Frequently Asked Questions

U-Line was founded in 1962. Our specialty, and sole focus, is luxury built-in, undercounter ice makers, refrigerators, and wine storage products. Please click here for more information.

The Origins line comprises U-Line's core product offering, based on over forty years of innovations, design patents, and world firsts. Now with an even higher level of styling, features, and technology, it is the most diverse line in the industry. The Origins product line boasts five different size products with multiple models - Ice Makers, Combo^® models, Refrigerators and Wine Captain^® Models. Origins products feature commercial lines, push button digital controls, and elegant interior spaces.

The Échelon line features U-Line Corporation's Best-In-Class product line. These are the most innovative, highly featured refrigeration and ice making products in the built-in undercounter appliance industry. Pristine lines, thoughtfully integrated handles, Touch Control Digital Technology, and contoured interiors make a statement never before seen in the industry. Designed for the ultimate in performance, these unique models reduce noise by as much as 50%, provide refrigeration capabilities that surpass industry standards and offer low energy usage that exceeds industry and Department of Energy benchmarks.

Échelon and Origins models have a number of unique features and components that distinguish the lines. Some of these differences include:

• Échelon models utilize Touch Control Digital Technology. Origins models utilize Push Button Digital Controls.
• Échelon models allow for 3/4" full overlay panel in addition to a 1/4" panel insert. Origins models will accept only a 1/4" panel insert.
• Échelon Wine Captain models have full extension slide out wine racks. Origins models have 3/4 extension racks that provide convenient access to all bottles.
• Échelon models have a new, contemporary grille design. Origins models have a new, more traditional grille design.

Please refer to our full-line product catalog for additional information on the features and differences between the two product lines.

The Échelon Series comprises:

The Origins Series is comprised of:

Échelon stainless models, except Wine Captain^® Models, have a full-wrap, seamless stainless steel door, or drawer front, with a sculpted stainless handle that distinguishes Échelon stainless steel units from other heavier "commercial" looks. The Échelon stainless steel Wine Captain® units have a one-piece, seamless, full-wrap, 2" wide stainless steel door frame around a tinted thermal glass door.

All Échelon stainless steel models have a matching grille. All stainless steel models that have a right or left hand swing door have stainless steel hinges, must be ordered right or left hand swing (hinged) and are not field reversible. None of the Drawer stainless steel models require hinges nor are Drawer "swing" specific.

Origins stainless models, except the CO75 stainless model, have a seamless stainless steel door that wraps around the sides of the door. The top and bottom edge of the door is a black "cap" which complements the stainless finish. These units feature a commercial-style stainless steel handle. Origins Wine Captain models and the Beverage Center model have doors with a seamless 2" wide stainless frame around a tinted thermal glass door. All Origins stainless models have a black cabinet and grille. All Origins stainless models, except the CO75 stainless, must be ordered either right or left hinge and are not field reversible.

Yes, the Échelon models can be fully integrated with a 3/4" full overlay door panel, or a 3/4" overlay frame, depending on the model. An optional overlay panel kit is available for select Échelon models to ensure easy installation of a full overlay panel. The overlay kit includes all components necessary to install a custom-made panel.

Select Échelon Wine Captain models are specifically designed for a 3/4" overlay frame to be installed around the tinted glass in order to achieve a fully integrated look. These models (2115WCOL and 2175WCOL) require no additional kit to install the overlay frame. Select Échelon Drawer models also come standard with overlay kits, ready for 3/4" overlay panel installation.

Please be sure to refer to the specific Overlay Door Panel Specification and Installation Instructions for specific model information and instructions on how overlay panels should be made and installed.

Yes, all U-Line models, with the exception of designated stainless steel, Beverage Center and Wine Captain^® models, accept a 1/4" flat or raised panel insert. Models and panel size information for current models are shown below:

The weight of your panel must be less than 20 pounds. This weight restriction applies to door panels for Origins and Échelon and Origins products as well as full overlay panels used on Échelon models.

The U-Line.com website has an area dedicated to providing panel information on discontinued models. Click "here" to go to that page.

An exclusive feature of all U-Line Wine Captain models (with the exception of the two-zone drawer model) is the ability to store three different types of wine at their optimum serving temperatures or safely store a singe type of wine throughout the cabinet. (Insert "The Right Temperature for the Right Wine" table from the catalog here.) Units come with an easy "set and see" digital control to easily adjust and monitor the temperatures inside the cabinet. The middle zone can be set between 46 and 54 degrees and the wine storage area in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet will always be plus or minus approximately six degrees Fahrenheit of the middles zone. Please note that adjusting the temperature of the middle zone will always affect all three zones.

