Finally Making My 6 Gallon Stilton

[Al Lewis]

Here's a link to it.  Pretty good price too. http://www.amazon.com/JOHNSON-CONTROLS-A19BAG-1E-Thermostat-Electric/dp/B007R7XC4A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1357605954&sr=8-4&keywords=johnson+controls+thermostat

BTW  I finally weighed my Stilton tonight and it was 6 pounds 3 ounces.  ;D

[shotski]

Thanks Al. I am in the process of getting a 30QT Stainless steel pot for cheese and beer. Can't wait for the next make, probably Stilton as I have to figure out the press for Cheddar,Edam and (I have a smoker) Gouda.

[H-K-J]

BTW  I finally weighed my Stilton tonight and it was 6 pounds 3 ounces. 

COOL 8)

[Al Lewis]

Yep, That's gonna cover a lot of steaks and salads!! :P

[Al Lewis]

Still aging nicely. 8)

[shotski]

Very nicely Al. What is the price of whole milk 3.5% your neck of the woods. It is about $5.29 up here in Ontario, i heard it is cheaper in the US.

[Al Lewis]

Thanks!  Milk is just under $3.00 a gallon here.  I can get raw from the local dairy for $7.00.

[shotski]

Hi Al, that thermostat does it mount inside or outside the freezer compartment? did you drill a hole in the freezer and feed the tube through to the inside?

Thanks john

[Al Lewis]

I drilled a smale hole in the bottom back of the freezer and routed the probe through there.  I then sealed it with silicone.  I secured the probe to the bottom side of the middle shelf with zip ties.

[Al Lewis]

Well here's my Stilton as of this evening.  I used the mold as a pattern to insert a small bamboo rod, from one of the bamboo mats that came apart, and pierce it.  I inserted the bamboo straight in, just short of the center, all the way around in the top, middle, and bottom holes.  I then rotated the mold to put the top and bottom holes above the previous center holes and inserted the bamboo again, this time angling the top holes down toward the center of the cheese and the bottom holes up towards the center.  This way my cheese should have a very healthy growth of blue mold when it's ready to cut.  I know it's a little early to pierce this cheese but I want to make sure I get a good, thorough, mold growth.

[AndreasMergner]

Looking good Al.  I'm curious how mine is doing in my absence.

[shotski]

Hi Al, I was very pleased with my first make of Stilton. I am getting very close to my first 6 gallon make. What are the dimensions of the hoop needed for a 6 gallon make ?

thanks AGAIN

John

[Al Lewis]

The mold I used is 8" in diameter and 7 5/8" high.  Used this one.  I'm sure it's available everywhere.

[rolsen99]

Are there any rules / suggestions / guidelines for the number of holes to apply, or how far to space them apart?  I will be ready in a couple weeks.

[shotski]

Thanks Al, while doing some reading I came across this idea

https://cheeseforum.org/articles/wiki-hoops-molds/home-made-4-in-103-mm-drilled-pvc-hoop-wooden-follower-with-cheesecloth-wrap-improvised-weights/

my son is a plumber so I think I will make a 8" X 12" hoop, that should hold a 6 gallon stilton.