Home Brew Forums > Home Brewing Beer > General Beer Discussion > Anyone using a chest freezer to store their beer? Temp control?




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 01-18-2008, 09:15 PM   #1
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
NitrouStang96's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 591
Liked 2 Times on 2 Posts

Default Anyone using a chest freezer to store their beer? Temp control?

A mini-fridge isn't quite right for me, and I don't currently have space for a whole new fridge. I'm hoping a chest freezer has enough control to actually pull it above freezing temps and let me store my beer in it as if it were a fridge. Anyone else doing this or know if it is possible?

I also like the idea of getting a full size fridge in the future and using this chest freezer for kegging/beer on tap.


NitrouStang96 is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 01-18-2008, 09:22 PM   #2
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
ColoradoXJ13's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,269
Liked 7 Times on 4 Posts

Default

search temperature controllers...Johnson and Ranco


ColoradoXJ13 is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 01-18-2008, 10:15 PM   #3
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
NitrouStang96's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 591
Liked 2 Times on 2 Posts

Default

No thanks, I'm just wondering if a chest freezer can be go above 32F with its stock controller and no additional expense.
NitrouStang96 is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 01-18-2008, 10:20 PM   #4
Sea
Green Flash IPA on tap
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
Sea's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 1,510
Liked 5 Times on 5 Posts

Default

Don't think so, but it probably depends on the model what the high temp setting is.
__________________
I plan on living forever. So far, so good! - unknown.


Corrupt Brewers
Sea is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 01-18-2008, 10:21 PM   #5
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: QCA, Iowa
Posts: 959
Liked 4 Times on 4 Posts

Default

some might be able to, but you can pick up Johnson controllers for ~$25 on ebay, much better option IMHO.

Are you talking about just storing beer for serving? That's all the stock controller would be good for, it allows too much variation for anything else.
Scimmia is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 01-18-2008, 10:51 PM   #6
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
Nyxator's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Tempe, Arizona
Posts: 204
Liked 1 Times on 1 Posts

Default

Yeah, I have two chest freezers, one for fermentation and one for my kegs. I needed temp controllers for both.
__________________
Haiku are easy
But sometimes they don't make sense
Refrigerator
Nyxator is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 01-18-2008, 11:53 PM   #7
Vendor and Brewer
Vendor Ads 
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
Bobby_M's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Piscataway, NJ
Posts: 20,657
Liked 459 Times on 324 Posts
Likes Given: 8

Default

No, chest freezers are designed to run even colder than a standard freezer on a combo unit. The stock thermo on mine only went as warm as 20ºF.
__________________
BrewHardware.com
Sightglass, Refractometer, Ball Valve, Weldless bulkhead, Thermometer, Decals, Stainless Steel Fittings, Compression Fittings, Camlock Quick Disconnects, Scale, RIMS tube, Plate Chiller, Chugger Pump, Super Clear Silicone Tubing, and more!
Bobby_M is online now
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 01-19-2008, 12:04 AM   #8
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
rabidgerbil's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 988
Liked 4 Times on 4 Posts
Likes Given: 1

Default

I picked up one of these http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/B000E7NYY8/ref=nosim/103-6896765-2321445?SubscriptionId=09FVDRT8TEJ64C2A7Y02 at my local hardware store for about $25, and use it to control my freezer, and it works perfect.
__________________
Quote:
Originally Posted by bigjohnmilford
+1 don't argue with a rabid gerbil
What I do on the side for brewing money
My LHBS
rabidgerbil is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 01-19-2008, 12:39 AM   #9
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
Brew-boy's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Lapeer, Michigan
Posts: 2,388
Liked 10 Times on 9 Posts
Likes Given: 9

Default

I use a chest freezer to store and serve my tasty brew.

[IMG][/IMG]
__________________
Next:Smoked Pilsner.
Primary:Belgian Red, American Stout w/Roeselare
On Tap:Pale Ale, English Bitter
Aging: Imperial Oatmeal Stout on Vanilla beans.

I rather owe you a dollar than cheat you out of it.."Dad"

http://lapeerareabrewers.com/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LapeerAreaBrewers/
Brew-boy is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Old 01-19-2008, 03:50 AM   #10
Feedback Score: 0 reviews
 
malkore's Avatar
Recipes 
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 6,922
Liked 24 Times on 23 Posts
Likes Given: 9

Default

I use a freezer. get a controller. the only other way you could do it is with a household timer, lots of experimenting, and only sub-standard results at maintaining a stable temp.

even if you don't look hard, you can get a controller for $30-$40...its worth it.


__________________
Malkore
Primary: English Mild
On tap: Pale Ale, Lancelot's Wheat, English Brown Ale, Steam Beer, HoovNuts IPA
Bottled: MOAM, Braggot, Raspberry Melomel, Merlot, Apfelwein, Pyment, Sweet mead, Cabernet
Gal in 2009: 27, Gal in 2010: 34, Gal in 2011: 13, Gal in 2012: 10
malkore is offline
 
Reply With Quote Quick reply to this message
Reply

Quick Reply
Message:
Options
Thread Tools
Display Modes


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Extgernal Temp Control - temp in Freezer? ipscman Equipment/Sanitation 6 12-13-2012 01:48 AM
Chest Freezer with Electronic Temp Control? Brewpenguin Equipment/Sanitation 2 06-17-2009 05:23 PM
Temp controler for a freezer chest. dirtymike1 DIY Projects 2 06-03-2008 10:16 PM
Best temp controller for my chest freezer Hermish Equipment/Sanitation 5 05-20-2008 01:50 AM
deep freeze chest and temp control malkore Bottling/Kegging 12 06-29-2007 01:08 PM



FOLLOW US ON