Cedar Rapids Brewing Society

In another post, there were discussions on how to lower the temperature gradient in keezers and to eliminate ice build up in the bottom of the keezers.

Here is the design I am pursuing. I ordered a small muffin fan and I am using a 4 inch to 3 inch PVC reducer. As you can see, the fan fits nicely in the 4 inch side. Now I will get a length of 3 inch PVC and make that the stack; I'll cut some slots out at the bottom and set us the system so that the warmer air on top is blown down to the bottom. The theory being, the warmer air and air movement at the bottom will eliminate ice and evaporate water. And the overall movement will reduce the temperature gradient between the top and bottom of the keezer.

Would anyone happen to have some scrape 3 inch PVC they would be willing to part with?

Installed, the unit would be free standing, sitting between kegs or kegs and a wall.

Thoughts?

The attached pictures are best viewed by opening them in a separate tab in your web browser.

This, in combination with a small dehumidifier could be an excellent solution! Would this fan run continuously, in conjunction with the cooling cycle of the keezer, or on a timer of some sort?


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Looks like a fine idea.

I personally just mounted mine facing down, screwed to a 4" L bracket that attaches to the back collar, and it seems to be sufficient for my needs. (picture at bottom of this album: https://goo.gl/photos/RBM1Ryatqpqk71hr8 )

My only 'upgrade desire' currently would be some kind of grid on the bottom to support the kegs up off the bottom an inch or two, so that minor spills dry up faster and don't get every keg bottom messy.

Nice set up Andrew.

Very nice Daryl, a lot cleaner looking than mine, fans in that environment should be on a GFI outlet but one separate then the keezer so you don't have a faulty trip shutting off your keezer. I have ran mine 24/7 but since then found a Christmas light timer so it's on for 30 minutes off for 30 minutes all day and works pretty well with that setup. I've noticed the compressor doesn't kick on near as much, but it is a happy median between running a fan all the time and not.

andrewmaixner wrote:Looks like a fine idea.

I personally just mounted mine facing down, screwed to a 4" L bracket that attaches to the back collar, and it seems to be sufficient for my needs. (picture at bottom of this album: https://goo.gl/photos/RBM1Ryatqpqk71hr8 )

My only 'upgrade desire' currently would be some kind of grid on the to support the kegs up off the bottom an inch or two, so that minor spills dry up faster and don't get every keg bottom messy.

Similar to mine. I know I've seen a few folks get some rubber/plastic drain mats, similar to what you would air dry bar glasses on and put those in the bottom of the keezer.

- Josh Peanasky

That's a good idea.

Or those black, hard rubber doormats that a kind of lattice work, such that over 50% of the area is exposed to the ground.

Something like that could help keep moisture/ice down to a minimum with adequate circulation.

I should have this fan installed by the weekend, I am interested to see how the ice/water situation changes, as well as having a smaller vertical temperature gradient.

I have a usb fan in mine.

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I cut a 29-inch length of 3-inch PVC pipe and drilled four 1-inch holes about an inch and a half from the bottom using a spade bit.

I then mounted the reducer on top of a 29-inch length of 3-inch PVC pipe (no glue), dropped in the fan, and plugged it in.

Within an hour I could feel the difference at the top of the keezer; it was much cooler.

Left it running over-night and checked it this morning. Things were nice and cold on top; ice in the bottom was melted; and much of the water in the bottom had evaporated.

This is an inexpensive and very easy to make keezer ventilator. I'll post a complete picture of the unit soon. And, it is super quiet. At this point I plan to run it 24/7.