Cheese Cave

Lmmonroe · November 12, 2021, 07:04:58 PM

We are planning to convert a minifridge to a cheese cave and are looking into a temperature/humidity controller or at least a temperature controller. The information we have found on the forum via old posts regarding this points to Perfect-Cheese which looks like is no longer in business. Any information/recommendations would be very welcome. We are not sure if we need an actual humidity controller because we are going to try a couple of lower tech methods, i.e. sponge, salt, etc. unless you can point us in another direction. Thank you in advance!

rsterne · November 13, 2021, 03:08:20 AM

Check out "Ink-Bird" controllers on Amazon....

Bob

MacGruff · November 13, 2021, 09:56:35 PM

I will double down on Bob's recommendation of Ink-Bird.

I tried the low-tech methods. Failed miserably. Got the Ink-Bird, set it up, and it works like a charm with very little maintenance required. (Adding water to the humidifier every so often)

Lmmonroe · November 14, 2021, 07:02:59 PM

Thank you for the responses! MacGruff, which model of Ink-bird controller did you buy? We have had a couple of failures already and really want to be successful so a combo temp/humidity controller sounds like the way to go.

Lmmonroe · November 14, 2021, 07:56:34 PM

The humidifier is separate from the controller, isn't it? Which humidifier do you use as well? We are looking at a 3.3 cf minifridge.

MacGruff · November 15, 2021, 12:25:05 PM

I got the Inkbird ITC-608T from Amazon. Cost me $66.

For the humidifier, I repurposed a room humidifier that I had from when my kids were younger. The trick with the humidifier is to find one that has a manual on/off switch and not one that turns off automatically. It also has to fit inside your fridge and leave room for the cheese! That may take some searching. I looked at Bed, Bath and Beyond for ideas first, but then remembered the one I had in storage, so did not buy anything myself.

Good luck

FishFarmAndy · December 14, 2021, 04:02:44 PM

Hi there,
I use an STC-1000 temperature controller (which requires some wiring to get up and running) on a fridge which is around 8cuft, with wire shelves to allow air flow. No fan. When it's not too full I can maintain 85-90%RH but if too full it goes to 95% whatever I do.