I need a Chest Freezer for Temp Control

I got a green light from SWMBO to get a chest freezer that I can use with a Johnson controller so I can more reasonably manage my fermentation temperatures.

I need to know what my best bet on a chest freezer would be for this project. I don't need to house more than one fermenter at a time.

Ideas?

If you only need it to hold one fermenter then avoid chest freezers and just get a basic upright fridge. Way easier to put the carboy/bucket in an upright than a chest freezer IMO.

Go mini frig. I got mine for free because it only had 3 legs! Ask around the people you know, some people may not realize they want to sell something until asked.

I would love to use a mini fridge. In fact, I have two of those already and neither of them will hold a fermenter. Both of them have half shelves on the bottom.. probably where the compressor is housed. I can't set a fermenter in either of them and close the door.

Id recommend a 7 cu ft chest freezer. I can ferment 2 carboys in there at a time. Normally i only ferment one at a time but i will do 2 at a time if im using the same yeast for both or different yeasts that like the same temps.

For fermenting/cold crashing, I use two 7.2 CF Danby freezers that I purchased from Costco for 180 each. Each can hold two carboys side-by-side with plenty of room for a fan, blowoff bucket and dehumidifying setup (Damprid or Eva Dry). I also have a 14.8 CF Danby (I am a frequent Costco shopper...) that I store and serve my kegs with. I have to keep them in my living space, which means having to put up with the hum/low buzzing of the compressors when they turn on. If you are putting them in a living area, I suggest listening to the freezers before purchasing to see how loud they are. You can usually find cheap freezers on Craigslist, too, and I would recommend looking into that.

I have a Haier 5cu ft chest freezer that I scored for $50 on Craigslist. A 6.5G glass carboy with airlock fits perfectly. With a collar, they can be used to hold different configurations of Cornys and carboys if you want to go that direction. With the Johnson Controls setup, it maintains the temp within 1F. Love it.

I built a fermentation chamber out of scrap plywood I had and 2x4 culls from HD with a minifridge in the end.

JMSetzler said:

I would love to use a mini fridge. In fact, I have two of those already and neither of them will hold a fermenter. Both of them have half shelves on the bottom.. probably where the compressor is housed. I can't set a fermenter in either of them and close the door.

Click to expand...

I had the same issue. What I did was install a wire shelf above the compressor remove the shelving moulding from the door, unscrew the freezer portion and press it back against the back wall...and it will hold a 6 gal glass carboy with blowoff tube underneath the carboy. See photo. Just be creative! But alas, different minis are different dimension... I hope it inspires.

Otherwise, check out this link to a sticky about freezers and the carboys they can hold:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/chest-freezer-specs-layouts-377518/

I recently purchased this one and am using a Johnson Controller to keep my temps where I want them. If you search around you can easily find a 10% off coupon as well.

http://www.lowes.com/pd_462643-3311...pl=1&currentURL=?Ntt=chest+freezer&facetInfo=

JMSetzler said:

I would love to use a mini fridge. In fact, I have two of those already and neither of them will hold a fermenter.

Click to expand...

I have the same issue. I really need temp control and don't have a ton of room in current living situation yet am the owner of two mini-fridge's. Both unfortunately have the half shelf on the bottom which served as a drawer for whatever, so carboys etc have no chance to fit. It would've been too good to be true. I'm a big fan of the chest built around the fridge in a previous post, even if I could make one half that size it would be sweet.

http://hickory.craigslist.org/mat/4686343379.html
http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4678595157.html
http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4659664552.html
http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4686043507.html

http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4686043507.html
http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4688560965.html
http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4685410217.html
http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4662850827.html

my favorite....an apartment size fridge w/ icemaker bonus!
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/app/4652722330.html

My preferred choice would be a smallish around 10-12 cf self defrost fridge / freezer. Chest freezers can get damp and nasty in humid weather, self defrosting fridges stay dry and clean! Bonus freezer section for hop storage, and ice storage for supplemental wort cooling. Fridge is easier to load than a freezer, but will use more power.

I get around the problem of the half shelf by using half bottles. I bought 2 3 gallon Better Bottles. These are square and make more efficient use of the space. They fit easily side by side in my fridge on the bottom, even with the hump. I didn't have to take the door shelf off either, although I took off all the rods that holds things in the compartment. I can still use the fridge for cans of soda in the door dispenser. I didn't make any permanent mods.

