Anybody using a wine fridge for fermenting?

[TxBigHops]

I've been looking around for something for fermentation chamber - chest or upright freezer, fridge, etc. Almost pulled the trigger on a commercial Bev-Air fridge, but I missed it. Then while searching Craigslist, I came across a wine fridge. Existing thermostat has a range up to 64 degrees, so I'm thinking this would work without any modifications, unlike a regular fridge that will only go as high as 40-something degrees. Is there a flaw in my thinking, or can I make this work, as long as I'm not trying to dial in extremely specific temps? I live in Houston, and I'm just tired of swamp coolers and only brewing in the winter.

 

[d3track]

Can it work? Yes. Are you going to want to be precise in your temps? Yes. Are you going to end up wanting to go above 64? Yes.

I predict your progression to go:
Buy wine fridge
Love it first batch (or couple)
Want more control
Add a temp controller and heat source
Wonder why you didn't to start with

So get moving down that path!

 

[TxBigHops]

Yeah, I completely understand the desire for more precise temp control and for heating. Just that with a regular fridge I would need that immediately, and with this I may be able to put it off a bit. Downside is with this I don't have as much space as a full size upright fridge. But the initial cost is lower. And eventually I may be able to utilize both. It goes on and on...

 

[d3track]

Use the wine fridge, you can add the temp controller later

 

[Michigan_Wolfman]

I had thought of the idea of using a wine fridge for fermentation. The local Sam's Club had a nice sized one earlier this year for $199 that I really regret not buying. All I would have had to do is remove the racks and it would have been perfect for a 5 gallon fermenter.