DIY Fermenter — Is it a lost cause?

[MildCharisma]

Picked up a used mini fridge this morning for $40.
Two hours later I had it cleaned. Trimmed the door and was ready to bend down the freezer tray to give me the vertical clearance. Went extra slow. Thought I was being careful— then the hiss starts. Cracked the line right at the joint between the tray and the line. Blast!

I’m thinking a can JB weld the crack and recharge the system. But will it be worth the tools and materials? If I mended the crack and got a piercing valve on there, what can I expect to pay for a recharge?

Fix it or start the search over?

 

[Zymurologist]

I don't know much about appliances but if that cracked line is on the high pressure side then I doubt that JB Weld would hold.

Quick search on the web turned up this conversation, useful info near the bottom
https://www.instructables.com/community/I-accidentally-poked-small-hole-in-freezer-cooling/

 

[crazyjake19]

My opinion would be that unless you're a certified HVAC tech who can braze the line and recharge the system yourself with stuff you already have, it's not worth your time and effort for a $40 used mini fridge.

 

[odie]

trash it. get another cheap mini and use something to maintain he bend radius when folding the freezer down....and a hair dryer to warm the metal line.

 

[moreb33rplz]

I played this game last summer when I did the same thing. After looking into it I junked it and bought a chest freezer