Setting Up My Wine Fridge

[Jam1173]

I notice that a lot of people use small bowls or dishes to put beads into, but can you use empty cedar boxes, or will the box suck too much of the moister up?

 

[smokintexas]

I've never seen or heard of this being done and am unsure about any problems that it might cause. I would imagine that if it is a well seasoned cedar box you wouldn't have to worry too much about the box itself sucking up the moisture.

 

[northernmoris]

I could only think if the beads get over saturated, the box will get wet, maybe causing mold?

 

[Chemyst]

I went down to the Dollar Store and bought 2 aluminum lasagna pans
with snap on lids. I gave the pans to my sister-in-law for future use,
and cut the lids down to about 3/4" high, with a pair of scissors. I'm
using one lid on the floor of my Vinotemp28 and the other at the top.
Each one holds a little more than 1/2 lb. of beads. So far the hygros
inside are reading 66deg/68%rh with 70% beads, with very little
variance. I'm pleased as heck with my new Vinotemp28, and stocked
up 6 or 8 boxes prior to the SCHIP tax increase. The next credit card
bill will be horrendous, however!

I would line the cedar boxes with saran wrap. If the beads touch the
wood, they might absorb oils from the wood and become contaminated.
This could affect their effectiveness. I was going to try it, myself,
until I got the 'plastic lid' brainstorm, which was cheap to accomplish.
Plus, the plastic lids spread the beads out over a large area.

Chemyst

 

[Jam1173]

I could only think if the beads get over saturated, the box will get wet, maybe causing mold?

hmm yeah i did not think of that..thanks for thinking of that for me that could be a issue

I went down to the Dollar Store and bought 2 aluminum lasagna pans
with snap on lids. I gave the pans to my sister-in-law for future use,
and cut the lids down to about 3/4" high, with a pair of scissors. I'm
using one lid on the floor of my Vinotemp28 and the other at the top.
Each one holds a little more than 1/2 lb. of beads. So far the hygros
inside are reading 66deg/68%rh with 70% beads, with very little
variance. I'm pleased as heck with my new Vinotemp28, and stocked
up 6 or 8 boxes prior to the SCHIP tax increase. The next credit card
bill will be horrendous, however!

I would line the cedar boxes with saran wrap. If the beads touch the
wood, they might absorb oils from the wood and become contaminated.
This could affect their effectiveness. I was going to try it, myself,
until I got the 'plastic lid' brainstorm, which was cheap to accomplish.
Plus, the plastic lids spread the beads out over a large area.

Chemyst

Good Ideas, thanks

I think i am going to use your lid idea thanks again

 

[smokintexas]

Honestly, I spent $9 on a glass dish from Walmart and am sure they can be found cheaper then that. Going with the glass dish would eliminate any worries that could arise.

 

[KeyserSoze]

I recall Viper (David) mentioning that this is NOT recommended. If I recall the oils from the cedar can clog the beads but don't take my word on it. I would think, as mentioned, that mold could be an issue as well.

 

[bfisher88]

I just set some up. Use the foam humidifiers that come with the desktop humidors. Bust it open, remove the foam and clean it out. Replace with beads and if it is not covered by mesh, use a mesh bag for the beads. Replace the cover and spray down, pat dry and put them in. Easiest and cleanest way for desktops.

 

[AKmik]

I took a Bolivar cab, glued the sliding top shut then zipped it in half on the band saw giving me two shallow cedar trays and had them filled with beads for a few months, no problems at all. It did stain the beads, they look like sugar in the raw but still work fine.

Over watering would definitely cause problems.