After months of research I decided to really get serious about charcuterie. So where to start? The thing that worried me most about crafting and curing meats was proper drying . Everything I read stressed the importance of temperature and humidity while curing. So indeed a proper curing chamber was needed. The idea was simple enough you need to control temperature (ideally around 55 degrees) and humidity (this can vary from 60% to 75% relative humidity depending on what your curing). Inspiration was everywhere but I decided on using the concepts presented in both the cured meats, and Wrightfood blogs, although I did one or two things differently.
First I scored a refrigerator from craigslist thirty bucks and its in great shape. Then I hung the sign my daughters drew on a scrap piece of wood while I was getting it situated in my shed (hopefully it will bring good luck)
Secondly The temperature controller. the warmest I could get this fridge to run was about 45 degrees, much to warm for our purposes. So we had to introduce a way to turn the fridge on and off as needed to achieve a slightly higher temperature. I used this Controller from Johnson Controls, I got it on eBay for twenty three dollars. Although its different from most of the units you see it is actually a wired switch, not the piggy back style plug in most people use. It was a breeze to wire up. Just search the web for keg temperature controller and bingo your in business.
This thing is dead on Within 3 degrees.
The bulb sensor mounted inside the fridge.
Next humidity, instead of using a cool mist humidifier with a separate humidistat I decided to go with an all in one unit to eliminate one more link in the chain where possible failure could occur.I picked up this unit for about a hundred dollars at Lowes. at first I was skeptical about its humidistats accuracy but it has done exceptionally well. It also has a two and a half gallon tank which in my case lets me go a little over two weeks without a refill.
I used a slim old work box which I had to modify to fit the cavity I created for the outlet wiring looks nice and clean.
Thinking of putting a small fan inside for air circulation
Signage and cheap little remote thermometer to give me a general idea of what's going on in there.
All in all I have about one hundred and sixty dollars invested in my curing chamber, and I’m thinking its money well spent.
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