[Saccharomyces]

With the warm weather that we have enjoyed lately, I realized that I was going to need something better than an Immersion Pro I want to continue to ferment in my garage during the warm months.   I have been looking for a deal on a used large wine refrigerator for a while, but none have appeared, so I started looking at 5 cu. ft. chest freezers a few days ago.  Best Buy has their Insignia brand 5 cu. ft. chest freezer on sale for $124.99.  That is dirt cheap for a new freezer.  The freezer cost me $132.49 with tax.  Plus, it is light enough for one person to lift.

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-5-0-cu-ft-chest-freezer-white/6385028.p?skuId=6385028

[BrewBama]

I use the old fridge I bought used as a newlywed 30 yrs ago. I know it will die some day (soon?) and have been looking at various options. I like the small wine fridges with glass front but so do the manufacturers ($$$).


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[Saccharomyces]

I like the small wine fridges with glass front but so do the manufacturers ($$$).

That is what I used for my fermentation chamber in my last brew house. It was a large Haier wine refrigerator that I picked up locally for $50.00.  The built-in non-digital thermostat was of little use, so I bypassed it with a jumper wire and controlled the unit with a Johnson Controls A419.  I started looking for a used large wine refrigerator last summer and finally gave up.  I am not paying $500 for the same basic refrigeration unit that sells with a different interior and door for half of that price.  At that price point, I will spend extra and go glycol.

[tommymorris]

I ferment in a 5 cu. ft. chest freezer controlled with a Johnson A419 controller.

One problem is putting the FV into and out of the freezer. The best solution I have found is fermenting in plastic pales because they have a handle that makes it easy to lift with my arm and shoulder rather than bending over and using the lower back.

PS. I brew 3 gallon batches. So, they are lighter than 5 gallons.

[Andy Farke]

I ferment in a 5 cu. ft. chest freezer controlled with a Johnson A419 controller.

One problem is putting the FV into and out of the freezer. The best solution I have found is fermenting in plastic pales because they have a handle that makes it easy to lift with my arm and shoulder rather than bending over and using the lower back.

PS. I brew 3 gallon batches. So, they are lighter than 5 gallons.

Getting the fermenter in and out of the freezer is probably the biggest downside for me...I used carboy netting products (the straps that slide around the whole carboy) back when I was using glass carboys, and those helped a lot. I've switched to stainless steel now, which at least have handles near the top. Still not the easiest!

[Saccharomyces]

One problem is putting the FV into and out of the freezer. The best solution I have found is fermenting in plastic pales because they have a handle that makes it easy to lift with my arm and shoulder rather than bending over and using the lower back.

That is what made me hesitant to use a freezer for a fermentation chamber, but the prices for new wine refrigerators that are a large enough to hold fermentation vessel are ridiculous compared compared to same-size all-refrigerator refrigerators.  The advantage that wine refrigerators have over all-refrigerator refrigerators is that one does not need to perform surgery on the door.  A lot of wine refrigerators also have curved doors.  In my humble opinion, the best choice for a refrigerator-based fermentation chamber is the Edgestar BR2001 conversion refrigerator.   Wayfair usually sells the black version of this refrigerator under $320.00.

[beersk]

One problem is putting the FV into and out of the freezer. The best solution I have found is fermenting in plastic pales because they have a handle that makes it easy to lift with my arm and shoulder rather than bending over and using the lower back.

That is what made me hesitant to use a freezer for a fermentation chamber, but the prices for new wine refrigerators that are a large enough to hold fermentation vessel are ridiculous compared compared to same-size all-refrigerator refrigerators.  The advantage that wine refrigerators have over all-refrigerator refrigerators is that one does not need to perform surgery on the door.  A lot of wine refrigerators also have curved doors.  In my humble opinion, the best choice for a refrigerator-based fermentation chamber is the Edgestar BR2001 conversion refrigerator.   Wayfair usually sells the black version of this refrigerator under $320.00.

The Edgestar, I think, is what I have. It's a kegerator conversion they sell at Walmart or something like that. Cheap, but I spent more on it that I'd like to, even if I bought it used. Still works for sticking an SS Brewtech brew bucket in there. A friend of mine has two 5 cu ft chest freezers for fermenting. I think he often complains about lifting his brew bucket in and out of the freezer.
But, Mark, you're brewing 3 gallon batches, right? Shouldn't be a problem in that case.

[4dogbrewer]

Look for a free fridge. Mine died 2 months ago and when I checked new fridges to replace it, nope, not happening. I waited it out and I did find one. My 14 gallon conical fits easily in it. Yea, it is mostly likely 20 years old or more, but they built them pretty good back then.

[MNWayne]

I built a super-insulated fermentation chamber for my fermenter. I converted a used $5 window air conditioner into a glycol chiller.  All on the cheap.  The ss conical with cooling coil was pricey, but the entire system works like a dream.

[beersk]

I built a super-insulated fermentation chamber for my fermenter. I converted a used $5 window air conditioner into a glycol chiller.  All on the cheap.  The ss conical with cooling coil was pricey, but the entire system works like a dream.

Having that kind of technical knowledge definitely pays off. I certainly don't have that kind of knowledge.

[BrewBama]

I built a super-insulated fermentation chamber for my fermenter. I converted a used $5 window air conditioner into a glycol chiller.  All on the cheap.  The ss conical with cooling coil was pricey, but the entire system works like a dream.

Have you considered posting your build instructions or links to the processes you used so others can build something similar?


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[ynotbrusum]

I installed a rachet hoist suspended from the ceiling to lift the fermenter into the chest freezer and it works pretty well for my 10 gallon batches in a Kegmenter (my chest freezer is set atop a set of dollies to roll around easier).  But most recently I have gone to a small dorm fridge, immersible DC pump with a glycol reservoir and the wrap style cooling jacket.  It works really well, even in summer conditions.  I had the fridge and wasn't using it, so I thought I would try to put it to good use. 

http://www.gotta-brew.com/products/cool-zone-cooling-jacket.html