keeping RH correct in a wine fridge

[CAC]

I'm new to cheese making and I purchased a used 9 bottle wine fridge for use as a cheese cave.   I have a bowl filled with water in it and a damp rag placed on a rack as well.   My hygrometers both read only up as high as 70-72% relative humidity at about 55 degrees.  I have 1 Parmesan and 2 Romano (2 lbs each), cheeses in it at this time.  I have been working on the humidity problem for about 1.5 months.  I see in the cheese recipes that the RH should be at 80-90%.  What am I doing wrong?  Also I have seen suggestions to get a ripening or aging box to put the cheeses in, What are these?  And would they fit in a small wine fridge like mine?  The cheeses have a dry outside at this time, is that the way these type of cheeses should be?  Thanks in advance for your help. 

[H-K-J]

I think you really need to find a ripening container, the cheese inside the container will keep your humidity up.

[panamamike]

I agree with H-K-J. I have a fluctuation of 20% RH just in the change of temp. of 3 deg. F when the compressor comes on and goes off.
I have reverted to the use of containers and have had good luck with them. I adjust the lid to  overcome high or low RH.

[CAC]

Thanks guys!  Now what is a ripening container and where do I get one?  Plastic or wood?  There is not much room left in the fridge as it is now.

[panamamike]

You can use a tupperware container with a wire rack or some type of platform and draining mat on top of it.

[H-K-J]

This is one of the containers I use
Check out what's under the cheeses
Adjust the RH by closing or partially opening the lid

[stephmtl222]

See also this recent conversation about humidifiers for cheese caves http://cheeseforum.org/forum/index.php/topic,16722.msg129649.html#msg129649

[smcaro@gmail.com]

For the type of cheeses you mention, I would suggest backpacking them. Humidity will no longer be a problem, with the added value that, being small sized cheeses, you won't end up with a Parmesan which, becoming all rind out and inside, could very easily be considered a WMD.