Allavino wine refrigerator for a fermentation chamber

[JamieP]

I need a fermentation chamber and the only space I have for one is in my basement bar. Because it will be out for all to see, I want someting that looks nice and am willing to spend a bit more because of it. With the space I have I need to go vertical and am thinking of 115 bottle wine refrigerator. I should be able to fit 2 brewtech buckets with the space above the compressor step. The temp range (41-73) should eliminate the need for a seperate controller and potentially allow me to cold crash.

I'm pretty close to sold on this solution. Anything I'm not thinking of that might steer me away from this?

http://www.beveragefactory.com/refrigerators/wine/allavino-YHWR115-1BRN-wine-cellar.html

 

[Pappers_]

I'm not familiar with this particular wine fridge, but you should check to make sure that it has an exact temperature setting. The wine fridge I have, for example, tells me the exact temperature it is at, but only allows me to adjust it within three ranges (red, pink, white).

 

[Pappers_]

Another thing is to look at the inside of it, at the floor - some of these have a hump along the back where some of the mechanics are, so the footprint of available space for a bucket or carboy is not as big as it might seem. Also, make sure you are including room for an airlock or blowoff tube in your calculations.

 

[JamieP]

Thanks for the considerations. I'll have to verify the temp setting although based on the product pictures you should be able to go up/down one degree at a time. The interior space should be plenty. I had originally looked at some glass door merchandisers, but this offers more usable space.

 

[tagz]

I got a wine fridge off Craigslist. It has a hump but fits my carboys without any modification. I use an stc to control temps. I had to bypass the internal thermostat to cold crash but it works great. And it looks much nicer than the old mini fridge I used to use.