Units come with the easy set and see digital control to easily adjust and monitor the temperatures inside the cabinet. The middle zone can be set between 46 and 54 degrees, and the wine storage area in the upper and lower portions of the cabinet will always be plus or minus approximately five degrees F of the middles zone. Please note that adjusting the temperature of the middle zone will always affect all three zones.

Yes, U-Line's Two-Drawer Wine Captain model 2175DWRWC has two separate and distinct storage zones. The temperature in each of the two zones can be set individually, anywhere between 40º and 60º F

All U-Line Wine Captain models are designed to accommodate both short and long-term storage and can be used to house a single type of wine throughout the entire cabinet, if desired.

The Échelon Wine Captain® units hold the following:
2115WC - Up to 24 bottles on full extension slide out racks
2175WC - Up to 48 bottles on full extension slide out racks
2175DWRWC - Up to 43 bottles on full extension slide out racks

The Origins Wine Captain® units hold the following:
1115WC - Up to 24 bottles on 3/4 extension slide out racks
1175WC - Up to 48 bottles on 3/4 extension slide out racks

Yes, staining the wood facing is an option. The wood facing, which is maple, has been coated at the factory with a clear vinyl sealer that is specially designed to accept stain. If you choose not to stain the wood facings, this sealer will adequately protect the wood during normal usage. If you choose to stain the wood facings, they must be removed from each rack (two screws) prior to staining and sealing and allowed to dry completely before reinstalling inside the Wine Captain^®. The stain and sealant must be water based (Minwax is recommended) to avoid the odor associated with oil-based stains. Please see the User's Manual for further instructions. Please note that because the glass door of the Wine Captain is tinted to eliminate damaging ultra violent rays, the stained racks will look slightly different when the door is closed.

Approximately 50%.

The BI series ice makers and Combo units do not require a drain. The CLR2160 clear ice maker and the CLRCO2175 Clear Combo require either a floor drain or U-Line's P60 drain pump.

The BI series ice makers and Combo units require only a 1/4" OD (outside diameter) waterline plus a saddle valve which can be purchased at a local hardware store. It is a simple and inexpensive installation.

The CLR2160 Clear Ice Maker and CLRCO2175 Clear Combo require the same 1/4" OD water hook-up plus either installation of a gravity drain or the P60 drain pump. For gravity drain applications, the height of the water drain outlet tube is 7 inches from the floor. Most local codes require a 1/4" drop per foot for the drain line running to a drain location. Always consult the Installation Guide for complete details and specifications on the types of water and drain lines that should be used. Always obey all local codes applicable for your area.

The BI Series and Combo^® Models, which produce crescent-shaped ice, use approximately 2-3/4 gallons of water to make approximately 22 pounds of ice. 100% of the water is used for ice and there is no waste. The CLR2160 and CLRCO2175, which make clear, restaurant style cubes, use 1/2 gallon of water per pound of ice. The CLR2160 and CLRCO2175 use less water than all other residential clear ice makers in the industry.

The BI series and Combo^® Model ice makers that do not require a drain produce crescent-shaped pieces of ice that are 1/2" W x 3/4" H x 2-1/2" L. The CLR2160 and CLRCO2175 clear ice maker models produce cubes 7/8" W x 7/8" H x 7/8" L with a dimple on one side.

Yes. The ice cube thickness can be adjusted using the digital control. While holding the "up arrow" button, press the "down arrow" button three times. The display will now start to flash the cube thickness setting. Press the up or down arrow to change the setting. The available setting range is "-5" to "+5", with +5 being the thickest setting, and -5 being the least thick. The units are shipped from the factory set at zero "0".

Yes, all ice maker models can have the ice production turned off without turning off the unit. Ice production in models with digital controls can be turned off by pressing the appropriate commands as shown in the User Manual. In addition, ice maker models without a drain (BI and Combo models) have a bin arm that can be lifted up to a locked position to turn off the ice production. Remember to put the bin arm back down to resume ice production.

The U-Line BI-2115, BI-95, BI-98, CO75 and CO29 are manual defrost models. Excessive frost build-up in the ice storage area or a noticeable decrease in daily ice production indicates that a unit should be defrosted. Depending on usage, this may be required approximately every six to eight weeks. To easily defrost, turn your unit off, remove the bucket and throw out the ice. Leave the door open until defrosted and then wipe out inside of ice compartment. It may be advantageous to place a towel inside your unit to absorb any excess water during defrosting.

24 hours.

Model BI-2115 is the only Échelon model that has a dial control. Origins Ice Maker and Combo^® Models - BI-95, BI-98, 29R,CO75, CO29 and CO29FF - have dial controls.

