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GENERAL CHEESE MAKING BOARDS (Specific Cheese Making in Boards above) => EQUIPMENT - Aging Cheese, Caves => Topic started by: bbracken677 on August 05, 2012, 02:31:12 PM
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I have managed to adjust my mini-fridge cheese cave to reach temps up to 48F. Is this close enough for camembert/brie aging?
I have read the optimum temp for camembert or brie to be 52-55F.
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While I am at it...I am thinking that if I move the temp probe into the freezer (it is currently attached to the bottom of the freezer unit via a plastic holder that insulates the probe from direct contact with the freezer) I should be able to achieve warmer temps. Does that seem likely?
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I moved the probe to under the freezer, and put a piece of Styrofoam under it to hold it against the freezer bottom then adjust it from there. I can get temps from 50 to 65 f.
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If you can identify the type of sensor, you might be able to trick the unit into thinking it's actually at a different temperature. Can you tell what it is?
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bbracken677 - according to the Wiki recipe 52-55 is where you want to be to get the initial bloom. Your current temperature is just a bit high for ripening.
Before I got my warm cave running I used the 45 degree fridge for the Camembert entire ripening process. The initial bloom takes about a week longer, but otherwise it worked out just fine.
So many other cheeses like to age in the 50-55 degree range, I have two mini-fridge caves. We'll see if I get to keep two when my soon to be fiance moves in. ;)
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bbracken677 - according to the Wiki recipe 52-55 is where you want to be to get the initial bloom. Your current temperature is just a bit high for ripening.
Before I got my warm cave running I used the 45 degree fridge for the Camembert entire ripening process. The initial bloom takes about a week longer, but otherwise it worked out just fine.
So many other cheeses like to age in the 50-55 degree range, I have two mini-fridge caves. We'll see if I get to keep two when my soon to be fiance moves in. ;)
Both of my mini fridges use a mechanical thermostat driven by a bulb/capillary sensor. It seems to be the standard. Some of the mechanical assemblies can be adjusted to cover a higher range than others.
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Thanks! I found a calibration screw and adjusted it so highest temp would be 50F or so....that solves that problem, but when I will need it up around 65F I will have to find another solution.
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That's where the external thermostats come in. Like this: http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Controls-A19AAT-2C-Temperature-Controller/dp/B0002EAL58/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1345756539&sr=8-3&keywords=johnson+controls+a419 (http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Controls-A19AAT-2C-Temperature-Controller/dp/B0002EAL58/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1345756539&sr=8-3&keywords=johnson+controls+a419)
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Thanks!!!
I am going to snatch one of those up! That would solve the only cave issue (other than capacity) that I have : )