CheeseForum.org ยป Forum

GENERAL CHEESE MAKING BOARDS (Specific Cheese Making in Boards above) => EQUIPMENT - Aging Cheese, Caves => Topic started by: DrChile on August 22, 2013, 08:01:59 PM

Title: Compact Refrigerator temp
Post by: DrChile on August 22, 2013, 08:01:59 PM
Anyone have experience using a compact fridge and NOT using a Ranco controller - I.e. one can hit 50-54 degrees in the fridge using the fridge's own controls?

Needing to expand my cheese cave options (currently have a small Haier wine fridge - perfect temp control, poor humidity control, and a tad too small).

I like the idea of getting a small freezer from best buy and hooking up a Ranco controller but a new Menards just opened in our area and the sales on compact fridges are ridiculous.
Thanks!
Trent
Title: Re: Compact Refrigerator temp
Post by: MrsKK on August 26, 2013, 07:46:27 PM
I have a compact GE refrigerator without a freezer compartment.  It easily stays in between 50-55 degrees with no external controller necessary.  I have a thermometer with a remote sensor that goes in the fridge and the display sits on top, so I can check the temp without opening the door.  I paid approximately $110 for the fridge and probably about $10-15 for the thermometer.
Title: Re: Compact Refrigerator temp
Post by: DrChile on August 27, 2013, 03:53:48 PM
Thanks for the reply!
I did go out and buy a Danby fridge (all fridge no freezer) from Costco.
Turned all the way down it registers 58-59 F which is a tad warmer, but definitely workable without an external temp controller, IMO.  I think the key here (n = 2) is to have a fridge only unit...

Trent
Title: Re: Compact Refrigerator temp
Post by: MrsKK on August 27, 2013, 09:12:12 PM
so if the lowest setting is too warm, you'll need to fiddle with it until it maintains the temp that you are targeting.