Wine fridge for fementation chamber

bf514921 · Post by **bf514921** » Fri Nov 29, 2013 9:28 am

I am looking at way to reduce my footprint for the fermentation vessels. I currently have 2 fridges and a freezer. I am looking at one of these to use as a fermentation chamber.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Whynter-28-B ... pisUW7na00

I don't intend to use it for lagering or even trying, I have and can build temp controllers no problem. I intend to put my 6.5 gallon carboy in it.

questions
1. Does anyone currently use something like this, and it so what model size do you use.

2. what are the downfalls, does it hold temperature well?

3.would you go bigger, smaller?
reading the specifications on this one, it look like it should fit my 6.5 gallon carboy.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Sun Dec 01, 2013 8:28 pm

I always thought that would be cool for a conical. Check out reviews to make sure the fridge is not junk. Some cheaper wine fridges don't work for long.

I think John E looked in to these years ago. Not sure if he ever tried one. I think Randy had one for a fermenter fridge. Her was using 3 gallon better bottles.

carrisr · Post by **carrisr** » Mon Dec 02, 2013 8:41 am

Yes, I have a small one (Danby brand) for my fermentation fridge. The thermostat was crap from the very beginning, running around 10 degrees too warm. I built a temp controller for it and disconnected the built in thermostat. Been working great that way for 3 years. You wouldn't be able to fit a 5 gallon carboy in it though without building a collar for it.

On 12/01/2013 08:28 PM, Matt F wrote:

I always thought that would be cool for a conical. Check out reviews to make sure the fridge is not junk. Some cheaper wine fridges don't work for long.

I think John E looked in to these years ago. Not sure if he ever tried one. I think Randy had one for a fermenter fridge. Her was using 3 gallon better bottles.

Matt Franklin
Slappy Brewing North

On Tap:
Savannah Stout (oatmeal, coffee and chocolate)
Funk You Very Much Sour Brown
True Blood Type A-mber Ale

Post generated using Mail2Forum (http://www.mail2forum.com)

bf514921 · Post by **bf514921** » Tue Dec 03, 2013 6:29 pm

kinda where I am heading, I am on the list for a brew bucket, I would also like to size my stuff differently I have 2 fridges and a freezer right now, looking to down size the freezer to a just big enough fermentation chanber, with a window so I can look at the shiny brew brew buckert
http://www.ssbrewtech.com/products/brewbucket

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 9:03 am

Let me know when you get a brew bucket. I want to check it out. Thinking about getting a couple of them.

Steven P · Post by **Steven P** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 12:39 pm

The brew bucket situation may take a while. It's all random selection at this point as to who gets one when they have stock in house. I plan on getting two but it might be a while before I get chosen.

Matt F · Post by **Matt F** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 2:49 pm

I am a patient man. I would like to see their pricing on their larger planned chronical too. Stout has one I want but I would like to see if they come in any lower than Stout on price. I am in no hurry.

bf514921 · Post by **bf514921** » Wed Dec 04, 2013 8:17 pm

I have enough funds in the equipment budget right now for the brew bucket and some other upgrades to the brewery. so far one should be enough, and bets of all its not glass

bf514921 · Post by **bf514921** » Thu Dec 26, 2013 6:06 pm

well, bit the bullet and have one of these on the way. the 12.6 inch depth is a little hairy, but other than that the size is good.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0414653522

for the price shipped i couldn't beat it. if all goes well my 6.5 gallon carboy will fit nicely.

Steven P · Post by **Steven P** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 10:38 am

Brandon post a pic of the carboy inside if you can. the brew bucket does not appear to fit. Which kind of blows.

Wine fridge Internal dimension : 13.4" (width) x 12.6 (depth) x 27.8 (height)

Brew Bucket 21" H x 13" W product dimensions

bf514921 · Post by **bf514921** » Mon Dec 30, 2013 8:50 pm

yeah will do, i did a ton of searching i found one thread with pics that suggest a different fridge, but it didnt have the glass door. the fridge should be here firday.

bf514921 · Post by **bf514921** » Fri Jan 03, 2014 10:03 pm

Got the fridge the 6.5 gallon carboy fits, the ale pale fits, depending on the brew bucket 13 diameter, it might fit, once I get the pictures resized I will get them uploaded, but for 186 shipped to my door its pretty cool so far.

bf514921 · Post by **bf514921** » Sat Jan 04, 2014 6:12 pm

i will be finding out if the brew bucket fits, I got in on the pre order tonight. it may fit, if it does, hello shiny stainless in glass door fermentation chamber

bf514921 · Post by **bf514921** » Sun Jan 05, 2014 3:53 pm

update - the chiller will hold 20-25 degrees off ambient, so right now in my basement, it works for lagering fermentation, it wont wrk for lagering storage but i wasnt planning on it. The temp control in it is a little sketchy so i have one of my temp controllers on it. when my brew bucket shows up i will absolutly try it. Also you get a little more room with the door and door seal, it might be up to 13 inched the height is awesome, my 6.5 gallon airlock and all fits. i think i got the pics sized better, i included a pick of all the model stuff. i am pretty stoked, even if this only works for ales, its actually a nice looking fridge, my wife might even let it in the nice part of the basement.