Fridge vs "closet"

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Melcher70, Aug 19, 2015.

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  1. Melcher70

    Melcher70 Initiate (143) Aug 9, 2014 Massachusetts

    I'm looking to start cellaring beer and right now I'm keeping things in a cardboard box in my pantry. It's the coolest part of the first floor in a 220 year old house, but there's seasonal temperature fluctuations. I'm looking at a great deal on a mini fridge, wondering if this would suit my needs better? I've been reading a lot on the closet vs fridge cellaring opinions and know people are split. That being said, anyone have any strong opinions one way or the other? Anyone switch from one to the other and have any (+/-) experiences? Thanks.
     
  2. ttango

    ttango Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2010 Michigan

    I bought a 115 yr old home that had a perfect little room in the basement. I started taking temps down there and checking/tracking 2-3 times a day. The variation was often 15-20+ degrees during the same day on a good day-- so I ended up building an active, fully insulated.

    Stick a thermometer down there and see what you get. If it's steady (+/- 5) and somewhere 45-65, then you're probably fine. Also check humidity levels while your checking temps, but humidity will never be what drives your decision-- it will simply inform how you manage the humidity conditions.
     
  3. BobBarker

    BobBarker Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2014 Louisiana

    I think the first poster is spot on that it is not as important the temperature but the consistency. Obviously don't store it at 85 degrees year round but if it is in the mid 70s I have had no problems "cellaring" beer at this temperature in a closet. My closet only varies in temperature +- around 3 degrees which seems to be fine.
     
  4. BEERschlitz

    BEERschlitz Initiate (0) Oct 13, 2013 Michigan

    Seems any house that old would have some sort of cellar or cold/dry storage in the basement. Refrigeration wasn't even common until the early 1800's, so they would have needed to have something in the basement to keep root vegetables and such fresh throughout the spring/summer/fall. I suggest looking into that, because to me it would just seem like an awesome and rewarding project.
     
  5. deadsincebirth

    deadsincebirth Initiate (0) Jul 24, 2014 Illinois

    Fridge is too cold usually stopping the yeast from doing their natural duty. I bought a large chest freezer and control the temp with a digital thermostat. This hobby is not cheap so spend the extra few dollars and do it right.
     
  6. Melcher70

    Melcher70 Initiate (143) Aug 9, 2014 Massachusetts

    Yeah there's a dirt basement, and yes that'd be ideal. There's work involved before that can realistically be used though.. Some stairs repaired, big clean up.. Something I'll probably tackle long term but not anytime soon.
     
  7. MetalMountainMastiff

    MetalMountainMastiff Initiate (0) Oct 1, 2012 California

    I wouldn't buy a mini fridge I would check Craigs list for a full size fridge for free or cheap or even a actual industrial soda fridge, I got one for free off it. Then you can buy a thermostat control and just adjust the temp to your desired aging temperature . Because you can so cheaply find full size fridges and thermostat controls, I think it's best just to go full size and put it in the garage if you don't have enough room, better than buying a mini fridge and filling it up to fast and splitting the aging beer up.
    http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Contr...1929&sr=8-3&keywords=remote+thermostat+fridge
     
  8. Vinithing

    Vinithing Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2014 Wisconsin

    Be careful using a freezer and temp controller. We had bad storms while I was away and something happened to the power and my beer froze.
     
  9. lateralusbeer

    lateralusbeer Savant (1,222) Feb 7, 2010 North Carolina
    Trader

    This thread is the Cellaring forum equivalent of posting "So, where to go in Ashveville?" in the South Atlantic Forum :slight_smile:
     
  10. trh70

    trh70 Initiate (0) Dec 31, 2011 Florida

    I live in south west florida. So that means no basements and hot ass weather. I keep my beer in wine boxes in a closet. The closet stays about 72 through out the year. It works fine.
     
    gopens44 likes this.
  11. Jerk_Store

    Jerk_Store Initiate (0) Feb 13, 2015 Canada (QC)

    I had found some pretty cheap, charcoal locker like things at ikea, about 3 feet high and you can stack them if you want. I put them on the floor in the coolest area of the basement. It's been doing the job very well!
     
  12. phildow

    phildow Crusader (407) Jan 6, 2013 Michigan

    If you're concerned with temperature variations, you could always go and purchase multiple foam coolers to help combat any temperature fluctuation the beer might see. As mentioned above, a fridge is too cold and keeps yeast from doing its job as well, 55F is the ideal temp. Any temperatures above that *should* not have any adverse effects other than aging at a slightly accelerated rate.
     
  13. Scott17Taylor

    Scott17Taylor Initiate (0) Oct 28, 2013 Iowa
    Trader

    If you can get your fridge temperature in the upper 40s or above it'll work, but if it's on the colder end of that it will slow the aging.
     
  14. DawgPhan

    DawgPhan Initiate (0) Mar 23, 2012 Georgia

    these threads are great reminders that when trading for vintages everyone's defintiion of properly stored vary greatly.

    You might store yours in a climate controlled fridge, he is storing his in a box in his garage. And you have no idea where he got it from.
     
    gopens44 and lateralusbeer like this.
  15. Sneex

    Sneex Initiate (0) Jul 25, 2014 Rhode Island

    Also, remember that high temperatures (I get leery above 70, but I suspect it's actually a bit higher) can make some Brett strains create phenols. So, unless you like band-aids in your beer, be careful with Brett-fermented or conditioned beers. Most of my stuff with "regular" yeast was just fine for the one summer my cellar got into the 70s.
     
  16. gopens44

    gopens44 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,560) Aug 9, 2010 Virginia
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    All of this is very true in my experience as well. My main area that I use as a cellar is in the utility closet that receives just a pittance of conditioning from the air handler being in there, but does not go any higher than about 72 or so and goes no lower than mid 60's on the coldest days. While I braced myself when cracking open a few beers early on, that apprehension has proven very unnecessary. My arrangement has produced very nice results across a fairly decent range of styles. I think my desire for a better or at least a more "regulation" cellar is more powerful than the actual need, based on past results.

    This is why I may BIF a vintage but would only trade fresh.
     
  17. BEERschlitz

    BEERschlitz Initiate (0) Oct 13, 2013 Michigan

    If it's an older vintage I always ask how it's stored. If it's a box in the 75° closet I always pass. Very much dislike how broad of a term "cellaring" has become.
     
  18. Lazhal

    Lazhal Pooh-Bah (1,890) Mar 13, 2011 Michigan
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Maybe its better with certain refrigerators, but I have no trouble at keeping my fridge at a consistent 49 degrees without a temperature controller. Mine is even the crappy dial type control (aren't almost all of them?).

    I find it more likely that folks simply do not have a good way to actually measure the temperature. The proper types of thermometers you will need are typically those used by grilling/BBQ enthusiasts.

    A dual channel digital wireless grilling thermometer works well. Measure top and bottom of the fridge at the same time and you not even need to open the door to check it. They run about $40-80.

    That said, pick a rough dollar value of how much beer you think you might cellar. Use that value to determine if its worth the cost of equipment to benefit the hobby.
     
    #18 Lazhal, Sep 5, 2015
    Last edited: Sep 5, 2015
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