My Fermentation Chamber

zman · 06-29-2009, 03:35 AM

I converted a Haier 5.2 cu ft fridge to a fermentation chamber. I am using an analog Johnson Controller and it seems to work really well. Tomorrow night will be the real test when I ferment my first brew in it.

JMSetzler · 06-29-2009, 03:53 AM

How about a brief explanation on how this works... I have never looked into fermentation chambers of any kind. All I know is that a regular refrigerator wont' let you set it warm enough. What kind of 'controller' is involved and how does it work?

zman · 06-29-2009, 04:07 AM

I have a Johnson analog temp controller: NORTHERN BREWER: Fermentation Temperature Control. I plug the fridge plug into the temp controller, the controller into your outlet and set the dial to the desired temp. You set the fridge to its lowest setting and the temp controller overrides the fridge. Presently it is holding a couple sixers of homebrew at a comfortable 36 degrees.

JMSetzler · 06-29-2009, 04:23 AM

Will that fridge in your photo hold buckets and/or carboys?

zman · 06-29-2009, 06:02 AM

It holds a 6gal. carboy and a 5gal bucket.

LTS · 06-29-2009, 03:53 PM

Any chance you can post a picture of it with the bucket and carboy in there? I am looking to put something together real quick.

Thanks!

zman · 06-29-2009, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LTS

Any chance you can post a picture of it with the bucket and carboy in there? I am looking to put something together real quick.

Thanks!

I can do it tonight

zman · 06-30-2009, 07:07 AM

Here it is on its maiden voyage

LTS · 06-30-2009, 01:58 PM

Cool. I am trying to build something that will hold 2-4 carboys. Build or buy I guess. Right now I have two primaries running my porter but this Friday I am planning to rack it to secondary and then pitch a Buckwheat Honey Black Ale on top of the yeast. The problem is that I need to control temps on two 6.5 gallon and two 5 gallon carboys. At the moment I am using my keg system freezer to control the temps but of course once I have my kegs back in there that will be a problem!

Everyone in my area is selling upright freezers.. (jerks!) or 5.5cu. chest freezers. Sigh. I like your setup and I could build an additional chamber on the front. but probably not enough to get all of what I want. Your beer looks happy!

zman · 06-30-2009, 04:56 PM

I have seen people extend a mini fridge like mine with the use of insulation board. I contemplated getting something bigger but I am going to be moving in the next few months so I thought smaller is better for now. Why can't you use an upright freezer? Not enough room? I do a batch every other two weeks, have no AC in the house, but I do have a basement. I do 7-10 days in the fridge then bring it down to the basement. It is a good rotation schedule for now.

We will see how happy the beer is tonight when I get home. ( if she is bubbling away or not)