raised floor in fridge

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Wed May 02, 2012 8:17 am

I have some scrap mdf lying around, I was thinking about using it to create a floor in my fridge to replace the crispers, which weren't sturdy enough to support kegs. Thoughts on that? I am thinking if I hit it (especially the edges) with a few hundred layers of Kilz, there shouldn't be any moisture absorption. What have you guys used for floors in a regular top/bottom fridge where you had to discard the crispers? I'm assuming plywood for the most part. Any issues with moisture/eventual rotting?

Post by **JimPotts** » Wed May 02, 2012 8:30 am

Personally, I'd use green-treated lumber. The kilz might fix the MDF, but I wouldn't trust it, myself.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Wed May 02, 2012 8:33 am

I recently redid the shelf in my fridge. I built a simple step out of scrap laminate counter top left over from when I built my house. So basically it is particle board. The top/back shelf rests on the top of the angle for the back of the floor. It is about a 3" rise from the shelf that rests on the floor. We will have to see how it holds up. With my fridge, I don't have much for moisture issues unless I spill beer in it. The new configuration holds four kegs on the bottom of the fridge. I was able to put two shelves back in to the fridge which really increased my bottle capacity. I can also throw a few extra kegs in there but four seems to be my production capacity as it seems one is always running dry before the next keg is ready. I'll take some pics if you want.

On a side note, I added some tall tap handles to my fridge and had to get a bonnet angler to make them work. I thought this was an overpriced little piece of metal. I was looking at the taps last night (while pouring a few beers) and thought why don't I just extend them further away from the fridge? So I am headed to Menards to get some PVC pipe (that stuff is cheap), paint it black and move the taps out a bit from the surface of the fridge. I will make a separate post if I am successfull.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Wed May 02, 2012 8:35 am

JimPotts wrote:Personally, I'd use green-treated lumber. The kilz might fix the MDF, but I wouldn't trust it, myself.

I would go with treated lumber over Kilz. I have lots of scrap material around the house. I would use whatever is laying around and if you have moisture issues then buy what's necessary to correct the issue like treated wood or something.

Bones · Post by **Bones** » Wed May 02, 2012 8:55 am

Over thinking it. It takes forever for wood to rot, especially with little to no humidity. Use your scrap wood and paint it up and enjoy your brew.

My $0.02

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Wed May 02, 2012 8:58 am

Bones wrote:Over thinking it. It takes forever for wood to rot, especially with little to no humidity. Use your scrap wood and paint it up and enjoy your brew.

My $0.02

yeah! *fist in the air*

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:04 am

Yup, keep it simple. You don't even need paint. I had a shelf made from scrap 2x4's with no paint or anything for 8 years. I had spilt beer all over it and was rarely wiped off. I was still fine when I replaced it. Only reason I replaced it was to reconfigure my fridge to use the space better. Moving the gas outside the fridge was huge too!

Bones · Post by **Bones** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:09 am

Matt F wrote:Moving the gas outside the fridge was huge too!

How did you do this? I had simple barbed fittings that I used to go through the side. Plans are to go to a smaller 5# bottle to leave it in the fridge (along with the taps) on it's side where the crisper was and still have 2...maybe 3 kegs above.

I wasn't a huge fan of my old set up and had leaks which were frustrating.

Post by **JimPotts** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:16 am

Yeah, but he was talking about MDF, not wood. MDF will soak up moisture and swell really fast. I've seen it happen.

On Wed, May 2, 2012 at 9:55 AM, Bones <brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org (brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org)> wrote:

Over thinking it. It takes forever for wood to rot, especially with little to no humidity. Use your scrap wood and paint it up and enjoy your brew.

My $0.02

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Mr T · Post by **Mr T** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:27 am

I think the one thing you need to consider is if this is a newer fridge with auto defrost in the freezer. If so than I doubt moisture would be much of a problem. I have a VERY old fridge that tends to be rather moist since it’s a single door old school freezer that turns into a block of ice every year where you can put a case in there to start and by the end of the year you could only fit one can of beer.

From: hoboscratch [mailto:brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org]
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2012 9:17 AM
To: brew-equipment@crbeernuts.org
Subject: raised floor in fridge

I have some scrap mdf lying around, I was thinking about using it to create a floor in my fridge to replace the crispers, which weren't sturdy enough to support kegs. Thoughts on that? I am thinking if I hit it (especially the edges) with a few hundred layers of Kilz, there shouldn't be any moisture absorption. What have you guys used for floors in a regular top/bottom fridge where you had to discard the crispers? I'm assuming plywood for the most part. Any issues with moisture/eventual rotting?

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Bones · Post by **Bones** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:30 am

True, MDF would not be my first choice. I hate working with it as well

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:49 am

I had used it to make a workbench in my garage, which is why I have scrap. I prefer it over plywood in that respect because its nice and smooth and there was minimal sanding. No splinters or rough spots. Its about 8 years old. I do know that mdf is very sensitive to moisture, but hadn't used it in a situation where moisture like the inside of a fridge might come into play. Just the humidity from the Iowa air, which hasn't affected my workbench at all. I have read this morning that lacquer works well to seal it. Sounds like a pain.

hoboscratch · Post by **hoboscratch** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:52 am

Mr T wrote:I think the one thing you need to consider is if this is a newer fridge with auto defrost in the freezer. If so than I doubt moisture would be much of a problem. I have a VERY old fridge that tends to be rather moist since it’s a single door old school freezer that turns into a block of ice every year where you can put a case in there to start and by the end of the year you could only fit one can of beer.

Its a newer fridge, maybe around 13-14 years old.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:57 am

I say just make it out of your mdf and if you end up with a moisture problem replace it.

Post by **JimPotts** » Wed May 02, 2012 10:00 am

Are you using its built-in thermostat, or a plug-in type (like a Johnson Controls one)? That makes a huge difference. I use a plug-in one, and it defeats the fridge's methods for keeping moisture down. Meaning that I get a bunch more condensation.

-Jim

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