3.5cu ft freezer for fermentation chamber?

[Arminius757]

So is the idea to insulate off part of the freezer for the fermenter (Fv)?

I can see this working post-fermentation when the Fv temp drops and the R-Pi can warm it back up, but during fermentation I would envision there would be a significant lag as there is Fv is generating heat that cannot be equalized by the cold air because of the insulation.

One way to get around this would be to not insulate the Fv during active fermentation or use another control to activate a shunt in the insulation to allow cold air to circulate in the insulate around the Fv

I dont plan to totally isolate the fermenter. It will be wrapped in some light insulation with the heating pad against the surface of the bucket. It will sit ontop of a small block of insulation so that the bottom can be a bit isolated from the cold floor, and I will probably add some to the top as well. This way the majority of the heat transfer will be through the side walls of the bucket, directly into the beer itself. So the heating pad will be large enough to wrap completely around the fermenter. It provides a nice, genital heat and I have been using it for some time now as my heat source with good results. I do plan to put a small fan in there as well which will act as the "cold" side of the Pi.

 

[PADave]

I use on the the Magic Chef 5.2 freezers. Works so far. I have a feeling all the cheep ones are made by the same company, kind of like lawn mowers. Using an Inkbird controller, no heat source, and it works great. One thing you'll want if you don't already have is something to absorb moisture. Got one of these, been using it for months and haven't had to plug in yet.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0XFD2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Epos7]

Thanks for the suggestion Dave. I turned the freezer on last night to verify that it works (it does) and noticed some condensation build up so I think that's something I'll have to address, despite living in a fairly dry climate.

I'm able to fit a 5 gallon and a 6 gallon carboy in the freezer, both with covers from carboy.net. It's tight, but they fit almost perfectly. I don't think I'd be able to fit two 6/6.5 gallon carboys in there, but that's just fine.

 

[Epos7]

I use on the the Magic Chef 5.2 freezers. Works so far. I have a feeling all the cheep ones are made by the same company, kind of like lawn mowers. Using an Inkbird controller, no heat source, and it works great. One thing you'll want if you don't already have is something to absorb moisture. Got one of these, been using it for months and haven't had to plug in yet.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0XFD2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I ended up buying the mini version of that, hopefully it is sufficient.

 

[Cashjon]

Seems to be the case with a lot of these cheaper freezers unfortunately

On a positive note, this particular Magic Chef 5.2cf unit has 4.5 stars on Home Depot's website with 38 5-star reviews, and only 3 1-star reviews. It has a one year warranty on the unit itself, and a five year warranty on the compressor. Who knows how easy it would be to file a claim, though.

The Kenmore brand seems to be similarly rated, in terms of some units just going bad. I get the feeling that when choosing between these lower-tier brands (Magic Chef, Kenmore, Igloo) I should just buy the cheapest unit I can find and hope for the best. Many of the more reliable brands such as GE don't make freezers this small anyway.

I have been looking into this also and have similar thoughts but I always thought that Sears always stood behind there products for many years, maybe it has changed I don't know but Kenmore would be my top pick only because the reputation Sears has always had. JMO

 

[Cashjon]

I use on the the Magic Chef 5.2 freezers. Works so far. I have a feeling all the cheep ones are made by the same company, kind of like lawn mowers. Using an Inkbird controller, no heat source, and it works great. One thing you'll want if you don't already have is something to absorb moisture. Got one of these, been using it for months and haven't had to plug in yet.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000H0XFD2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

So what do you use your freezer for? Just fermentation or? That little crystal thing looks like another one of those miracle inventions that never work but it works for you so this one must be one of the good products that actually work. What do you use the inkbird for just measuring temp? I'm trying to figure out what people are using to have everything ready prior to getting into all grain. I see some beers need different temps at different times and this is what's confusing to me is how to control this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[PADave]

So what do you use your freezer for? Just fermentation or? That little crystal thing looks like another one of those miracle inventions that never work but it works for you so this one must be one of the good products that actually work. What do you use the inkbird for just measuring temp? I'm trying to figure out what people are using to have everything ready prior to getting into all grain. I see some beers need different temps at different times and this is what's confusing to me is how to control this. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

I use the my freezer for fermentatin control. The inkbird is what controls the temp, turns the freezer on and off. It can also control a heater, but I don't need that. You have to have some sort of controller for a freezer or fridge, or they would get too cold. Once set up, changing the set point temperature on the inkbird takes a few seconds.
The dehumidifier works great. It is just a big silica packet, think those packs in beef jerky. Sucks up the moisture, then when full you plug it in, it heats up and dries out, ready to go again. Been using mine for a couple months now and only had to recharge it once.

