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  1. #1
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    Building a Cheese factory

    Hi Guys

    I plan to build a Cheese factory 50-60 m2 (small scale) and have thousand of questions.

    First of all I have some questions about building the basement (storage for cheese). It’s going to be approx 2500 mm deep.
    Are there any building blocks that I can use, or is it best with massive concrete?
    I am not sure about the ground yet. It’s going to be build in an old water reserve. That means most of the digging are already done. I am not sure if I have to pile (right written?) into the ground.

    To insulate the walls on the ground floor I thought about using red bricks, not the small one, but massive.
    In Norway they build double walls with air between to insulate the house. Does someone have any ideas around this how the thermal conductivity will be?

    Any help are welcome

    Rune


  2. #2
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    aging one's Avatar
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    build it here? How much is air conditioning going to cost when you go to age the cheese? That would seem to be the bigger question. What kinds of cheese are you thinking of making?

  3. #3
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    I planned to make a couple of soft cheese camembert and blue castello (blue cheese) and 2-3 hard cheeses. Gauda, Edamer so fare...
    And yes its goint to be in Thailand close to Phitchit.

    Soft cheese need to be stored for 3 weeks in 16 degree celsiuse. Hard cheese sligltly colder and about 3 month.

    And to make the air con expences as low as possible I build the storage under ground. I have done some expriments alrady. I digg down a digital termometer 1 meter under the surface in clay. The temprature never raise above 26 degree (we had 38 degreese outside), but exacly the cost i cant tell you

  4. #4
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    I wish you luck because you are going to need it. Blue cheese will have to be aged much longer than 3 months. I would cost out keeping the area cool as my first thing.

  5. #5

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    dirtydog's Avatar
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    ^Industry standard for aging blue cheese is 60 days I believe.

  6. #6
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    Sure I have done my calculation. I dont know how loong you have been into "cheese business", but normaly you can sell blue cheese after 40 days.

  7. #7
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Know little about cheese making but the issue AO brings up about keeping a constant temperature is something to heavily consider.

    Quote Originally Posted by rune
    Soft cheese need to be stored for 3 weeks in 16 degree celsiuse. Hard cheese sligltly colder and about 3 month. And to make the air con expences as low as possible I build the storage under ground. I have done some expriments alrady. I digg down a digital termometer 1 meter under the surface in clay. The temprature never raise above 26 degree (we had 38 degreese outside), but exacly the cost i cant tell you
    You will need to maintain temperature 10C lower than outside or a bit less if you go deeper with the basement. This is going to add to cost. How much I don't know.
    "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect,"

  8. #8
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    I am aware of the cost of keep the temprature down. I have already been in contact with some Chinees supplyer of cooling/moistering system. This have been done many places in tropical climat. There are to producers of cheese in south of Thailand. This is commercial business so they are not so happy sharing their expirience with me.
    My question was how to make it cool as possible?

  9. #9
    Have you got any cheese Thetyim's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rune
    Are there any building blocks that I can use, or is it best with massive concrete?
    The best thermal blocks are Qcon and they are now available in 20cm thickness.

    I wouldn't go for a cavity wall as it won't stay sealed for long and will fill end up a nice home for insects, bugs, etc

  10. #10
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    We use something simular in Norway (Leca) 25cm for everything under ground and cover it with a thik PVC/plast with knobs

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by rune
    I am not sure about the ground yet. It’s going to be build in an old water reserve. That means most of the digging are already done.
    What's going to happen to it in the rainy season, whether from run off or the ground table rising?

  12. #12
    Days Work Done! Norton's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Thetyim
    The best thermal blocks are Qcon and they are now available in 20cm thickness.
    Some Qcon details.

    Welcome to Q-con

    Quote Originally Posted by rune
    cover it with a thik PVC/plast with knobs
    A moisture/vapor blocking material. Used on walls, ceiling and floors. Available in Thailand.

    If you think you need further insulation beyond the Qcon consider a wall with insulation between the concrete (Qcon) on the walls/ceiling.