I went to Lowes this afternoon and found a 5cf chest freezer for $169. I'll go back this weekend and pick it up. It should do the trick.

I got a 7 cf Kenmore at K-mart for 179 a few weeks ago. It fits 2 fermenters with neither on the hump. It will also fit four ball locks on the floor.

http://www.kmart.com/kenmore-7.2-cu...W004478763000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6

Scope out some local ma and pop shops around. I ended up getting a damn near brand new upright freezer for less than 200$. I can fit two carboys with blow off tubes easily, and I made a shelf in case I wanted to ferment more than 10 gal. Just saying, you might get more bang for your buck instead of buying brand new @ a major store.

I recently found a 5 cu. ft. Haier on Craigslist, bought a johnson ETC, and currently have it taking care of a weizenbock. My only problem with it is that because of the ledge inside the freezer, I can only fit one 5 gal carboy in it. You might make sure whatever one you choose will suit your fermenting needs as far as size goes. Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone modified/raised the lid on their deep freezer?

wdburns1 said:

I recently found a 5 cu. ft. Haier on Craigslist, bought a johnson ETC, and currently have it taking care of a weizenbock. My only problem with it is that because of the ledge inside the freezer, I can only fit one 5 gal carboy in it. You might make sure whatever one you choose will suit your fermenting needs as far as size goes. Not to hijack the thread, but has anyone modified/raised the lid on their deep freezer?

Click to expand...

Not me, but yes.
https://www.google.com/search?q=kee...a=X&ei=2F8rVIXxN8X4yQTw04KoCQ&ved=0CAcQ_AUoAg

JMSetzler said:

I went to Lowes this afternoon and found a 5cf chest freezer for $169. I'll go back this weekend and pick it up. It should do the trick.

Click to expand...

http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4688560965.html

offer $40
Just sayin...5 cf freezers are a dime a dozen round here...

small fridge...
http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4626812157.html

wilserbrewer said:

http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4688560965.html

offer $40
Just sayin...5 cf freezers are a dime a dozen round here...

small fridge...
http://hickory.craigslist.org/app/4626812157.html

Click to expand...

Just sent a request to the owner of the freezer...

I recently bought a Haier 7.1cf from Sams Club for about $200. All the freezers on CL looked pretty ratty and the SWMBO more easily tolerates a new clean freezer. Two 6 gallon carboys fit comfortably. Also save money and forgo the Johnson controller. Rig up your own controller with an STC1000 and a project box. Works great on mine. Happier yeast in the future and cold crashing is now feasible. Loving it

Gavin C said:

I recently bought a Haier 7.1cf from Sams Club for about $200. All the freezers on CL looked pretty ratty and the SWMBO more easily tolerates a new clean freezer. Two 6 gallon carboys fit comfortably. Also save money and forgo the Johnson controller. Rig up your own controller with an STC1000 and a project box. Works great on mine. Happier yeast in the future and cold crashing is now feasible. Loving it

Click to expand...

I'll probably be in the same boat. SWMBO won't like the ratty looking used one. I did inquire about the $50 one though to see if I get a response. The brand I looked at today at Lowes was "Idylis". They had a 5cf model for $169 and a 7cf model for $189. I think the 5cf will work fine for me. I'm rarely fermenting two beers at once. I also don't have a good place for the larger size.

As luck would have it, I won't have to buy a temp controller.. I have this:

DorkFood DSV

I was provided with that a while back to do a demo/review and a couple cooking videos using it.

The DSV compared with other temp controllers homebrewers are using is a bit expensive at $99, but I think it should do the trick for this project.

Gavin C said:

All the freezers on CL looked pretty ratty and the SWMBO more easily tolerates a new clean freezer.

Click to expand...

!

Yes, this can be true! Several types of sellers on Craigslist...some have retail on the brain, others the primary mission is to get it gone, with price secondary.
C'list is like fishing, some trophies, mostly throwbacks. Even though my brewery is in the basement, I'm too old, and have worked way too hard to be hauling ratty $hit across town. I hear ya on the swmbo, my ex wanted approval when I changed my socks, my girlfriend practically changes them for me...cheers and best of luck with the project. You'll be pleased with temp control and cold crashing!