Expert: James Yee - 4/5/2011

Question
QUESTION: Hi James,

When setting up a wine cooler, what is the best way to layout the necessary components.

Obviously the cooler needs to be cleaned (Baking soda and water, newspaper, etc)to get rid of any plastic smell, trays and shelfs should to be Spanish Cedar.

Humidity: Electric preferably, but should it be at the top, bottom, back, or front? If not able to use electric which is best Beads or Crystal gel.

Temperature: No choice wherever the fan blows.

Meters: What is the best Hygrometer/Thermometer for a cooler and best placement. I was thinking of building a tray and notching it into the one of the front panels, depending on where you recommend it be placed.

Any other considerations needs when laying out the cooler.

I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row and I believe this may help anyone else out there trying the same.

I have noticed there is so much more to consider when deciding to convert a wine cooler into a humidor. If you're going to invest in making one, better to it right the first time and seek the proper advice prior not after.

The easiest part is buying the cooler.

Thanks
Craig

ANSWER: Hi Craig,

If you're using an electronic humidifier, it would be best to place it at the bottom of your humidor.  This will help with humidity flow as the electric fan will circulate humidity upwards.  The humidifier should also be placed along the side of the base near the front or middle where it can easily be reached at all times.  If you're using humidor beads, place a bead container at the base, middle and top.  This will allow even humidity distribution.  This is the ideal placement of beads but depending on how many shelves you'll have and the size of your bead containers, you may need to play around with bead placement.  If you use beads, be sure to measure the humidity level on each shelf.  If some shelves are not acheiving ideal humidity, add a bead container there.  Madelaines and Xikar are two reputable brands that makes humidor beads.

The hygrometer should be placed anywhere that is visible.  It's best to place the hygrometer at the opposite end of the humidifier. For example, if the humidifier is at the bottom of your humidor, the hygrometer should then be placed near the top.  This will allow the hygrometer to have a more fair reading.  A digital hygrometer is best and you should select one that has a large, easy-to-read display.  Placing the hygrometer in a notch in the tray sounds good.  Just be sure that the sensor on the hygrometer is not obstructed by the wood.

The most important thing to remember when building a wine-fridge humidor is humidity flow.  Be sure to make all the shelves/trays THOROUGHLY perforated or slatted so humidity can pass through each level.  There should also be a 3 inch (minimum) clearance between the top of the humidifier and underside of the above shelf/tray.  When storing boxes in your fridge, do not keep the boxes flush against the walls of your fridge.  Always leave a 1 inch gap between the walls of your fridge and boxes so that humidity can pass through the levels easily.  The hygrometer should also not be obstructed as it can give a false reading.  

I hope this helps!  As always, if you have any more questions, please feel free to just ask and I will be happy to help.

Regards,
James

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi James,

I was contact some companies about the Oasis XL Plus for my Wine cooler and got the following response, and I was wondering what your opinion is on the subject

"If you are converting a wine cooler I would suggest you do not use the CO Plus, but get some 65% silica gel beads instead for humidification.  Wine coolers have a very wide range of temperatures during operation & doesn't always interact well with an active system.  The beads are slower to react & work nicely."

Answer
Hi Craig,

Wine fridges, specifically those with a glass front, can indeed have a convection heat environment if it is exposed to direct sunlight during the course of a day.  This can cause erratic temperature shifts as heat is trapped in the fridge from the sunlight shining through the glass front.  As with any glass top/front humidor, it's best to keep wine fridge away from direct sunlight or any room in your home that heats up considerably during the day.

I've been using wine fridges with active humidification systems for almost 10 years now and I have not had a single problem with the humidification units at all.  If you keep your wine fridge in a cool room and away from direct sunlight, it will be fine to use an active humidifier.

I hope this helps!

Regards,
James