Things You'll Need:
- Wine cellar humidifier
-
Step 1
Determine your wine cellar's overall humidity levels to calculate how much artificial assistance it needs. Location is everything: If you live in the Southwest, then you will need a complete climate control system; if you live in the Northeast or the Deep South, then you won't need as much humidity control if you place your cellar in a good location.
-
Step 2
Install a thermostat and hygrometer. Between the two, you will be able to keep a constant eye on the conditions inside the wine cellar. The temperature should remain at approximately 55 degrees F with a humidity of 60 to 65 percent.
-
Step 3
Invest in both a wine cellar conditioner and a wine cellar climate control unit. The conditioner controls humidity, while the climate control unit regulates the temperature.
-
Step 4
Check the hygrometer every day or every other day. This will give you a constant update on the humidity in the wine cellar. Letting the humidity drop for an extended period, even just a few days, can exert a profound effect on the corks in the bottles. It can dry a cork to the point where the seal is broken.
-
Step 5
Turn on wine cellar conditioner and let it run whenever the room needs a new shot of humidity. Depending on the size of your wine cellar and the power of your conditioner, this can take anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours, so make periodic checks of the hygrometer to keep track of the conditioner's progress.