Model BI-2115 is the only Échelon model that has a dial control. Origins Ice Maker and Combo^® Models - BI-95, BI-98, 29R,CO75, CO29 and CO29FF - have dial controls.

Clockwise. This will be a higher number on your temperature control.

The factory set temperature for all models with digital controls in the refrigerator (fresh food or beverage) area is 38º F. For those models that have a freezer or ice storage area, the factory setting in those areas is zero degrees (0º) F.

Yes. To see the actual temperature of the refrigerator area for the above models with digital controls, touch and hold the warmer button for approximately five seconds. The display will flash the actual temperature of the refrigerator area for a few seconds then it will automatically revert to displaying the set temperature.

The digital temperature control for Wine Captain models is factory-set to 50º F. This temperature specified for the middle section of the storage area and results in a temperature setting of 44º F for the lower wine racks and 56º F in the top of the cabinet.

For Wine Captain models, the digital control that sets the temperature in the middle zone can be set at 46º to 54º F. Please remember that the temperature on the lower wine rack will be approximately 6º F lower then the middle zone and temperatures on the upper wine racks will be approximately 6º F higher then the middle zone.

Yes. To view the actual temperatures in the wine storage cabinet, press and hold the warmer button for five seconds. The display will then scroll through the actual temperatures in the three areas of the cabinet. The top section temperature will display first, followed by the middle section temperature and, finally, the lower section temperature. As each section's temperature is displayed, the area of the cabinet will be indicated by showing a line to the right of the temperature to indicate top, middle and bottom.

Yes, the actual temperature for each drawer in the 2175DWRWC can be viewed. To view the actual temperature in the upper drawer compartment (zone), place your finger over the "warmer" (up arrow) button for approximately five seconds. The actual temperature in that zone will flash for a few seconds then the display will revert back to the set temperature. To view the actual temperature in the lower drawer zone, place your finger over the "cooler" (down arrow) button.

The doors on all black or white models are field reversible, except those models that are special ordered with locks. Échelon and Origins stainless steel doors, except the CO75 stainless steel, are not field reversible and must be specified either right or left hand hinged at the time of order.

Models 1175R and 29R can be ordered with a lock for an additional cost. For these models, locks are available on the black or white models only, and must be specified right or left hand hinged. The lock will always be installed on the opposite side of the door as the hinges.

No. The lock is foamed into the door requiring that this option be specified at the time of order to ensure the lock is incorporated during product manufacture.

The following stainless steel Échelon models are deemed suitable for outdoor use by UL: BI-2115 CO2175FF 2175R CLR2160 2175RF 2115R

Yes, customers have been successfully using U-Line products outdoors for nearly 40 years. U-Line's warranty on all models is valid for units installed outdoors. It should be taken into consideration that when exposed to the sun's ultra-violet rays, the white finish may discolor. For this reason, stainless steel or a black finish may be more appropriate for outdoor use.
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Units can be operated in temperatures between 45ºF and 110ºF. As you might expect, each model performs differently in different environments. In higher ambient temperatures, units with ice makers will make less ice, run time on all units increases and it takes longer to cool product down.
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No, never install behind closed doors. All built-in refrigeration products require proper front ventilation. The grille is located in the toe kick area, under the door, where heat escapes and fresh air enters the unit. This area must be unobstructed otherwise the unit will not properly cool and/or make ice. Airflow cannot accurately be measured if an individual wishes to put louvers in a solid door to enhance air circulation and therefore is not a recommended installation.

Products sold in the US or Canada have a one-year parts and labor warranty for the entire unit, and five years parts and labor for the sealed system. The sealed system includes the compressor, evaporator, condenser, bypass valve, dryer, and connecting tubing. For the complete warranty, click here.

Yes. The 2175RF refrigerator/freezer has a 1.5 cubic foot vertical freezer section that maintains a temperature of approximately 0°F. This is the same temperature as kept in a full size refrigerator freezer. The vertical freezer section is ideal for storing a large variety of different sized items.

Yes. If you would like to incorporate Échelon and Origins handles into other parts of your cabinetry, you can order the stainless steel handle as an accessory part. Please be aware that the stainless handles are not interchangeable on the stainless refrigerator or ice maker doors. Because the doors and handles are foamed into place during the manufacturing process, removing a stainless handle from the door will compromise the integrity of the insulation.

Call your distributor or dealer to place an order.
Échelon Stainless Steel Handle: U-Line Part Number 18033
Origins Stainless Steel Handle: U-Line Part Number 23011-03