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GENERAL CHEESE MAKING BOARDS (Specific Cheese Making in Boards above) => EQUIPMENT - Aging Cheese, Caves => Topic started by: CdnMorganGal on June 08, 2012, 07:40:24 AM

Title: pop cooler as cheese cave
Post by: CdnMorganGal on June 08, 2012, 07:40:24 AM
Here in Costa Rica, small fridges without freezer compartments are not available, and wine coolers, when they can be found are outrageously expensive.  But - there are a lot of used pop coolers for sale.  I know I would need to black out the glass doors, and I have an external thermostat in case its needed to override the coolers settings.  What other considerations, pros & cons are there with this idea?

Thx.
Title: Re: pop cooler as cheese cave
Post by: Caseus on June 08, 2012, 10:34:01 PM
I don't know what a pop cooler is, but if it has a compressor and you can put some sort of controller on it (Johnson, Ranco, wired-in PID) to regulate the temperature, then the other considerations are air movement to ensure consistent temperature throughout, and humidity control and/or the use of mini-caves.   If you don't want to black out the glass door, you could just cut a sheet of insulation board to fit.  That would serve the dual purpose of improving insulation and blocking the light.
Title: Re: pop cooler as cheese cave
Post by: CdnMorganGal on June 09, 2012, 12:58:13 AM
A pop cooler is a refrigerator unit with opening glass doors and shelving that holds bottles of cola and such. Convenience stores typically have them, you reach in and grab your pop.
Title: Re: pop cooler as cheese cave
Post by: Caseus on June 12, 2012, 05:12:31 AM
That sounds like it would make a perfect cave. 
Title: Re: pop cooler as cheese cave
Post by: Bear and Bunny cheese on June 12, 2012, 06:33:13 PM
Hey gang,
  I just purchased such a pop cooler for use as a cheese fridge.  It has a glass door on it.  Could anyone tell me the reason why the glass should be blocked out?  How does light affect aging cheese?
Nathan