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GENERAL CHEESE MAKING BOARDS (Specific Cheese Making in Boards above) => EQUIPMENT - Aging Cheese, Caves => Topic started by: Vina on May 29, 2012, 08:40:09 PM

Title: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: Vina on May 29, 2012, 08:40:09 PM
here are some pictures of our new 'cheese cave', -
1) We have separated part of the basement with a new brick wall
2) then walls and ceiling washed and painted with water-based paint

naturally temps in summer holds about 55-59F (12-15C), I have not checked RH yet.
I would appreciate any of your comments and especialy on what would be the best humidity controll solution for my cave?

Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: Tomer1 on May 29, 2012, 09:17:14 PM
First put a RH meter in there, It might be very humid in there and nothing needs to be tweaked.

The space seems small enough for a ultrasonic humidifier if RH needs a boost.   You might want to treat the walls with some kind of coating as mildew and black mold might be an issue.
Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: DeejayDebi on May 29, 2012, 11:04:47 PM
I would use a spray sealer to seal everything.
Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: Vina on May 30, 2012, 06:56:30 AM
.........  You might want to treat the walls with some kind of coating as mildew and black mold might be an issue.

Thanks! I googled a bit and found there are lots and lots of coatings / paints against molds. The only concern was - may I use them in cheese-cave?

I would use a spray sealer to seal everything.

Thank you, it really seems reasonable.

Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: Tomer1 on May 30, 2012, 01:19:05 PM
Quote
The only concern was - may I use them in cheese-cave?

I see no reason not to. as long as they are safe for humans they are safe for cheese  ^-^
Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: DeejayDebi on June 02, 2012, 02:04:07 AM
I didm't find any info about bricks but I did find info on comcret block

Concrete Block walls should be heavy density, non-porous blocks. Concrete block walls should be installed in a stack bond pattern (with reinforcement), rather than a running bond pattern (see Fig. 1), as there is less hold up of dust and moisture. As stated previously, the concrete blocks should be installed with a solid cap on the top course and without ledges or crevices. For additional durability and cleanability concrete block walls should be appropriately sealed and finished by painting with semi-gloss or gloss epoxy enamel paint covering.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs120 (http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/fs120)

Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: Vina on June 02, 2012, 08:28:51 PM
I didm't find any info about bricks but I did find info on comcret block

Thank you! they seem to be seroius sanitary requirements.

First put a RH meter in there, It might be very humid in there and nothing needs to be tweaked.


I bought new RHmeter from local laboratory equipment dealer. Today readings are 12*C and RH 82%

Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: Tomer1 on June 02, 2012, 09:09:10 PM
Thats almost optimal for hard cheeses, Does it get much hotter outside during the summer then it is now?
Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: Vina on June 04, 2012, 03:59:45 PM
well, it does, mid June  - September it is real summer, it's getting quite hot, temps can reach 85F (30C) and we have good humidity, as our country is close to the sea.
Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: Tomer1 on June 04, 2012, 05:22:59 PM
So you need an AC in there which will obviously alter the RH (dry up the room).
Title: Re: Cellar upgrade ->cheese cave
Post by: Vina on June 04, 2012, 08:46:20 PM
yes, I know.
actually, its pretty cool during summer as well (basement), around 15 - 16C. As far as I know, AC can cool the room aprox to this temp.