4 replies to this topic

[feffer]

No cellar in our Northern CA home, but I want an area where I can cool ferment some whites, and store some wine longer term. I was given a vertical freezer and wondered if I could remove the door and build and insulated area around it. I would want to maintain about 60F, and while the freezer does not go that high an external thermostat could control it. This would work for cool fermenting, but storage might be a problem because of low humidity. Is there a way to handle this, or should I re-gift the freezer and look for another solution?

[Wade's Wines]

A window a/c unit in a spare bedroom will do fine.

[poni]

Do what wade said and keep the freezer for cold stabilization or freezing fruit for wine!

[jerzy_s]

No cellar in our Northern CA home, but I want an area where I can cool ferment some whites, and store some wine longer term. I was given a vertical freezer and wondered if I could remove the door and build and insulated area around it. I would want to maintain about 60F, and while the freezer does not go that high an external thermostat could control it. This would work for cool fermenting, but storage might be a problem because of low humidity. Is there a way to handle this, or should I re-gift the freezer and look for another solution?

I think you need to first figure out the actual wine storage area and then worry about it's cooling.
Will you be converting a part of your house into the "cellar" or adding on or building a separate area (shed) outside?
Depending on what your options are - there are many solutions.
For example - a friend of mine had one of those sliding door , shelf deep, pantry storage in the kitchen.
Since he does not cook - he removed the sliding doors and shelves and replaced them with glass door and installed wine racks inside.
With lighting installed and adjustable output from his main home AC unit - he created an enviable Wine Cellar that was the "WOW" thing in his house.
Maybe his cooling solution is not perfect, but it worked just fine for his needs and he spent next to nothing setting it up.

Definitely keep the freezer

[feffer]

A window a/c unit in a spare bedroom will do fine.

I have an a/c unit in my backyard shed. This would be the easiest solution. I would have to partition it to separate it from the tools etc. The shed is insulated but sits all summer under the "hot" California sun. Probably I would have to accept a higher temp level, maybe 70*F to keep the a/c from running constantly.

I think you need to first figure out the actual wine storage area and then worry about it's cooling.
Will you be converting a part of your house into the "cellar" or adding on or building a separate area (shed) outside?
Depending on what your options are - there are many solutions...

I have two options. One is an existing 12 x 20 tool/utility shed and the other is a patio room about the same size. I can't use either of these for a full on wine-making area though. Either would have to be partitioned, and significant work done. The shed would be somewhat easier because it wouldn't have to look finished. The patio room would be more of a show-piece and would provide easier access, but would cost more etc. I'm still mulling over the possibilities.

There are really 3 or 4 temperature control issues that I'm trying to address: 1) cool fermenting white and fruit wines; 2) storage of bottled wine; 3) cold stabilizing wine before bottling; and optionally 4) storage of carboys that I'm bulk aging.

All of these except CS could be done by maintaining a 55*F area that had some humidity. I could abandon the CS option if it proves impractical.

The freezer is an older vertical Kenmore unit that is in good condition, but probably freon based. It runs well, cools quickly and seems well insulated. The cooling tubes coil under the shelves, so they are intended to be in a fixed position. This doesn't help me for CS because none of the shelves allow room for a carboy. If the door was removed and the freezer extended with an insulated frame, this might get me there. Perhaps a fan and a wet towel wick in a pail of water might add humidity and move the cool air around. I'm trying to get the most efficient solution.

Just wondering what some others have done in limited circumstances.