 

[Cashjon]

I use the my freezer for fermentatin control. The inkbird is what controls the temp, turns the freezer on and off. It can also control a heater, but I don't need that. You have to have some sort of controller for a freezer or fridge, or they would get too cold. Once set up, changing the set point temperature on the inkbird takes a few seconds.
The dehumidifier works great. It is just a big silica packet, think those packs in beef jerky. Sucks up the moisture, then when full you plug it in, it heats up and dries out, ready to go again. Been using mine for a couple months now and only had to recharge it once.

Ok, well that makes more sense, I know exactly what you mean about this little packets, dam, why didn't I think of that! Lol. Now I get why you are using the inkbird, but a couple questions on the freezer, is that hard on the compressor?I take it that the inkbird is just on-off as needed. What temps do you set your inkbird for and does it go much lower as compressor is running. all in all are you happy with the way your setup is working? I was thinking on building a fermentation box but had no way how to cool it(other than wrapping fermentor with ice bottles inside. But I guess for 50-150 (used vs new) that box is built with the freezer. Is it possible to lay a freezer on its front side so you can just have a lift door and not as high to lift fermenters. Maybe that's crazy but I'm just trying to figure how to eliminate the lifting up and dropping down into freezer, especially my 60ltr fermenter. Thanks for any help.

 

[RedlegEd]

Is it possible to lay a freezer on its front side so you can just have a lift door and not as high to lift fermenters. Maybe that's crazy but I'm just trying to figure how to eliminate the lifting up and dropping down into freezer, especially my 60ltr fermenter. Thanks for any help.

Hi. You don't want to do that. The compressor is designed to run in the upright position. Any other way will ruin it. BTW, are you using plastic or glass carboys? If glass, please do yourself a favor and either get a nylon cradle, such as this, or perhaps put it in a milk crate. For heaven sakes, please don't use one of those silly little neck handles. Glass carboy necks aren't designed for the stress of being carried that way when full.

 

[KeninMN]

If you have a Best Buy nearby, I recently bought their Insignia brand 5.0 cu ft unit and it works perfectly with my 6.5 gal Big Mouth Bubbler.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/insignia-5-0-cu-ft-chest-freezer-white/8390036.p?id=1219691060430&skuId=8390036

 

[PADave]

Ok, well that makes more sense, I know exactly what you mean about this little packets, dam, why didn't I think of that! Lol. Now I get why you are using the inkbird, but a couple questions on the freezer, is that hard on the compressor?I take it that the inkbird is just on-off as needed. What temps do you set your inkbird for and does it go much lower as compressor is running. all in all are you happy with the way your setup is working? I was thinking on building a fermentation box but had no way how to cool it(other than wrapping fermentor with ice bottles inside. But I guess for 50-150 (used vs new) that box is built with the freezer. Is it possible to lay a freezer on its front side so you can just have a lift door and not as high to lift fermenters. Maybe that's crazy but I'm just trying to figure how to eliminate the lifting up and dropping down into freezer, especially my 60ltr fermenter. Thanks for any help.

No, it's not hard on the compressor. Once things stabilize after a few hours the freezer only kicks on once every few hours during active fermentation, and after that a few times a day. You can set the inkbird to what ever temp you want to ferment at, I typically set around 62-65 depending on the yeast. Yes, the air temp will go lower, but my probe is measuring the wort, keeps it within 2 degrees. Quite happy with the setup. I also thought about building a chamber, or buying something used, but as inexpensive as a small freezer is buying a new one made more sense. No you wouldn't want to lay a fridge/freezer on it's side, would ruin it. I'd rig up a hoist or something to get your fermenter in and out. Or, a fridge would work as well, but they cost more unless you find a used one.

 

[bruhaha]

Just my .02. Go as big as will fit in the space/footprint you have available. When I look at any equipment in my current setup, I always figure for anticipated growth. Like you, I thought a smallish freezer would be just right. Guess what, I had to buy a second smallish freezer to keep up with my larger efforts. One slightly larger freezer would have done the job to begin with.

 

[Cashjon]

Just my .02. Go as big as will fit in the space/footprint you have available. When I look at any equipment in my current setup, I always figure for anticipated growth. Like you, I thought a smallish freezer would be just right. Guess what, I had to buy a second smallish freezer to keep up with my larger efforts. One slightly larger freezer would have done the job to begin with.

I hear ya bruhaha, that is a good suggestion, we usually do grow. I know I sure have and just started, thanks