Essential Cheese Making Equipment and Ingredients for Beginners - Part 2

active. Signs of ingredient degradation include slow acidification (cultures) or weak curd formation (rennet). Cultures may develop off odors or fail to acidify milk within expected timeframes. Contaminated cultures might produce unexpected colors or textures. When in doubt, small test batches reveal problems before wasting gallons of milk. Most suppliers guarantee products and replace defective items. ### Money-Saving Equipment Alternatives and DIY Solutions Creative substitutions and homemade solutions can reduce cheese making costs dramatically without sacrificing quality. Many expensive tools have simple, effective alternatives hiding in your kitchen or available at minimal cost from unexpected sources. Cheese presses rank among the most expensive specialty items, often costing $100-300. However, simple DIY versions work excellently. Two cutting boards with bolts at the corners create an adjustable press. Tighten wing nuts to increase pressure gradually. A gallon jug filled with water weighs about 8 pounds – perfect for many recipes. Stack books, use paint cans filled with water, or employ hand weights for different pressures. A kitchen scale under your press helps monitor applied weight. Professional curd cutters cost $50-100, but homemade versions work equally well. Create a curd harp by stretching fishing line or unflavored dental floss across a wire cooling rack at 1/2-inch intervals. Secure with hot glue or small screws. For vertical cuts, use a long knife. Some cheese makers build frames from wood strips with wire or fishing line stretched between them. These DIY tools create more uniform curds than knives alone. Cheese caves seem essential for aging, but simple alternatives exist. A wine refrigerator offers ideal temperature control (50-60°F) at reasonable cost, especially used models. Regular refrigerators work with modifications: place cheese in covered containers with damp paper towels for humidity. Small thermometer-hygrometers ($10) monitor conditions. Plastic storage boxes with tight-fitting lids create micro-environments within your regular refrigerator. Specialized draining mats cost $20-30, but alternatives abound. Bamboo sushi mats ($5) work perfectly and clean easily. Plastic needlepoint canvas from craft stores offers excellent drainage at minimal cost. Food-safe plastic mesh used for dehydrators serves double duty. Even new, clean plastic doormats work if they're food-safe plastic without added chemicals or dyes. Cheese wax appears expensive at $15-20 per pound, but alternatives exist. Food-grade paraffin from canning supplies costs less and works adequately for short-term aging. Some cheese makers use vacuum sealers instead of waxing. Natural rinds develop without any coating, requiring only regular turning and occasional salt water washing. Cloth-binding with lard or butter creates traditional finishes using pantry ingredients. Calibration tools need not be purchased. Ice water provides a 32°F reference point for thermometer checking. Boiling water offers 212°F at sea level (subtract 2°F per 1,000 feet elevation). A saturated salt solution creates 75% humidity for hygrometer calibration. These free methods match expensive calibration equipment for home use accuracy. ### Creating Your Cheese Making Shopping List Building your cheese making arsenal strategically prevents overspending while ensuring you have necessary tools when inspiration strikes. This prioritized shopping list guides purchases based on cheese making progression and budget constraints. Start with absolute essentials under $50 total. Buy a quality instant-read thermometer ($20), butter muslin or fine cheesecloth ($10), calcium chloride ($5), cheese salt ($5), and basic mesophilic culture ($8). These items, combined with kitchen equipment you own, enable dozens of cheese varieties. Add liquid rennet ($7) to expand beyond acid-coagulated cheeses. The second phase ($50-100) enhances consistency and convenience. Invest in dedicated cheese making pots if your current cookware proves inadequate. Add a cheese making journal, pH strips, specialized draining baskets, and thermophilic cultures for Italian cheeses. Consider a basic cheese mold set for improved appearance. These additions refine your technique without breaking the bank. Phase three ($100-200) supports advanced techniques. A simple cheese press opens hard cheese possibilities. Add lipase for authentic Italian flavors, specialized cultures for specific cheeses, and aging supplies like cheese paper or wax. A dedicated mini-refrigerator for aging might fit this budget if bought used. These investments support serious hobby-level cheese making. Optional equipment enhances enjoyment but isn't essential. Curd harps, professional molds, humidity-controlled aging chambers, and commercial-grade presses fall into this category. Purchase only after confirming your commitment to cheese making. Many successful cheese makers never buy these items, creating excellent cheese with basic equipment throughout their journey. Budget-friendly shopping strategies maximize your dollars. Buy cultures and rennet in bulk with cheese making friends, splitting costs and shipping. Check restaurant supply stores for commercial-grade equipment at reasonable prices. Estate sales and restaurant closures offer incredible deals on quality pots and tools. Online marketplaces often have barely-used cheese making equipment from those who lost interest. Create a wish list for gift-giving occasions. Family and friends appreciate specific suggestions for birthdays and holidays. Quality thermometers, beautiful cheese boards, specialized molds, or cheese making class enrollments make excellent gifts. This approach gradually builds your collection without straining your budget while involving loved ones in your hobby.