Archive for March, 2008

Mar 28 2008

Wine Storage - Hints And Tips

Published by admin under Storage Service

Few wine lovers are lucky enough to possess perfect purpose built, cavernous, subterranean cellars. Many of us have imperfect storage arrangements for our wine, but it is important to understand how to protect wine from damaging conditions so that we can make the most of the wine storage facilities available. Wine storage conditions dont need to be perfect, but the finer the wine and the longer you intend to store it for, the nearer to perfect they have to be.

There is a lot of variety in the way in which different wines will react to adverse conditions. Red wines tend to be more robust with white wines being more delicate. There is also variation between the grape varieties, with grapes like cabernet sauvignon being considerably more resilient than pinot noir. The aim in this article is to give you an overview of the factors to consider and the options available for storing your wine.

1)Temprature

Temprature along with light is responsible for doing the most damage to wine. The ideal wine cellar temperature is between 7-13 degrees C. At the higher end of the scale wines will mature faster. The key though is a constant temperature. If all other factors are optimum then it can be ok to store your wine at much higher temperatures (eg room temperature) as long as its a constant temperature.

If you dont have a cellar in your house then think about using north facing walls, under the stairs, a well insulated garage or coal hole. Keep a thermometer in your storage area so you can check for a consistent temperature.

2)Light

Natural and artificial light will do a lot of damage to wine. If your wine storage area isn’t dark like a cellar or under stairs cupboard then this is a very easy to overcome problem. Try and block of the area with a curtain or cover the wine with a blanket.

3)Humidity

Relative humidity for wine storage should be at least 55% with the ideal range being 70-75%. The role of humidity in wine storage is slightly controversial, although lack of it is believed to aid oxidation of the wine.

4)Movement

Wine really doesnt enjoy too much movement. If you ever need to transport your wine or if its just been delivered from your merchant then its important to give the wine a few days rest. If you happen to live in a house that gets shook by heavy traffic, trains or planes, then try and store your wine in an area that is least affected.

5)Horizontal

There is a plethora of wine racks available to buy. This is an important purchase as wine should always be stored on its side. Storing wine on its side keeps it in contact with the cork thus preventing the cork from drying out and letting air in.

Buying and renting cellar space

The five points we have just covered are your main considerations when choosing where to store your wine. If you have the money, it is possible to purchase a wine storage cabinet. These temperature and humidity controlled cabinets resemble fridges, but will give you absolute perfect storage conditions. Another alternative would be to install a spiral cellar. Many companies now sell and install these if you have the available space and money. For those wine lovers that are buying the finest wines to lay down for many years it may be worth considering renting cellar space from a reputable wine merchant. This will be costly, but money well spent to protect your investment.

David Roberts has been a wine lover for many years and as well as working in for a large wine merchant has also set up http://www.wineknowledgeonline.com

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Mar 27 2008

What to Look for in a Self Storage Company

Published by admin under Storage Service

With literally hundreds of local self-storage facilities in any given area, how is one to choose one from another? Are those with the big, flashy signs the best, or should you stick to the one close to home? Your friend’s cousin rented one last spring- maybe you should give her a call? How will you know if you are choosing the right self-storage company to suit your needs?

For the majority of us, when it comes to purchasing something that we have never needed before, hind-sight is almost always 20/20. Our research is hindered by the bright and snazzy colors of bulletin boards, local newspapers and other ad sources in the community, making us easily forget what it is that we we’re actually looking for in a product or service. The self-storage industry is no different.

For starters, do your homework. Your efforts on this venture will need quite a bit of forethought and a knowledgeable customer service associate to help you out. Making a couple of phone calls, paying a few visits to local companies, and asking a lot of questions are key to getting your ideal storage unit.

First on our list (assuming that all companies are similarly priced and have the same size units available) is the location of your self storage company. No one knows better than you how easily accessible each location is from where you are (familiarizing yourself with the traffic situations during the day will also help your endeavors). Ideally, any ad placed by a self-storage company will have a street address and a map with a few common landmarks.

Next topic: security. Is there 24-hour surveillance? Would you feel comfortable walking around alone after dark? Are there separate alarms for each unit? Fire protection/sprinkler system is an item worth a definite query on your part.

Third, when would you be able to access your unit? If seven day admittance is important to you, be sure you find a company that can accommodate you.

Number four on our list- Rental transportation. Are there dollies and/or carts available on the premises, or will you need to bring/find your own? What about a truck rental- is it on location or nearby for you to hire for a few hours? What about trailers? This is definitely worth a thought, for even small items can weigh a lot if you’re carrying them alone.

And finally, is there a store within the realm of this particular self storage company? If so, what sort of items do they sell? Quick snacks and beverages are good, as well as packing supplies such as boxes and tape, or any items you may need to adequately put together your self-storage unit.

John Weisner recommends http://www.storedge.com if you’re looking for a self-storage company in Canada.

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Mar 26 2008

Portable Sheds For All Your Storage Needs

Published by admin under Storage Service

Portable sheds can be used for many things, as they come in all different styles and sizes. They offer the ideal solution for those that have an overload of items that they don’t have any room to store, such as household items, toys for the children, bikes that belong to the whole family, lawn mowers and tools that otherwise lay around the yard. The funny thing is that these items are seldom found when you are ready to use them. When you have a shed that you can easily move anywhere in your yard, then it can become a very useful thing. The size and type of shed will depend on what you want the shed for.

These sheds are an alternative to high priced storage. If you need a round style shed you can find it available. Portables come in sizes that will handle livestock, shade houses, greenhouses and any other thing that you will need. They are ideal as they don’t have to be left in one place and can be easily moved if necessary. Most of these sheds can be installed with a minimal amount of work and very little amount of tools. Even the largest shed you can purchase will only take a few days to have it installed.

They are durable and easy to maintain. Some companies offer a lifetime warranty with their portables and they make them in sizes that will suit your needs for home and garden. These portables are usually made out of a tough, strong polyethylene and they are made to last. They come resistant to rot, degrading, UV rays or anything else the outdoor weather can dish out. They have built in shelving to keep your tools or anything you want to store, tidy and are accessible. They have shatter proof windows that open and lock and some have many sky lights for easy ventilation. Another option is an interior light. With the many options available, it is very likely you will choose to purchase one of these sheds rather that build one from scratch.

For lots of helpful information on shed designs and related topics, visit The Sheds Guide at http://www.theshedsguide.com

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