amwarrior15

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I'm interested in getting a chest freezer for fermenting ales in the summer. I've looked around here but was wondering if anyone could lead me into the right size chest freezer to look for (looking to fit 2 6.5 gallon buckets in there at the same time).

And I'm also having trouble deciding what type of temp control device I should get. Would just a regular refrigerator/freezer thermostat work? Or would I be better off with one of the Johnson or other brand temperature controllers that I've seen on here?

I'm new to this and am having a little trouble in deciding actually what I should get so I would appreciate any help. Thanks!

OHIOSTEVE

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The ebay temp controllers are cheap as can be and really work well. They do however have to be wired but the instructions are on here and they are EASY.... As far as the freezer, buy what you can find on craigslist that you have room for...You THINK you only want 2 carboys but the extra room will be handy. Easy to have empty space ,hard to stuff 5 carboys into a 2 carboy feezer. Mine is from craigslist, I paid 25 bucks for it...will hold 14 corny kegs I think.

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Fid

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Just make sure you get a reliable temperature controller. Granted, the photo below was due to user error... but, you don't want to open your freezer to find this:

Heres the thread.

ChaosStout

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I believe mine is a 9 cubic foot Chest freezer. That will hold 2 bucket and a 3 gallon up on the ledge . Also get a digital temp controller not one with a crappy dial. I like the johnson(what I have) Its spendy but worth it

amwarrior15

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I'll be on the look out for a 9 or more cf freezer. Which digital temp controller do you recommend? I plan on fermenting with the chest freezer outside in a shed which can get pretty hot because I don't have enough room in the house.

Fid

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I've got the Johnson Controls A19AAT-2C hooked up to my kegerator and it works well. I've never used it as a fermentation chamber though so I guess I can't speak to how easy it is to accurately dial temps up and down.

Challenger440

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I would go for as big as you can fit/afford. It's nice to be able to expand production at will

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Primary #1: BM's Centennial Blonde
Primary #2: "German Slut Beer"-Wife (Hoegaarden Clone)
Keg #1: Citra Pale Ale
Keg #2: Graff
Keg #3: Denny Conn's Bourbon Vanilla Porter
Keg #4: Simtennial Pale Ale
Bottled: Apfelwein, Scottish 60/-, House Stout
On Deck: Oatmeal Stout

amwarrior15

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One last question. Since the temperature in the bucket will be higher than the actual temperature of the freezer what temperature should I set the temp controller at?

cadarnell

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Learntobrew.com has the best deals delivered on the Johnson controls ...... I have a 5 cf chest freezers with a 6 in high collar that holds to buckets with some room to spare ... without the collar it would only hold one

Fid

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Alot of people will tape the temperature probe to the side of their carboy/bucket. The idea is that you're getting a more accurate reading of what the temp of your fermentation is rather than the ambient air temp of the ferm chamber.