Fermentation Chamber / Kegerator / Kitchen Table

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bstux

Active Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2011
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Charlotte
Most current picture.
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Originally I started with a dorm refrigerator that I wanted to fit a carboy in, so I could ferment a lager. After changing my mind may times it snowballed into what it is now. I have been working on building an insulated cabinet that is big enough to hold multiple cornies(4-5), a carboy and some bottled beer. I added a tap box, and a lip to make it useful as a kitchen table. Also I plan on using the guts from the original mini-frige to keep it cold.

In case the pictures don't show
1) "dismantling" the refrigerator
2) frame
3) frame
4) frame & refrigerator guts
5) frame & refrigerator guts

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Yep I cut myself twice on that metal flashing/tape before I had the epiphany to put on gloves.

the sad part.. I put gloves on while working with it and didnt cut myself, but I left it sitting in the garage for a week or two before taking it to the dump and sliced my leg wide open walking by it.... left a pretty wicked scar
 
Just a progress update after finishing the trim on the top section.

1) Full view of the build so far.
2) Closer view of tap box and shelves.
3) Closer view of trim on tap box.
4) View from above, the set in space will be filled with my collection of bottle caps and covered with resin.
5) Trim on the underside of the lip.

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how well do the refrigerator parts work with the larger volume? is there a point where they can't keep up or does it just take longer to cool things down?
 
Looking good!

I wish I was more handy, this is the exact sort of thing I want to do, I just dont think I have the skills to handle it (and have it come out looking like something I would actually be allowed to keep in the house)
 
Looking great man! Let me know how the dorm fridge compressor holds up on keeping that much cubic volume cold. I already have a nice keezer for dispensing, but was considering an oversized fermentation chamber as another project. I have an old Absocold dorm fridge that I was going to cannibalize like you did for your build for cooling an oversized fermentation cabinet for lagering. I was warned by a few people that if the cubic volume of space was too large, despite how well it is sealed/insulated, that the compressor would run non-stop and burn out. I'm curious how yours holds up with cooling the chamber and the coffin on your masterpiece. Keep us posted! :mug:
 
Absolutely the best looking home built I have seen. A little stain and some insulation on the inside and it should be able to maintain fermenting temps pretty good. I am not sure if the mini fridge will keep up with the cooling for draft but let us know how it does. That is a good bit of volume to cool.
Bob
 
I wish I was more handy, this is the exact sort of thing I want to do, I just dont think I have the skills to handle it (and have it come out looking like something I would actually be allowed to keep in the house)

Luckily I started this as one set of roommates was moving out, meaning they didn't care what I did. So, the new roommates moving in was contingent upon me leaving this in the living room. That and when this is done I think I could wind an award for best college apartment. :ban:

I was warned by a few people that if the cubic volume of space was too large, despite how well it is sealed/insulated, that the compressor would run non-stop and burn out. I'm curious how yours holds up with cooling the chamber and the coffin on your masterpiece. Keep us posted! :mug:

Yep I have heard the same, but I already had the refrigerator that I "burrowed" from my sister. Seeing as I am a perpetually broke(self induced because of my hobby) college student I tried to use what I had around. That being said my plan is to effectively double the insulation compared to the original. If that doesn't work I might ask to "burrow" my sister old a/c unit. I specifically left the back open in the event that the compress does go bad so it can be easily removed and replaced.
P.S. I think your keezer was the inspiration for my shelves, so thanks for that.

Absolutely the best looking home built I have seen. A little stain and some insulation on the inside and it should be able to maintain fermenting temps pretty good.

Thanks! Yea I did this with a skill saw, drill and everything else is hand tools. Knowing I would mess up some things, I tried to plan for screw ups so they could be covered with trim.

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Just another update of my progress now that the top is stained. Sorry for the lighting and picture quality.

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Just another progress update.
1. Holes for shanks
2. Shanks inserted.
3. Shanks on the inside of the tap box
4. With faucets
5. Stepping back to enjoy the view.

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I purchased my shanks from ritebrew.com. The stainless steel flange is sold separately, but I emailed them and they created a new product so that you can upgrade from black plastic to stainless steel for $1.00! The tap handles and faucets I bought from ebay. The faucets are 2 Ventmatics(were sold as perlick 425, but has Ventmatic stamped on it) 1 perlick 425 and a Guinness stout faucet.

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What are the dimensions of the box with your taps?
I like the shelf idea, I'm going to have to use that for mine!

I like the way this thing looks, you're doing a great job.

:mug:
 
Like the nitrogen setup...
Thanks, it will be awhile until I get a secondary tank for nitrogen/carbon dioxide(might try to use argon/carbon dioxide mix). However I got a good deal on it, it looks cool and we know it's all about looking cool.:cool:




What are the dimensions of the box with your taps?
I like the shelf idea, I'm going to have to use that for mine!

I like the way this thing looks, you're doing a great job.

:mug:


height: 14" from the bottom of the drip tray to the top.
Useable space:14"-1"(drip tray) - 7/8"(trim)=12 1/8"

width: 16" from end to end 13 3/4" drip tray.
useable space: 16"- 2[7/8" (trim)] an important note is that when I planed the box I forgot to account for the thickness of the insulation inside.

depth: not sure I think it is 16" I just wanted enough space for a gradual bend in the beer line on the inside.

The taps are 4" apart on center with a 2" diameter flange and a 2" gap between the edges of adjacent flanges. So, in the future if I need I could add three more taps in the gaps between the current faucets raised up an inch or two.

I would like to take credit for the shelf idea, but it came from trolling these forum threads. (Will post link here once I find it)
 
Inside seams sealed with calk.
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Adding in foam board. Mostly three layers of 3/4" R 4.0 all around.
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Weather stripping foam on the back of the doors to make the seal.
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cyberbackpacker said:
How many cornies will this hold?

I'm not entirely sure, but I'll check and update this post. For now here is a picture to give an idea of scale with a 5# CO2 cylinder and two ball lock cornies.
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A long overdue update.
1&2)Back access on the tap box.
3-5) Framing in around the compressor.

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1&2) Test fitting the the compressor framing. The heat exchange coil is tied for the test fit.
3) A messy job with "great stuff" sealing the gaps. I used the window and door kind, as it says flexible and wouldn't push the panels off square.
4) The heat exchange coil is now tacked on with chicken coop nails.
5) A close up view of the chicken coop nail around the heat exchange coil.

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I did a preliminary test for one hour using a digital thermometer placed on the compressor box. Although some small gaps were not sealed yet, I was able to drop the internal temperature from 64°F to 41°F. That is 23°F over one hour or a drop of 0.38°F/min.! :mug:
 
I did a preliminary test for one hour using a digital thermometer placed on the compressor box. Although some small gaps were not sealed yet, I was able to drop the internal temperature from 64°F to 41°F. That is 23°F over one hour or a drop of 0.38°F/min.! :mug:

Wow those are pretty good numbers. Kegs that are nice and cold the only way it should be!
 
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