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CHEESE TYPE BOARDS (for Cheese Lovers and Cheese Makers) => RENNET COAGULATED - Hard Cheddared (Normally Stacked & Milled) => Topic started by: GlennK on December 17, 2011, 11:04:52 PM

Title: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: GlennK on December 17, 2011, 11:04:52 PM
Hi all,
My first attempt at a pressed cheese, a farmhouse cheddar (from Ricki Carrol's recipe) is now nearly 50 days old.  It seems to be doing good so far, but todayI bought a hygrometer and a thermometer and found the humidity is about 35% in my basement.  The question is how is that going to affect my cheese?  The recipe doesn't say anything about aging except to "age for at least 2 months."  It's in a plastic box with lid to keep the mice out as I had a little issue with them taking a bite out of my cheese.

Thanks,
Glenn
Title: Re: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: Boofer on December 18, 2011, 06:28:01 AM
Quote from: GlennK on December 17, 2011, 11:04:52 PM
It's in a plastic box with lid to keep the mice out as I had a little issue with them taking a bite out of my cheese.
Oh noooo....   :o  :(  >:(

Can't they chew through the plastic box and reach the cheese anyway? They are very resourceful and determined. They love plastic and actually prefer that over concrete.  ;)

-Boofer-
Title: Re: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: GlennK on December 18, 2011, 11:41:48 AM
Quote from: Boofer on December 18, 2011, 06:28:01 AM
Quote from: GlennK on December 17, 2011, 11:04:52 PM
It's in a plastic box with lid to keep the mice out as I had a little issue with them taking a bite out of my cheese.
Oh noooo....   :o  :(  >:(

Can't they chew through the plastic box and reach the cheese anyway? They are very resourceful and determined. They love plastic and actually prefer that over concrete.  ;)

-Boofer-
I trapped one mouse after the "attack" so maybe there was only one, because no problems since.
Title: Re: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: sominus on December 18, 2011, 02:10:58 PM
Quote from: GlennK on December 18, 2011, 11:41:48 AM
Quote from: Boofer on December 18, 2011, 06:28:01 AM
Quote from: GlennK on December 17, 2011, 11:04:52 PM
It's in a plastic box with lid to keep the mice out as I had a little issue with them taking a bite out of my cheese.
Oh noooo....   :o  :(  >:(

Can't they chew through the plastic box and reach the cheese anyway? They are very resourceful and determined. They love plastic and actually prefer that over concrete.  ;)

-Boofer-
I trapped one mouse after the "attack" so maybe there was only one, because no problems since.

There is never just one mouse... ;-)
Title: Re: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: Tomer1 on December 18, 2011, 02:43:59 PM
Mice are impossible to protect from, you need a metal cage to keep your box in or perhaps a... fridge?
Title: Re: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: Boofer on December 20, 2011, 02:05:09 AM
Quote from: Tomer1 on December 18, 2011, 02:43:59 PM
Mice are impossible to protect from, you need a metal cage to keep your box in or perhaps a... fridge?
No, just ship it to me...I'll protect it.  ;)

-Boofer-
Title: Re: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: GlennK on December 20, 2011, 11:19:31 AM
Quote from: Boofer on December 20, 2011, 02:05:09 AM
Quote from: Tomer1 on December 18, 2011, 02:43:59 PM
Mice are impossible to protect from, you need a metal cage to keep your box in or perhaps a... fridge?
No, just ship it to me...I'll protect it.  ;)

-Boofer-
;D
I have it high up on a shelf and that has worked so far.  I found a "dent & scratch" 28 bottle wine cooler on eBay yesterday so that should keep my cheese mice-free in the future.
Title: Re: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: Crystal on December 20, 2011, 08:23:08 PM
Im no expert but i was under the impression that if your cheese was waxed, humidity wasnt really an issue... ive been wrong many times before though...
Title: Re: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: zenith1 on December 20, 2011, 09:12:41 PM
Your not wrong this time Crystal, once waxed , no humidity worries.
Title: Re: Farmhouse Cheddar aging humidity and temp
Post by: Crystal on December 20, 2011, 09:39:21 PM
Go me, just need one more and im right three times!