Novice getting set up, wood cabinet suitable?

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by MadLatvian, Feb 19, 2015.

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  1. MadLatvian

    MadLatvian Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2015 Michigan

    Got my setup started. Live in Michigan, basement I would guess is 55-60 degrees year round. Small wooden cabinet to start, sliding doors to conceal minimal sunlight entering basement. Starting very small until I can gather more info on my setup (4 Plead the 5th, 2 Founders Imperial Stout).

    Two questions:

    1. Wood cabinet ok? Would I be better off using the shelf next to it as you can see in the picture? Like I said, minimal sunlight in this direct area. I have a very large basement so I could move to area where there is zero sunlight.

    2. Best way to gauge exact temp? Seems like there are a ton of different cellar thermometers available, which is the best one?

    Any advice would be appreciated. Excited to fill the shelves! Thanks!


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    #1 MadLatvian, Feb 19, 2015
  2. KMitch

    KMitch Initiate (0) Aug 29, 2012 Alabama

    I'm using this...

    Oregon Scientific RMR202A Wireless In/Out Thermometer

    I have the wireless part that you would typically put outside of your house to monitor the outside temp in the cellar to monitor the temp in there without having to open it.
     
    #2 KMitch, Feb 19, 2015
  3. JrGtr

    JrGtr Pooh-Bah (1,775) Apr 13, 2006 Massachusetts
    Pooh-Bah

    Your basement temp sounds good. Stays that way year round?
    The wood cabinet works perfectly, in this case. I would leave it in there, as you said, to keep the beer in dark.
    Any area thermometer would do fine - there are plenty of them available for just about any application - check out any hobby shop, I would think. At this point, the interior of that cabinet is the same as the environment outside it, so you don't need to go outlandish; you don't need to know the temp every second.
     
    #3 JrGtr, Feb 20, 2015
  4. boilermakerbrew

    boilermakerbrew Initiate (0) Aug 13, 2010 Indiana

    Wood cabinet=fine.

    Thermometer...well I use a basic thermostat meant to hang in a fridge. If you can monitor humidity, that is a bonus. No need for anything fancy.
     
    #4 boilermakerbrew, Feb 20, 2015
  5. DawgPhan

    DawgPhan Initiate (0) Mar 23, 2012 Georgia

    2. Best way to gauge exact temp?

    Thermometer.
     
    #5 DawgPhan, Feb 20, 2015
  6. MadLatvian

    MadLatvian Initiate (0) Feb 8, 2015 Michigan

    I should have rephrased that. Best thermometer to measure exact temp.
     
    #6 MadLatvian, Feb 20, 2015
  7. DawgPhan

    DawgPhan Initiate (0) Mar 23, 2012 Georgia


    how exact?
     
    #7 DawgPhan, Feb 20, 2015
  8. tommyguz

    tommyguz Pooh-Bah (2,534) May 14, 2008 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    [​IMG]
    I use this one
     
    #8 tommyguz, Feb 21, 2015
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