I thought some folks would get a kick out of this.
My 1st chamber was a chest freezer, but it went TU. So, I was considering my next move for a chamber...I didn't want to buy another used chest freezer and have it fail...and I surely didn't want to buy a new one. So I considered building a "closet" out of wood and using a refrigeration unit from a vending machine. I work for a "Large Beverage Company" and vending machines get sent to the scrap yard after a certain age....so I have certain perks when it comes to equipment such as this. Then it came to me....why build something from scratch when a complete vending machine has everything I need...
It's sealed, secure, insulated and has a refrigeration unit that is replaceable without brazing if it fails.... I can just remove it, and put in another one...So...I saved a vendor from the metal grave yard and gave it a new home!!
I removed the vend stack and installed some brackets, wood shelves....put in a ranco temp controller and.....that's it....my new fermentation chamber was born. As you can see from the pics, I can fit quite a lot in there. I have been using it for 2 years and it has worked wonderfully. I run the refrigeration unit in the summer, and power a 100 watt light bulb in the winter.
I know that not everyone will want...or have access too...a large vending machine...but if you do, it is a great way to ferment or age your beer.
I still plan to dress it up with some plywood...and get rid of the graphics....obviously I smudged up the pic to hide the brand...but I'm sure I didn't fool everyone. :cross:
Enjoy!
My 1st chamber was a chest freezer, but it went TU. So, I was considering my next move for a chamber...I didn't want to buy another used chest freezer and have it fail...and I surely didn't want to buy a new one. So I considered building a "closet" out of wood and using a refrigeration unit from a vending machine. I work for a "Large Beverage Company" and vending machines get sent to the scrap yard after a certain age....so I have certain perks when it comes to equipment such as this. Then it came to me....why build something from scratch when a complete vending machine has everything I need...
It's sealed, secure, insulated and has a refrigeration unit that is replaceable without brazing if it fails.... I can just remove it, and put in another one...So...I saved a vendor from the metal grave yard and gave it a new home!!
I removed the vend stack and installed some brackets, wood shelves....put in a ranco temp controller and.....that's it....my new fermentation chamber was born. As you can see from the pics, I can fit quite a lot in there. I have been using it for 2 years and it has worked wonderfully. I run the refrigeration unit in the summer, and power a 100 watt light bulb in the winter.
I know that not everyone will want...or have access too...a large vending machine...but if you do, it is a great way to ferment or age your beer.
I still plan to dress it up with some plywood...and get rid of the graphics....obviously I smudged up the pic to hide the brand...but I'm sure I didn't fool everyone. :cross:
Enjoy!