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amw5g · 12-01-2003, 06:10 PM,

Thinking of trying to build a small (~24 btl) cellar as a pet project. Likely out of a dorm fridge in order to exploit the mechanics and seal. Any experiences, schematics or thoughts with this? Much obliged! Andrew

Thomas · 12-01-2003, 07:11 PM,

Speak to Hotwine. A few months back he did just that, and somewhere he posted on his experience.

hotwine · 12-01-2003, 08:05 PM,

Sorry, Foodster, but your memory has faded somewhat. I use daughter's old dorm fridge as-is for storing whites prior to serving, kind of as an interim stage between the cellar and the table. No modifications have been done to it. For wine storage, I use an HEC 34-btl unit from Sam's in the laundry room, and a EuroCave 260 in the garage, in addition to the 1200-btl cellar.From what I've read, a regular fridge (dorm size or otherwise) can be used for long-term wine storage if the thermostat is replaced or modified to hold temps in the 55-60 degree range (their normal range is something like 35-45 degrees F). But I've not done that, nor do I have schematics for doing it.

Thomas · 12-01-2003, 08:23 PM,

I am near-sure that somebody on this board did a cellar recently--thought it was you.This old age stuff is a killer!!!

quijote · 12-01-2003, 08:37 PM,

old age...sure beats the alternative!

amw5g · 12-01-2003, 09:14 PM,

Thanks, y'all. I read the archives back to the beginning of 2003 and saw it suggested briefly a few times. But no real substance on the execution. Hopefully some success stories will crop up. Many thanks, Andrew

winoweenie · 12-02-2003, 08:01 AM,

Just remember the good part about the " Old Stuff ", you only have to do it once!! WW <IMG SRC="http://38.118.142.245/ubb2/wink.gif">

hotwine · 12-02-2003, 09:40 AM,

There's a discussion of storage alternatives (including a dorm fridge) in the archives of another site. See http://www.wineloverspage.com/cellarbuy.shtml It also includes links to more detailed discussions of the dorm fridge option.

hotwine · 12-02-2003, 10:15 AM,

Just looked over my copy of Dr. Gold's superb little book, "How and Why to Build a Wine Cellar", which is the best authority on the subject that I've found. Here are some of his comments: "An orphaned refrigerator that still has good door seals might serve as a poor man's wine vault. Even at its lowest setting, it may be too cold for wine storage, but you can take care of that..... The biggest drawback of refrigerator storage is the meager capacity.... Can a refrigerator that has been retired as not up to the job of cooling milk ever be trusted with the task of guarding Mouton? I've never tried to use a refrigerator, retired or otherwise, for wine, and have yet to communicate with anyone who has. If you've taken this trip please let me know how you set it up and how it went."(Copyright by Richard M. Gold, North Amherst MA.)

amw5g · 12-02-2003, 03:12 PM,

Very helpful links, Hotwine. Much obliged -Andrew

hotwine · 12-02-2003, 03:49 PM,

You're very welcome, Andrew.(I assigned myself the monicker "hotwine" after enduring several such storage problems, including a moldy old storm cellar that is now my nicely-chilled main storage.)

Georgie · 12-02-2003, 06:29 PM,

and here all along I thought it was because you were such a "hottie!"

Thomas · 12-02-2003, 06:40 PM,

I told you hotwine would have the answer. Now, I have to get my depends changed...

Kcwhippet · 12-02-2003, 07:10 PM,

Aw, poor Foodie.

hotwine · 12-03-2003, 07:55 AM,

(Gasp, choke....) Mine, too.

amw5g · 12-17-2003, 08:09 PM,

The Gal just bought me a perfectly-sized storage unit for our wines as a birthday present. So ultimately no need for the dorm fridge conversion. It's all set up and stocked with our latest goodies. She's the best! <IMG SRC="http://38.118.142.245/ubb2/wink.gif">-Andrew

winoweenie · 12-18-2003, 06:56 AM,

MERRY,MERRY!!!!!ww

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