New apartment, need storage suggestions

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by jegross2, Aug 17, 2012.

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  1. jegross2

    jegross2 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois

    So I am moving to a new apartment in Green Bay and I do not have the best control over the temp by room or even in the apt overall. Ergo, I will need to figure out a way to store beer effectively. To this end, I am looking for the following information:

    1) What kind of cost can I expect for ~100 750 ml bottles of storage (I have maybe 200 bottles, but not all are for long term aging)? Both DIY and pre-manufacturered.

    2) If I go DIY route, how much effort is necessary to build something functional? Time is not as much an issue, as would be I am terrible at building shit.

    3) What are some recommended pre-manufacturered units?

    4) Assuming I go DIY, is there something out there that can walk me thru what I will need to do step by step? If not, can anyone walk me through what I will need to do.

    Any help is much appreciated, and I wanna thank any input in advance. I figure with some of the bottles I have, it would be a shame to see them spoil due to poor storage.
     
  2. gueuzehead

    gueuzehead Initiate (0) Jul 6, 2011 Washington

    Look through craigslist for a stand up wine fridge would be my first step.
     
  3. jegross2

    jegross2 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois

    I heard that most brands are unreliable. Which should I avoid?
     
  4. Dactrius

    Dactrius Pooh-Bah (2,523) Apr 23, 2012 Caribbean Netherlands
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    If you can't find a wine fridge that works I'd just recommend trying to find a standard refrigerator on CL. The fridge temperature controls most likely won't get you to the right temperature so you'll have to add external temperature control, usually they go for about $100 and go inline with the power to the fridge with a sensor that goes in the fridge to keep it at the temperature you want. I use one for my kegerator because it's Avanti which is a POS and froze my kegs repeatedly, I just set the kegerator internal controls to min temperature and use the external temperature control to get to the actual temperature I want. The main negative over a wine fridge is that it'll dehumidify the air quite a bit, but just leaving a bowl of water sitting in there may solve that problem, I'm not sure.

    Depending on the shelving that's included you might have to add some additional shelving, I've seen some decent looking ones made out of wood but I'm not great at building either so someone else might have to chime in on that.
     
  5. Dontcounttoday

    Dontcounttoday Initiate (0) Apr 23, 2010 Illinois

    Unreliable how?
     
  6. jegross2

    jegross2 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois

    Breakdown with 12-15 months
     
  7. MJC8719

    MJC8719 Initiate (0) Feb 25, 2012 District of Columbia

    I have a similar situation for my DC apt and the same concerns about the low end wine fridges.

    I went with a chest freezer - there were alot of good deals on Craigslist for 7 and 14 cu ft freezers, from $80-200. I ended up buying a new frigidaire as I really want a black one which I didn't find on craigslist.

    I bought this temp controller:
    http://www.amazon.com/Johnson-Controls-A19AAT-2C-Temperature-Controller/dp/B0002EAL58

    Its worked pretty well. I have it set to 54 degrees and with the thermometer I put in the freezer it bounces between 50-55. The unit doesn't run that often, and I never notice the noise.

    The only con is getting to bottles at the bottom of the freezer. I keep most things I am not planning on drinking in the next 3-6 months down there. Right now, I am using thick styrofoam as shelves but will eventually upgrade to wood.

    Damprid container is a great sensation as there is some condensation on the side.
     
  8. drgonzo2k2

    drgonzo2k2 Pundit (909) Aug 24, 2012 Missouri

    Also recently upgraded my apartment and my cellar. Not sure how much space you can dedicate, but after reading lots of threads here, I went with this:

    http://www.kenmore.com/kenmore-16.7-cu-ft-freezerless-refrigerator/p-04660722000P

    Plus this to regulate the temperature:

    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00368D6JA/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00

    I suggest searching Craigslist for "freezerless refrigerator" or "upright freezer."

    Those give you the most amount of storage and easiest access to your beer. They also seem to be models that other people buy and then can't get rid of when they move so you can bargain them down. I was able to pick mine up on CL for $150.

    Even after buying the external temp regulator, and paying someone else to pickup and deliver the fridge, I was under $250.

    Project this weekend is to remove the handles and refinish the front of the door with Chalkboard Paint to make it a little more attractive.
     
  9. RC0032

    RC0032 Initiate (0) Mar 10, 2009 Illinois

    I told you Kent wine cellars..Also let me know if you want those boxes for moving.
     
  10. jegross2

    jegross2 Initiate (0) Jan 3, 2010 Illinois

    Rich:
    Kent was Green bay? Thought that was Chicago you were talkin bout
     
  11. CellarGimp

    CellarGimp Initiate (0) Sep 14, 2011 Missouri

    Do you have some brown boxes and a closet? High tech.
     
    Skye1024 likes this.
  12. RC0032

    RC0032 Initiate (0) Mar 10, 2009 Illinois

    It is Chicago...you come here a lot keep the good stuff here.

    Im sure there is something in GreenBay though
     
  13. bifrost17

    bifrost17 Initiate (0) Dec 16, 2011 Washington

    This is what I do and it's so effective. I live in an apartment with some storage in the basement, pitch black, keep the beer in wine boxes and it never gets about 55 degrees down there.
     
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