Re: Aging puerh: what is your setup?
Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 9:42 am
I can wouch for plastic box with diy salt pack. I store about 8kg of sheng in two semiairtight boxes and have around 62RH all the time
The main reason I am doing this is not so much for aging, but to keep the tea from drying out, becoming flat, etc. over time. While I use/drink all of my tea now, it may be a year+ before finishing. I also plan to buy a several cakes if this storage works out so they could be sitting around for well over a year.swordofmytriumph wrote: ↑Sun Dec 23, 2018 1:58 amWow, until reading this thread I didn't even know I should be regulating humidity and so forth. I've just been storing my tea on a shelf. That explains why the older cakes have been getting a bit flat! Does anyone have any recommended reading on how to set up something like all y'all have? Or maybe a recommendation for a really basic setup (like a plastic tub)? I only have a couple cakes. I'm not really into aging at the moment, just wanting to keep the cakes from drying out/getting flat.
Edit: I drink all my pu erh fairly regularly, maybe 2-3x per week. Would opening a container that often be bad for it or should I open it every day because air circulation? Am thinking maybe a plastic tub like gatmcm is using would work for me (cheap). Also, I live near Seattle, and my house is kept at 68-70F typically.
Wow!! How did this guy not get a standing ovation?? This is awesomeAtlas wrote: ↑Sat Feb 10, 2018 12:36 amToday was a good day.
Still waiting on some DC/DC converters so I can power it from the 12V supply and lose the USB cable.
Eventually I'll make these door shelves usable for samples/tuocha/small cakes.
Active heating and humidity controls are now working, with setpoints of 31.5degC and ~74%rh. There's no measurable temperature difference between top and bottom and a humidity gradient of 2%rh.
Currently I'm running 10W of heating elements, since the transistors I'm using can only handle the 5W pads.
Next on the list is putting together an tiny desktop enclosure for the base station with a temp/humidity/alarm display.
Hah, that's very kind.Rickpatbrown wrote: ↑Thu Dec 27, 2018 12:15 amWow!! How did this guy not get a standing ovation?? This is awesome
Rickpatbrown wrote: ↑Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:55 pmI found these at Target for $9. I picked up 2 of them to see how they do. I like the sealing strip to keep humidity in.
Place it out in the sun for a few days. I've heard of others scrubbing the inside with a mix of baking soda and water, then rinsing. Also, just placing baking soda inside, no water, to absorb aromas. Honestly, target might not have the highest quality bins. I know people that use food safe plastic storage bins, can probably find some online. I use a cooler bought in person. I smell all the coolers, likely looking odd , to find the one with the least smell then air them out for a while in the sun, atleast a few days if not weeks.Rickpatbrown wrote: ↑Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:57 amRickpatbrown wrote: ↑Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:55 pmI found these at Target for $9. I picked up 2 of them to see how they do. I like the sealing strip to keep humidity in.
12 hours later ... they smell like plastic once I put some humidity in them
I have this problem with a minifridge wine cooler I bought off craigslist. Maybe they can add humidity, air out, repeat?
I was doing the same and thinking the same last night in Target. I was also thinking that if someone stopped and asked what I was doing, my explanation would have left them equally confused. I've realized it's easier to understand than to be understood when it come to tea.Teachronicles wrote: ↑Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:08 amI smell all the coolers, likely looking odd , to find the one with the least smell then air them out for a while in the sun, atleast a few days if not weeks.
I got a few Sistema Klip It containers, washed with hot water and unscented soap, and sat in the sun for 1-2 days and I no longer detect plastic smell. I have 3 of the 7 liter size which may be enough (one for young sheng, one for aged, and one for ripe). I see they have a 9.6 liter size but a local store didnt have that one.Teachronicles wrote: ↑Wed Jan 23, 2019 8:08 amPlace it out in the sun for a few days. I've heard of others scrubbing the inside with a mix of baking soda and water, then rinsing. Also, just placing baking soda inside, no water, to absorb aromas. Honestly, target might not have the highest quality bins. I know people that use food safe plastic storage bins, can probably find some online. I use a cooler bought in person. I smell all the coolers, likely looking odd , to find the one with the least smell then air them out for a while in the sun, atleast a few days if not weeks.Rickpatbrown wrote: ↑Wed Jan 23, 2019 7:57 amRickpatbrown wrote: ↑Tue Jan 22, 2019 8:55 pmI found these at Target for $9. I picked up 2 of them to see how they do. I like the sealing strip to keep humidity in.
12 hours later ... they smell like plastic once I put some humidity in them
I have this problem with a minifridge wine cooler I bought off craigslist. Maybe they can add humidity, air out, repeat?