Brew Bucket owners - What Mini Fridge are you using ?

[Spartan1979]

Here is the description from the Sam's website

Tramontina 126-Can Beverage Center
by Tramontina | Item #: 886159 | Model #: 80901/502DS |

Here is the link again

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/126-can-dsv-in-club-886159/prod18910248.ip?sprodId=prod18910248

126 Can bev cooler

Hope this helps

Steve

I picked up two of these on Monday. I've yet to unbox them though.

 

[Spartan1979]

I finally unboxed one of them today and the Brew Bucket fits perfectly. Thanks for making me aware of this unit.

Also a keg will fit in it (but I think only 1). Bonus!

 

[Spartan1979]

The only reservation I have is that when the controller cuts the power to the unit, when it comes back on, the unit resets itself to 45° instead of whatever I had it at. It's not a big deal for fermenting, but for cold crashing, I may just have to not use the controller.

 

[woo_pig]

My blue LED's look pretty cool .

 

[steveoatley]

The only reservation I have is that when the controller cuts the power to the unit, when it comes back on, the unit resets itself to 45° instead of whatever I had it at. It's not a big deal for fermenting, but for cold crashing, I may just have to not use the controller.

Check the Sams Club website - there are several reviews of the fridge
that people have called the Customer Service hot line, and got a NEW
circuit board - so that the fridge will get to 35 F

Do that ! They ship fast too !

That will help with the crash chilling.

I have the internal frdge temp set to 35 F, and my controller only runs the fridge
when it needs to - to keep temps in the right range
So sometimes it reads 65 F - when running
And then when i cold crash - the fridge temp read out says 35 F - when i am
doing that cold crash

S

 

[Spartan1979]

Check the Sams Club website - there are several reviews of the fridge
that people have called the Customer Service hot line, and got a NEW
circuit board - so that the fridge will get to 35 F

Do that ! They ship fast too !

That will help with the crash chilling.

I have the internal frdge temp set to 35 F, and my controller only runs the fridge
when it needs to - to keep temps in the right range
So sometimes it reads 65 F - when running
And then when i cold crash - the fridge temp read out says 35 F - when i am
doing that cold crash

S

Mine goes to 35. I read somewhere that they're shipping them out that way now. It's just that when the STC-1000 controller I use shuts off the unit, the unit comes back on at 45. I'll just have to not use the controller when I'm cold crashing.

 

[steveoatley]

I use the Black Box for temp control

http://www.blackboxbrew.com/

And as far as i can tell, the Black Box turns off the Fridge - when heating... or its not needed

When I do Cold Crashes - the fridge internal read out say 35 F

Not sure how that happens - as i have not WATCHED the unit crash temps
I've only seen the fridge at stages of the crash - walk in
60 F
next day 40 F
next day 35 F

interesting............ rubs chin.............

Steve

 

[Spartan1979]

I use the Black Box for temp control

http://www.blackboxbrew.com/

And as far as i can tell, the Black Box turns off the Fridge - when heating... or its not needed

When I do Cold Crashes - the fridge internal read out say 35 F

Not sure how that happens - as i have not WATCHED the unit crash temps
I've only seen the fridge at stages of the crash - walk in
60 F
next day 40 F
next day 35 F

interesting............ rubs chin.............

Steve

If you crash all at once, it's probably fine. If you do it slowly over several days, using a controller that turns off the fridge will cause the unit to be set at 45 when you turn it back on. It doesn't retain the setting you had when it loses power.

 

[crooow]

I finally unboxed one of them today and the Brew Bucket fits perfectly. Thanks for making me aware of this unit.

Also a keg will fit in it (but I think only 1). Bonus!

Have you confirmed that only 1 keg will fit in it? (what's the internal height?) I'd like to keep kegs in it when it's not on fermentation chamber duties.

 

[Spartan1979]

Have you confirmed that only 1 keg will fit in it? (what's the internal height?) I'd like to keep kegs in it when it's not on fermentation chamber duties.

Height's not the problem. It's just not quite wide enough. There's a little plastic thing on the right side that might be removable and maybe two kegs can fit. But I don't need it for keg storage so I'm not going to remove it to find out.

 

[festbier]

Do we have confirmation on the Speidel fitting or not? What if you made a stand so that it can sit at the level of the hump?

 

[steveoatley]

Do we have confirmation on the Speidel fitting or not? What if you made a stand so that it can sit at the level of the hump?

FestBier

I do not own a Speidel, so i can not say for sure.

I measure from the compressor hump to the glass door as - 12 inches
From on top of the compressor hump to the glass door as - 16.5 inches

Speidel seems to be 14.5 inches around
but not sure if it would fit on top of the hump with an air lock

Do you have an empty Speidel - you could take it o Sam's and try?
The Sam's i bought mine at, had a Display model i got my measurements from

hope this helps

S

 

[festbier]

Yeah that helps. I think it will fit as far as depth and width are concerned. I'm wondering about the height now, sitting on the hump. The Speidel is 18.5 inches tall without that massive airlock. I could just use a blowoff tube if it fits.

 

[festbier]

I could just use a blowoff tube if it fits.

Or loosely seal it with saran wrap/foil.

 

[steveoatley]

I have the Total inside height as 26 inches from bottom to the LED

I did not measure from the hump to the top

Maybe it will fit

S

 

[crooow]

Do we have confirmation on the Speidel fitting or not? What if you made a stand so that it can sit at the level of the hump?

I just bought 2 of these fridges. I also have the Speidel. Unfortunately, it does not fit on the floor. If you insert the shelf that fits over the hump, the Speidel will fit, but there is no room for the airlock or the Speidel cover. You'd have to put foil over the top and even then it's very very tight. I'm using big mouth bubblers.

