So, I live in AZ, and it is warming up. I keep the ambient temperature of my house 85 during the day, and 80 at night (big house, and I am cheap). This is not good for beer brewing, and using the ol "tub with ice + fermenter" method, still doesn't maintain my beer at a constant temperature, even with switching out frozen water bottles twice a day.
I want to build a temperature controlled fermentation chamber/box and implement a window A/C unit. I plan to modify the thermometer on the ac unit so it will be attached to the fermenter.
Has anyone ever built something like this before? I have not yet drawn up a schematic to make this happen, but I know with a setup like this I will need some kind of one way door that will let warmer air escape from the chamber while the A/C unit is running. I do intend to make it close to airtight, and since I have never built anything like this, and I also need ideas for what kind of material I should build this out of.
I am also considering getting a fridge or a freezer and adding a temperature controller to it, but I have to weight the cost of it. I would like to build a chamber with and A/C unit, or buy a fridge with a temp controller for around $150.
I would not buy the fridge, or the A/C unit new if I was to go either way, I would hunt for a good deal on Craigslist. The nice thing about having a fermentation chamber, and building it myself, is that I can incorporate it into a closet in my home where it will be hidden from view (to keep SWMBO happy). She wouldn't be too thrilled with my Keezer AND another fridge...
Thoughts? Idea's? Input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
I want to build a temperature controlled fermentation chamber/box and implement a window A/C unit. I plan to modify the thermometer on the ac unit so it will be attached to the fermenter.
Has anyone ever built something like this before? I have not yet drawn up a schematic to make this happen, but I know with a setup like this I will need some kind of one way door that will let warmer air escape from the chamber while the A/C unit is running. I do intend to make it close to airtight, and since I have never built anything like this, and I also need ideas for what kind of material I should build this out of.
I am also considering getting a fridge or a freezer and adding a temperature controller to it, but I have to weight the cost of it. I would like to build a chamber with and A/C unit, or buy a fridge with a temp controller for around $150.
I would not buy the fridge, or the A/C unit new if I was to go either way, I would hunt for a good deal on Craigslist. The nice thing about having a fermentation chamber, and building it myself, is that I can incorporate it into a closet in my home where it will be hidden from view (to keep SWMBO happy). She wouldn't be too thrilled with my Keezer AND another fridge...
Thoughts? Idea's? Input is greatly appreciated.
Thank you!