When alcohol is stored the right way, it can last for a long time. You have to know what you’re doing in order to store alcohol effectively, and this article will show you some of the most effective ways that alcohol can be stored so that it lasts longer.
Store Your Alcohol in a Cool, Dark Place
You have to keep alcohol in a cool, dark place to keep it fresh for as long as possible. Place it in your fridge as soon as you buy it and remove any other items that may interfere with the cold airflow (e.g., yogurt containers). If you don’t have room in your refrigerator then store alcohol upright on a shelf in your closet.
Wrap the alcohol tightly with a plastic bag to prevent it from drying out and make sure that any bottles are completely closed before storing them. Avoid storing alcohol on top of other items or near windows, as this will expose it to too much warmth and temperature fluctuation.
Keep it away from sunlight because alcohol absorbs UV rays and the alcohol content will be reduced. Don’t store alcohol in places that are too humid, as this can cause mold to grow on the bottles or can. Avoid placing alcohol near a heat source such as your stove or fireplace because alcohol, depending on the strength, is flammable and could ignite.
Keep the Bottles Upright and do Not Stack them on Top of One Another
Alcohol bottles should be kept upright so that they can continue aging properly. When alcohol bottles are stacked on top of one another, the alcohol’s flavor is often tainted and it will have a less-than-pleasant taste. This can even lead to alcohol bottles exploding.
If you live in a small home, the best way to store alcohol is usually on shelves or in cabinets that are at least four feet high and six inches deep. The height of these containers will help keep the alcohol upright while also protecting it from light as much as possible.
Some types of alcohol, such as wine, should be stored on their sides so they do not open too quickly and release more air than necessary into your environment. This will also reduce any chance of leakage due to having less pressure inside the bottle when it’s tipped over than if it was storing upright with all its contents put under pressure by gravity pressing down onto them through the cork. When stacking alcohol bottles, stack only one tier high.
Use a Decanter for your Wine
A decanter may not be the most exciting wine accessory, but it’s one of the most useful as wine Decanters allow you to store your wine for a longer period of time without breaking down any of its elements such as flavor or aroma. If wine is stored in an inferior container, it may develop undesirable tastes and smells due to oxidation caused by exposure to air over time.
The reason that oxidation occurs is that wine has sulfites naturally occurring within it which are oxidized when exposed to oxygen. This results in less savory flavors and aromas and can completely ruin an otherwise good bottle of wine. It doesn’t take long before these effects can cause damage if left unchecked. Even white wines have their limits on how long they should stay in contact with the air.
A decanter, on the other hand, will provide a seal from exposure to oxygen while still letting the wine breathe and aerate for an extended period of time. With a decanter, wines can age or develop more complexity in flavor over time without breaking down as quickly. Wine is best served at cellar temperature so a wine cooler like the one pictured above would be perfect!
Make Sure that You use an Appropriate Sealant
Cork and screw caps are alcohol sealants that can be used to keep alcohol fresh and free from unpleasant smells. When alcohol is exposed to oxygen, a chemical process will commence, which causes a beer or wine’s taste, color, and alcohol content to change over time.
The cork sealant has been making its way back into many people’s homes because of how effective it is at sealing the bottle and keeping oxygen at bay. The natural properties of cork make for an airtight seal so you don’t have worries about storing your alcohol for years without having any pesky odors leak out onto your shelves. It also doesn’t affect the flavor or quality of your alcohol like other types of plastic seals do and with a traditional cork, they’re reusable! There are some drawbacks though: corks can’t be used for alcohols that are exposed to light; they may produce a slight cork flavor; and they’re not reusable.
Label all of your Alcohol with What is Inside and When it was Purchased
Labeling alcohol is important because alcohol can go bad easily and if it’s not stored properly, you could be wasting space. Most of your booze will already have a label, but if it doesn’t, be sure to add one. Label all your alcohol with what is inside and when it was purchased so that you know what is stored where and its months/years of aging.
If you don’t label alcohol, it might go bad and you would be wasting alcohol that could have been enjoyed. Labels are also important because they can help when people ask what alcohol is in one of your bottles and how long it has been stored. This will save time from and help you look like the alcohol- aging expert you claim to be.
Make Sure to Refrigerate the Booze that need to be Refrigerated
You have to be sure to refrigerate the alcohol that needs it. That means white wines, for the most part. Red wines can last longer when they are stored in a wine cellar or on your counter and chilled before serving (unless you have an exceptionally high alcohol content).
- Put white wines in the fridge if you plan to drink soon. Otherwise, store at room temperature
- Store reds at cool temperatures but not below 45 degrees Fahrenheit so they don’t freeze
- If spirits are over 40% alcohol, keep them out of direct sunlight since direct light will degrade higher proof alcohols quickly!
- There is no need to refrigerate mixers, though you will want to store them in the fridge if they are alcohol-based
- Beer should always be refrigerated
To store your alcohol the right way, follow these simple tips. This article should help you learn how. Keep your booze out of the sunlight, avoid conditions that lead to constant temperature fluctuation, and put the ones that need to be cold in the fridge. Keep your bottles arranged neatly on a shelf and store in a cool place and never stack them on top of each other. Follow these simple rules and your alcohol will always be ready to enjoy to the fullest. Cheers!
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