I'm liking these fridges although on one of them, the LCD light comes on randomly every couple days. Not a big enough deal for me to deal with the hassle of returning it.

 

[festbier]

I just bought 2 of these fridges. I also have the Speidel. Unfortunately, it does not fit on the floor. If you insert the shelf that fits over the hump, the Speidel will fit, but there is no room for the airlock or the Speidel cover. You'd have to put foil over the top and even then it's very very tight. I'm using big mouth bubblers.

That's exactly what I came up with. I started a new thread on this.

 

[CarolinaBob]

Will this hold temps up in the high 60's low 70's?

Sorry !!! I forgot to post, that i found something

I did find a good option at Sams Club

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/126-can-dsv-in-club-886159/prod18910248.ip

Fits SS Brew Bucket
Fits Glass 6.5 g Carboy
Fits Plastic Brew Bucket

No modification needed to fit - just take out the glass shelves

Here is a pic, with the SS brew Bucket

 

[steveoatley]

Carolina Bob

I use this for temp control

http://www.blackboxbrew.com/

The black box & mini Fridge have no problem holding at 68 F

I use this in the "heat side" when temps need to go up

https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermwrap-heater.html


Hope that helps

S

 

[Vandulus]

After a ruined batch of Saison that hit 83 F and tastes like paint thinner, I finally broke down and got something for one of my 7 gallon BrewBuckets. Over the past year of looking at different options here are the criteria used to select a fridge:
- Big enough to fit the BrewBucket with room to maneuver
- No modifications to the BrewBucket or fridge
- No freezer to contend with multiple temperature zones
- Able to cool down fairly quickly
- Not too big so I can buy a 2nd one eventually for my other BrewBucket

Last week, I finally pulled the trigger on an EdgeStar Ultra Low Temp Refrigerator for Kegerator Conversion

It was originally listed at $319, dropped to $303 with free shipping. Even better was they offered 6 months same as cash and an additional $20 discount for financing. Plus I have the option to easily convert it to a kegerator at a future point - bonus! At less than $50 a month for the next half year, how could I say no?

Got it yesterday, unpacked it and since I was never able to get good information about the internal dimensions, came the moment of truth. I put in my BrewBucket and it has plenty of space! I was planning on using the 90 degree airlock fitting, but could easily use my regular airlock if I choose.

I'm planning on brewing an Imperial IPA this weekend and will see how well it works, but so far I couldn't be happier with my decision. I included a few pics so you can get an idea of its size next to my 10.1 cubic foot fridge and how much room there is inside.

 

[tjosborne]

The beverage cooler still working good for you guys? Thinking about getting two of these.

 

[woo_pig]

Mine is doing good. Just wish I could get it down to 32. 39 is as low it goes.

 

[Horseflesh]

This Magic Chef 52 bottle wine cooler works. It is also sold under the Vissani name. They appear on Craigslist frequently for $100-$150. I don't think they are made any more but if you can find one used at the right price, go for it. I've been using one for 3 years and just bought another.

http://ftp.mcappliance.com/productdetailpage.aspx?ModelName=MCWC52B

Depending on your needs you may wish to bypass the thermostat and use an external temperature controller. There are instructions for that in the STC -1000 build thread. The wiring diagram on the back is easy to follow too, you just cut 2 wires and splice them together with a wire nut.

 

[steveoatley]

This is the one I went with

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/126-can-dsv-in-club-886159/prod18910248.ip?xid=plp:product:1:1

$191 with tax at Sam's club - we are members.

I have two now... they dont' get to 32F, but close ( @ 38 F is the best they can do )

Steve

 

[Spartan1979]

I've had mine down to 35F. They work fine.

I had to buy a Sam's Club membership just for this. But it was still a cheaper option than anywhere else.

 

[tjosborne]

Ok I'm gonna go get a few then. Thanks guys. It will be nice to have two zones to ferment in.

 

[singybrue]

Here's another option- I just picked one up from my local Home Depot.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Magic-Chef-4-4-cu-ft-Mini-Refrigerator-with-Freezerless-Design-in-Stainless-Steel-HMAR440ST/207169805

Fits a brew bucket almost perfectly. The ridge in the center of the door pushes on the brew bucket when the door is closed, so I think I will trim that off.
Also fits a 6g carboy, 2-3g better bottles, or a 5g corny.
Was able to hit 30F no problem when I hooked up my STC-1000 controller.

 

[singybrue]

Here's some pics

View attachment 1479354065391.jpg

View attachment 1479354077307.jpg

View attachment 1479354094684.jpg

View attachment 1479354105704.jpg

 

[steveoatley]

Here's another option- I just picked one up from my local Home Depot.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Magic-Chef-4-4-cu-ft-Mini-Refrigerator-with-Freezerless-Design-in-Stainless-Steel-HMAR440ST/207169805

Fits a brew bucket almost perfectly. The ridge in the center of the door pushes on the brew bucket when the door is closed, so I think I will trim that off.
Also fits a 6g carboy, 2-3g better bottles, or a 5g corny.
Was able to hit 30F no problem when I hooked up my STC-1000 controller.

I almost when with that model
It was considerably MORE expensive last spring !!
I went with the Sam's club version, for the glass door, i can see the bubbles !
AND, the Trantomina from Sam's has a Drain at the back, i used a 1/2 inch drill
and opened up that hole - and i can run my heat pad cord & Thermo prob cord threw the hole... no external cords to see

At $118 - i would have gone with the Magic Chef - they were over $200 back in the spring

Must be that Black Friday pricing !!

my 2 cents

 

[singybrue]

Yes, it's a black friday, well, pre-black friday deal.
There is a drain hole in the raised back part on the Magic Chef that can be drilled out for cords.
No bubbles to watch in a brew bucket, so the glass door isn't a big deal for me. Can't beat the price.