By Humph from Denver, CO on 1/15/2008

The unit has an awful smell. I thought it was epoxy, sounds like it's the stain they use on the racks. Avanti said leave it open and run, it will go away 'eventually'. Well. it's been almost 8 months and it's as bad as the day I bought it. [...]. I would not reccomend this unit at all. Looks like I might have to trash it.

By Wine from CT on 11/8/2007

Once the kinks were worked out, this unit has proven to be a very good (particularly given its relative affordability) wine storage option. Upon arrival, the unit had a "chemical" odor to it's interior which intensified when the "blower" switched on. I was unhappy with the service that I received upon pointing out the problem - Wine Enthusiast told me to call Avanti; Avanti told me to call Wine Enthusiast; both suggested that I simply run the unit and the problem should dissipate. Ultimately that's what I did (for apparent lack of options), running the unit continuously (both with the door open and closed) without any wine bottles stored. It took well over a month before the smell had diminished to the point where wine could be stored.

Since then, however, the unit is accurate, quiet and very effective. For the price, it seems a good option. (I'm obviously not sure if the chemical odor was specific to this individual unit - if it was, I'd certainly recommend it; if it's a common problem I'm not so sure that it's worth the headache.