Cheese Cave

[minnie]

Hi Guys,

I saw today where someone has used a wine fridge and converted it to a cheese cave and are selling them.

I tracked down the place that makes them and I'm just waiting on getting a price on them for anyone that may be interested. The current converted one is just under $1400 which seems a bit too dear for the smallest of these fridges.

Will post when I find out.

Vicki

[Shadowgirlau]

Will be most interested. Not because I am thinking I might buy one but just out of curiosity.

I have two fridges, one is 15 years old and the other is only about 5 or 6. The youngest one is playing up, was freezing everything in the crispers and is now working its way up the shelves. When we move we we will empty this one and take it down to Albany so it can be fixed.
The older one needs a new seal although otherwise works well. I am considering using this one for my cheeses eventually.

Kathleen

[minnie]

Hi Kathleen,

He got back and it's the same price as I saw where it's being advertised for the same price:
=======================================
The unit you refer to retails @ $1,375 including GST. Delivery is at cost to
the customer and depends on location. They have a 2 year warranty and are
available ex stock in Melbourne.
=======================================
This is the website again: http://www.classiccellars.com.au/wine-cabinets.php
and the price is for the smallest 40 bottle one.

Personally I think it's a better way to go with an old fridge or freezer and buy one of those thingy's (will get a source from DH to buy) that my DH got and you can connect and put it at the temp you want.

Regards

Vicki

[Shadowgirlau]

That sounds very intriguing Vicki, tell me more?
Kathleen

[Mojojo]

If you were intersted in a temp controlled wine cabinet, grays online auction place is full of them, bids quite low, eg theres a few 230L bar fridge sized ones on at the moment with starting bids of $80... if you haven't already seen grays online, try not to get addicted to it like my mother is! I wonder how much modification is necessary?
http://www.graysonline.com.au/category.asp?PARENT_ID=2#26

[minnie]

Hi Kathleen,

Here's what he got http://www.mashmaster.com/p/365439/frid ... r-kit.html


Vicki

[Shadowgirlau]

Thankyou for the link Vicki. Quite interesting and shall mention it to hubby.

Am about to go and look at the link you put up as well Jo, depends how long the site takes to down load as to what or how much I will look at although shall come back to it if it looks interesting once I have a better connection.

Kathleen

[minnie]

I was looking at other forums and found this a well:

A wine cooler from Kmart for $150 - holds 40 bottles and its 84cm h x 50cm w x 54cm its made by homemaker. It holds good temperature and humidity with a water reservoir on the bottom and would hold about 14 cheeses 16cm rounds (10 litre size cheeses).

Vicki

[Shadowgirlau]

Have seen those coolers in KMart. Actually just after Christmas I saw them advertised in one of their catalogues for $89.95

Kathleen

[Max]

HI all:

I'm new at this but... here's a device that regulates fridge temperature. It's available from Jarcar for $42.95. Just Google Jarcar and quaote the Cat. No. KC5413.

Regards

Roy

Copied from Jaycar's website:

Wine Cooler Kit CAT. NO. KC5413

Ref: Silicon Chip June 2005
This project turns a regular fridge or freezer into a wine cooler by accurately controlling the temperature to make it suitable for wine storage. A much cheaper option than commercial units. Kit supplied with PCB, case, mains plug & all electronic components.
QTY
1+ $42.95
5+ $38.45

[minnie]

Hi Roy,

We got one of these types of regulators (not sure if it's the same person) some time back, but the old freezer we were converting bit the dust... so we need to get another one. Personally I think the regulator the way to go rather than an expensive way. And it hold much more cheese.

We'd only use the cheese cave for the long term cheese such as cheddar, romano etc. Camembert we just keep in the fridge, it doesn't last long once mature.

Vicki

[megs8888]

Hi is a wine cooler suitable as a chees cave and if so what else do I need for the cooler itself thanks in advance i am wishing to make cheddar cheeses.

[minnie]

If you're making a lot of cheddar and wanting to mature over a long period of time, a 'cheese cave' is a good idea. There's lots of ways economically to make one.

Some people convert old freezers and fridges (there's a 'thingy' that runs it at the temp you want) or some people are buying the wine fridges.

I'd use your normal fridge (warmest part) until you see how many you actually start making before spending money, unless money isn't an issue.

Have you started making cheddar and are you buying store milk or have your source of raw milk?


Vicki

[megs8888]

Hi Vicki I will get a wine fridge as i can use it for wine later on if i want to and want to rest from cheese making, im new to cheesemaking and need some advice i was going to use supermarket milk is that ok? any good places for info would be good, just want to make cheddar.

ps whats the thingy to run it at the correct temp if i use an old small fridge?

[minnie]

The thing is a part that connects to the fridge to control the temp http://www.mashmaster.com/p/365439/frid ... r-kit.html

Have you been to a cheesemaking course?

I can't see the advantages of making large quantities of cheese, particularly cheddar from supermarket milk. It's best made with fresh full cream milk either raw or pasteurised so you'd spend a bit on the milk before even starting.

With the costs involved in going the supermarket route for cheddar I think it would be better just to buy the cheese.

It depends on why you want to make it and what outcome you're looking to achieve I guess?


Vicki

[megs8888]

Hi Vicki, no I havnt done a course but i wish to, any recomendations? I would like to take up this hobby just for fun really that was the idea anyway do you think its not worthwhile?
Where would I source fresh milk Farm?

[minnie]

Hi Megs8888,

What's your name, it's kind of silly writing to megs8888?

Depending on where you live there's some really good courses, and for cheddar I'd recommend a course... especially if like me you like a really old crumbly long matured cheddar?

As far as milk goes, it really again depends where you are?

It can be lots of fun making cheese, so do think it's worthwhile but look at some easy cheeses first. Why not try the Rikki Carroll 30 min mozzarella to begin with, and I'd start with some of the other easier soft cheeses, like ricotta etc and then if they mess up you know fairly quickly and can try again.

Vicki