and adjustable to 90 or 120 degrees.
Hinge style matters next to a wall. The Marvel spec sheet says its stainless steel models use zero clearance, low profile pin hinges, while panel ready models require additional clearance. The Empava WC03S listing also describes a zero clearance hinge. For cutouts and ventilation, see our wine fridge installation guide.
What makes a wine cooler door hinge reversible
A field reversible door is one the owner can switch on site. The cabinet has screw holes on both sides, the unused holes are plugged, and the maker supplies hinges for the other side. Marvel’s user guides tell you to “locate the lefthand hinges in the literature packet.” The Empava manual lists a spare upper hinge, bottom hinge and rubber plugs. If the listing and manual say nothing about reversal, do not drill new holes; ask the manufacturer or us before you buy.
Which wine fridges in our catalog are reversible
This table uses only what our product listings say. Prices are from our public listings and can change.
| Model | Price | What the listing says about the door |
|---|---|---|
| Marvel MRWC224, up to 55 bottles | $1,699 | Field reversible hinge; zero clearance pin hinges on stainless units |
| Marvel MRWD224 dual zone, up to 46 bottles | $1,899 | Field reversible hinge; zero clearance pin hinges |
| U-Line HWC024, 38 bottles | $2,159 | Field reversible door, shipped right hand hinged |
| Empava WC03S, 52 bottles | $1,096.19 | Reversible hinged door, left or right opening |
| Empava WC05S, 127 bottles | $1,774.28 | Reversible hinged door, left or right opening |
| Empava WC01S, 31 bottles | $755.25 | Reversible hinged door, left or right opening |
| Empava WC02D dual zone, 29 bottles | $809.59 | Not listed |
| Empava WC06D dual zone, 116 bottles | $1,847.67 | Not listed |
| Viking VCWD630-SG41A, 160 bottles | $12,669 | Reversal not listed; doorstops adjustable to 90, 110 or 120 degrees |
The Empava manual we opened covers the WC01S through WC08D and includes the reversal warning and spare hinges, but the WC02D and WC06D product pages do not mention reversal, so confirm with us before ordering one for a specific swing. You can also browse all Marvel units.
Reverse wine fridge door steps by brand
Tools and prep
- A helper. Empava’s manual says it is “very dangerous” to reverse the door by yourself: the door might fall and the glass might break.
- A Phillips screwdriver, which Marvel’s handle instructions call for.
- A blanket or towel to lay the glass door on.
- The reversal hinges and plugs that came with the unit.
Unplug the unit, take out the bottles, and keep the cabinet upright if you can.
Marvel MRWC224 and MRWD224 steps
Marvel’s user guides for both models list the same 19 steps. In short:
- Remove the grille: 2 screws in front, reached through holes, and 3 screws on the bottom.
- Open the door and, while holding it, remove the 3 lower hinge screws. The door drops out of the upper hinge pin.
- Lay the door in a secure place and remove the upper hinge (3 screws).
- Take the left hand hinges from the literature packet. Move all 6 gray hole plugs from the left side to the empty holes on the right.
- Remove the door magnet (2 screws) and install it on the opposite end of the door. The door is now ready to be rotated 180 degrees.
- Install the upper hinge with 3 screws, hold the turned door up to it, then place and attach the lower hinge with 3 screws.
- Reinstall the grille.
For the handle, Marvel’s guide has you peel back the door gasket at the top and bottom corners only, insert the screws from inside the door, line up the handle, tighten without over tightening, and reseat the gasket fully in its channel.
Empava models
The Empava manual says that as received, “the door swings open at the left,” and that you need at least one other person to reverse it. Its parts list includes an upper and a bottom hinge for switching sides, plus rubber plugs for the holes on the front corner of the body. The handle mounts by pulling back the gasket at the screw holes. The manual does not print a numbered reversal sequence, so call before you start if the layout is unclear.
U-Line HWC024
Our listing says the door is field reversible and ships right hand hinged. We could not open a U-Line user guide for this model, so follow the guide packed with the unit.
Check the gasket seal after you reverse the door
Close the door and look at the gasket all the way around. It should sit flat with no gaps, and the door should close without sticking. Marvel’s troubleshooting ties interior frost and a unit that is not cold enough to the door not “closing and sealing properly.” Empava’s troubleshooting points to a defective seal or a door not properly closed. Recheck the leveling legs if the seal looks uneven. A poor seal can also cause fog on the glass; see wine fridge condensation on glass.
Do you need to wait before plugging it back in?
Only if the unit was tipped or laid down. Marvel says an appliance handled in other than an upright position should sit upright at least 24 hours before plugging in, so oil returns to the compressor. Empava says to leave its units upright 4 to 6 hours before first connecting power. Our guide on how to move a wine fridge covers this in more detail.
When to call service
Stop and call if a screw hole is stripped, the glass is chipped or cracked, the reversal hinges are missing, or the door will not seal after leveling. Marvel’s guide lists a service line, 616.754.5601, and asks for the numbers on the model and serial number plate. Do not drill new holes in the cabinet.
Frequently asked questions
Can every wine fridge door be reversed?
No. Look for “field reversible” or “reversible hinged door” in the listing or manual. If neither says so, treat it as not reversible until the maker confirms.
Which wine cooler door hinge side should I pick?
Hinge on the side next to a wall or tall cabinet so the door opens into the room. For a side by side pair, hinge on the outside edges.
Is a left vs right hinge wine fridge a different model?
For the field reversible models in our table, no. The same unit ships one way, and you switch it with the included hinges.
How long does it take to reverse a wine fridge door?
The manuals do not give a time. Plan on a helper and do not rush the glass door.
Not sure which side to hinge, or whether a model can switch? Read our wine fridge buying guide or call us at 866-777-2590, Monday to Friday, 9AM to 6PM PST. Shipping is free freight on orders of $999 or more, and $200 flat below that. See our return and refund policy for return details.