  13. #13
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    i have made cheese before and i was looking into doing it in thailand my idea was why not build structure above ground and then cover with earth solves two problems ..is above ground water and have alot easier access..ever think of converting shipping containers into cheese caves?

  14. #14
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    Where are you planning of building? In the northern mountains we get quite cool overnight temperatures for much of the year, that should cut down on the aircon bill.
    Just so happens I have some nice land for sale as well....

  15. #15
    Thailand Expat jandajoy's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by beano
    Just so happens I have some nice land for sale as well....
    Where?

    Tell me about it.

  16. #16
    Thailand Expat superman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rune
    First of all I have some questions about building the basement (storage for cheese). It’s going to be approx 2500 mm deep.
    Make sure you don't build the basement below the 'water table' or you'll find yourself with a basement full of water, come the rain season.

    Edited:-Sorry, just spotted Bugginout's post.

  17. #17
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    There's plenty of cheese in this country and many varieties - all imported of course. But it's expensive. It's only worth making it yourself if you can undercut them.

  18. #18
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    Air Con

    Air Conditioning cost in Thailand (based on an actual Panasonic Unit) will run around 2.53 baht per unit

    A 18,213.26 BTU air con uses 4,990.28 units per year.

    Cost of electric to run the 18,213.26 BTU stated at 12,625 thb per year.

    Figure out your square footage, then you will have your air conditioning annual unit requirement

    Multiply that annual unit requirement number by 2.53 thb should give you annual air conditioning cost

    Example if you need 54,000 BTU for the square footage that would be (4,990 X 3) or 14,970 units of electricity per year

    14,970 X 2.53 = 37,874 thai baht per year or 3,156 thb per month electric

    Be advised I have read thai electric to increase 5% a year for the next 20 years?

  19. #19
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    I would be concerned about whether or not the village had adequate electricity on a regular basis. Where my upcountry home is, the village just recently installed phase 2 for the increased electrical demands. Have no idea when phase 3 will be completed. Beforehand, it was often impossible to run the AC.

  20. #20
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    He seems to have the cost and supply of electricity worked out, and was asking about the actual structure of the building/basement

    as said, try to choose a location where the water table is much lower than your structure, esp in the rainy season

    there are lots of standard building methods for making a basement waterproof, expensive but they work. Something like building a swimming pool but keeping any water out!

    well vibrated concrete works (with butyl seals between walls etc), with an epoxy seal rendered over. You could then tile it all for extra waterproofing and also hygiene for the cheese making/storage
    I have reported your post

  21. #21
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    Quote Originally Posted by jandajoy View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by beano
    Just so happens I have some nice land for sale as well....
    Where?

    Tell me about it.
    Give me a PM with what you're looking for if you're serious.

  22. #22
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    Quote Originally Posted by DrAndy View Post
    try to choose a location where the water table is much lower than your structure, esp in the rainy season
    Thailand have 2 water tables. Ground water and shalow water.
    Witch water level do you mean. Ground water dont affect so much from rain/dry season.

  23. #23
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    Think of building a basement here as building a pool. Forget blocks, you need concrete and waterproof it, use a waterstop also.

    This also depends on the water table etc for the wet season mostly.

    Building above as mentioned and covering with soil and the only entrance should be well shaded an extend well beyond the entry point, at least 3 metres, more if possible.

    Then the cows can sit on the roof and eat.
    I like poisoning my neighbours dogs till they die cos I'm a cnut

  24. #24
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    Quote Originally Posted by Nawty View Post
    Then the cows can sit on the roof and eat.
    Hehe. But sorry for the cows, its going to be a house there as well.

    My girlfriend working for an austrailian gold mine company nereby. She goes on site today with a couple of here colleagues (geologists) checking water levels

  25. #25
    Thailand Expat superman's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by rune
    Thailand have 2 water tables. Ground water and shalow water.
    It's 'ground water & surface water'. I think you having a laugh "rune".

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