Getting cellar temperature right

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by Hopdam, Aug 11, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Hopdam

    Hopdam Initiate (0) Jul 11, 2010 Pennsylvania

    [​IMG]

    I have moved into an old house and have a great setup for cellaring in some ways (once I get things out of boxes, of course). However the temperature in the basement is a little too warm and varies a little too much. Has anyone done anything to get the temp in a basement "just right" instead of resorting to a fridge?
     
    #1 Hopdam, Aug 11, 2013
  2. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    That looks really awesome.

    Anyway, what kind of fluctuations are we talking about? How warm? If it's like 60 average and fluctuates +/-5, then you're fine. 70 average +/-10 and you might have some issues.
     
    #2 stupac2, Aug 12, 2013
  3. striker2160

    striker2160 Savant (1,172) May 5, 2013 Minnesota
    Trader

    In the summer mine is mid 60's winter low 50's is that bad?
     
    #3 striker2160, Aug 12, 2013
  4. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    Not ideal but not bad.
     
    #4 stupac2, Aug 12, 2013
  5. otispdriftwood

    otispdriftwood Initiate (0) Dec 9, 2011 Colorado

    That's about the same as the crawl space in my house. Haven't had any problem with the temperature fluctuation and it's always dark.
     
    #5 otispdriftwood, Aug 12, 2013
  6. bifrost17

    bifrost17 Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2011 Washington

    I might be wrong, and maybe this is all based on personal opinion, but doesn't light affect beer a lot more than gradual temp changes? I mean I know taking a refrigerated beer and putting it out in a hot car for hours on end is a terrible idea, but aside from a situation like that, doesn't light do more damage? I have all my cellared beer in wine/beer cases on a metro rack down in a storage unit below my apartment building, stays between 55-68 degrees. The reason I put them in boxes is because I'm so fearful of light damage.
     
    #6 bifrost17, Aug 12, 2013
  7. striker2160

    striker2160 Savant (1,172) May 5, 2013 Minnesota
    Trader

    That is a good point bifrost17. I have heard light is bad. My cellar is under my basement steps in a separate room with door. It is as black as midnight till I turn the light on.
     
    #7 striker2160, Aug 12, 2013
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.