Can I Store Alcohol Or Wine In A Storage Unit?
Sometimes! Permission to store alcohol or wine in a storage unit will depend on the storage company and local laws. You will always need to confirm with your specific storage facility to check if alcohol or wine is permitted.
You’ll also want to check if the storage unit is suitable for storing alcohol; if you’re storing wine or certain spirits, you’ll want a climate-controlled environment to prevent it from spoiling.
At The Box Co., we have flexible storage solutions to suit your specific needs. We also have climate-controlled storage facilities to make sure any alcohol or wine stored with us is kept in great condition. Get in touch today and our dedicated team will work with you to find the best storage option.
What Do You Need To Know Before Storing Alcohol or Wine in a Storage Unit?
Before you decide to store alcohol or wine in a storage unit, you’ll need to consider a few things.
Storage facility policies
Policies regarding alcohol storage will vary between facilities. Before deciding on a storage solution, make sure that alcohol is actually permitted.
Temperature control
When storing alcohol, you’ll want to make sure that the wine or spirits do not spoil. For that, you’ll need a climate-controlled storage unit to ensure a coo temperature and correct humidity levels.
Security
Wine and alcohol can be an expensive investment so you’ll want to keep it safe. Choose a secure storage facility (looking for features such as 24/7 surveillance) and consider insurance. Some storage solutions have insurance included already so it’s one less thing to think about!
Packaging
You’ll want to make sure that your wine and alcohol bottles stay safe during storage so make sure to use good quality packing materials and think about the positioning of the bottles.
Do You Need to Store Alcohol and Wine in a Climate-Controlled Setting?
Yes, climate-controlled storage is key when storing alcohol or wine as it ensures that your bottles stay in good condition.
Climate-controlled units ensure that the temperature and humidity level are correct. For example, extreme temperatures could cause alcohol to freeze or spoil whilst a humidity that is too low can cause the alcohol to dry out or lead to breakages at the moment of opening the bottle.
Alcohols that are especially sensitive to temperature, such as wine, will need climate control in order to be stored without spoiling over time.
What’s the Best Way to Keep Alcohol or Wine in Storage?
When storing alcohol or wine in a storage unit, there are a few top tips:
Good packaging
Alcohol and wine are usually stored in glass bottles, making them a fragile item. One of the top priorities when storing alcohol is to make sure the bottles cannot be easily broken. This will mean sturdy storage containers, good quality boxes and avoiding overpacking of boxes to avoid breakages.
Optimise space
To keep storage costs affordable, you’ll want to pack as efficiently as possible and minimise space, while also thinking about protecting your alcohol. Consider labelling boxes to easily organise what you need as well as optimising the space per storage box so that all bottles are stored in an upright position.
Temperature and light control
When storing alcohol, you’ll want to protect it from heat and light - the two main elements which can lead to the deterioration and damage of your wine or alcohol.
Alcohol and wine should be stored in a cool, dark place with the right level of humidity so that the cork doesn’t dry out and cause oxidation.
When Are You Not Allowed to Store Alcohol or Wine in a Storage Unit?
There are certain instances where you won’t be allowed to store wine or alcohol in a storage unit, especially if you’re looking to store a large volume of bottles.
Some self-storage facilities have a strict no-alcohol policy so always make sure to check before choosing a storage provider.
Some self-storage facilities may classify alcohol as an illegal item along with things like drugs and flammable products. If this is the case, you won’t be allowed to store any wine or alcohol with them. Before signing a rental agreement, make sure you understand what the specific storage company defines as “illegal”.
In the case of some storage facilities, alcohol may be classified as food, and will have specific restrictions about food and perishable items.
If you are planning on storing alcohol or wine in a storage unit, it is always worth checking with the storage facility beforehand to avoid improper storage or unintentionally violating the terms and conditions of your rental agreement.
How Do Different Alcohols Need to be Stored?
Different types of alcohol have different needs when it comes to storage:
Wine
Wine bottles should be stored in sturdy boxes and kept upright. They must be stored in a climate-controlled storage space so that you can regulate temperature, humidity level and light exposure. The ideal temperature for wine is around 7-18 degrees celsius and a humidity of around 60-70%.
Beer
Beer is a much more low-maintenance alcohol when it comes to storage as it doesn’t spoil so easily. An ideal temperature for beer is around 7-13 degrees celsius; slightly cooler for lagers and slightly warmer for stout beers. It should be protected from too much light exposure.
Spirits
To store spirits, you’ll need to keep them in a dark space with a constant temperature to avoid degradation from extreme temperatures. Room temperature is usually acceptable.
Cream-based liqueurs
Any cream-based liqueurs, such as Baileys or Advocaat, will have more strict requirements when it comes to storage as they can spoil more quickly than other alcohols. These must be kept somewhere cool and dark with a constant temperature and for a shorter duration than other alcohols.
Flexible, Climate-Controlled Storage in the UK with The Box Co.
If you’re looking to store your alcohol or wine collection, we’ve got you covered. At The Box Co., we offer climate-controlled storage with 24/7 security to make sure your collection is stored safely and at optimum conditions.
Store for as little or as long as you like with our flexible, by-the-box storage solutions. When you need your items, we can bring them back straight to your door. Talk to our team today about how we can help you store alcohol and wine!
