Cheese Making Equipment, Hygrometers
Hygrometers are used to measure humidity in air which is sometimes called relative humidity and abbreviated RH. This is an key issue for aging cheeses as too high a humidity environment can lead to unwanted molds and too low can lead to rapid dehydration of the outer cheese resulting in cracks or fissures from the uneven dehydration of the cheese. Thus this is a critical pice of equipment for aging cheeses.
Hygrometers were originally mechanical devices, however more modern ones are battery operated digital with low power LCD readout screens and include temperature measurement and thus called Thermo-Hygrometers. Temperature measurement is another important parameter in the art of affinage and thus this is a useful combination. Some digital models have wired remote temperature sensors, some have wireless remote humidity and temperature sensors with local LCD read out, a useful feature depending on location of your gauge in your drying aging room or cave.
Hygrometers are available from Cheese, Wine and Beer Making supply stores, hardware type stores, and large supply stores like Wal-Mart, Tesco's, Amazon, or ebay. If buying in store and units ar energized (battery working), purchase unit with average reading for best accuracy.
More information and discussion on Hygrometers is available normally in the forum's Equipment - Cheese Aging Board or by searching the forum.
Hygrometers are reviewed below:
Honeywell Brand Thermo-Hygrometer With Wireless Sensor
- Model Model TM005X is battery operated, large readout on master unit, small on remote, measures RH & T at both units.
- Pros: Battery operated, remote readout, about USD25.
- Cons: Remote-master unit distance is rated and capable as far, but will only be 3-5 m/10-15 ft if remote is located inside steel fridge.
Nexxtech Brand Thermo-Hygrometer With Wired Remote Thermometer
- Battery operated, large readout, wired remote is thermometer only.
- Pros: Battery operated, low cost of about USD20.
- Cons: Wired remote is thermometer only.
Unknown Thermo-Hygrometer
- Battery operated, small readout.
- Pros: Battery operated, low cost of about USD6 at Wal-Mart, small.
- Cons: No remote read out and thus have to check where in service, ie in Cheese Cave.
