How many of you use a fermentation fridge?
 

I think I'm going to cave in and buy a Sanyo 4912 with an external thermostat to ferment in, the temperature just varies too much here in Texas and it's too hot 90% of the year. I've been looking on craigslist and such trying to find a used fridge and even debated about making a fermentation chamber I see so many people using on the net, but I'm looking for a set it and forget it solution. I don't want to have to change ice bottles, replace water, or any of that, just something simple. Plus I can always revert to using the fridge as an actual fridge for my beer when I'm not fermenting. I figure if I'm going to be serious about brewing, I need something to maintain good fermentation temperatures. So my question is... do most of you all use a fridge, freezer, home made contraption, leave it at room temp., or what?

No, the 4912 will only fit one carboy at a time and will run you about $200. For $200 you can get a chest freezer that will fit 3, maybe even 4 carboys. I was cheap and got a small chest freezer for $140. It can only fit one carboy, and I wish I'd dropped a little more on a slightly larger one, but what can you do?

The only reason to get a 4912 is if you anticipate converting it to a kegerator some time in the future. And in that case...you'll want to buy another freezer/fridge to ferment in anyway.

I use an analog Johnson temp controller from MoreBeer for the freezer, runs about $50. With that contraption, you can also use the freeser as a fridge when there's no beer in it...

I live just south of you in Dickinson, and I think a fermentation fridge or freezer is a must in our area. Otherwise our brewing window of opportunity is only really the second half of december and all of January. It was about 80 the other day, and I am so happy that I have a fermentation chest freezer.

Yeah, there's no need to go small with the fermentation chamber. You may or may not need to build a collar for the chest freezer, but that's definately the better way to go for this than the 4912.

What about a freezer like this? 7.2 cu ft...

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100586222&N=10000003+9 0401+503559

depending on the internal dimensions it may hold anywhere from 1-6 carboys. your best bet is to trace a carboy on cardboard and cut it out and bring it with you to the store to see how many you can cram in there.

i would keep an eye on craigslist and look for a deal on a used one.

I don't anticipate ever having more than 1 batch fermenting at a time. I don't have a lot of friends that like anything other than light beer so it's going to be mostly me drinking it.

I have the 4912, it only fits one 5gal carboy. The only reason I bought it is because it was $100 at costco, and I don't have the space for a chest freezer.

Famous last words.... ;)

My thoughts exactly....5 carboys full right now, and I had that same misconception just a few months ago.