If you really want to make lagers you are going to need a dedicated refrigerator. I use a minifridge from craigslist which works alright. I think I got it for like $30. The temperature controller is still going to run you ~$50 though. I've been thinking that you could probably get away without the temperature controller if you knew what the arbitrarily numbered settings on the built in thermostat correspond to. I feel like if you can find 48-55 F, and 35-40 F, you really don't need precise control. Plus, the temperature controller I have is usually about 3-5 F off off the temperature inside my fridgge anyway.