Can you ferment ales in a compact fridge?

[emgesp1]

FWIW, I'm 6'3"

 

[EvilGnome6]

So, I understand that the cooling is not as efficient as a compressor model but as far as energy consumption, do these suck less juice in given time frame, like 24hr as their compressor counterpart?

I have no idea. I figure it doesn't matter too much since we're not running the fridges full blast.

 

[emgesp1]

Any models you can recommend. I just need something small, but not a total piece of crap.

 

[EvilGnome6]

This is what I use. Works great for ales, lagers, and crash cooling.

Evilgnome is right, lifting a carboy above the thing is a pain. I use ale pails for my primary though, not nearly as bad. YMMV. I'm a tall guy, though I imagine a stepstool or small ladder would help with some leverage in case you are indeed as tall as a gnome.

Or have a bad back.

(I'm 6'2", BTW)

 

[DKershner]

Or have a bad back.

(I'm 6'2", BTW)

That's a tall gnome, no wonder you are evil. 6'2" here as well.

 

[emgesp1]

Thank you everyone for all your help. I appreciate it very much.

 

[humann_brewing]

I went to Target at lunch to check this out. It says it can hold 37F, I suppose if you wanted to cold crash your carboys at 32, that might be a problem.

 

[lamarguy]

So, I understand that the cooling is not as efficient as a compressor model but as far as energy consumption, do these suck less juice in given time frame, like 24hr as their compressor counterpart?

Peltier coolers are only about 5 - 10% efficient. So, if you're looking to go "green", don't buy a peltier cooler. Conversely, A/C compressors are about 50% efficient.

The NuCool consumes 100 watts at full power. So, if run at 50% power year round, it will consume (50 / 1000) * 24 * 365 = 438 kWh. At 100% power, it will consume (100 / 1000) * 24 * 365 = 876 kWh.

In my area, that's somewhere between $28 - $55 a year (depending on usage). I can operate a full size (20+ cu ft) modern refrigerator for less than that.. :cross:

 

[lamarguy]

I went to Target at lunch to check this out. It says it can hold 37F, I suppose if you wanted to cold crash your carboys at 32, that might be a problem.

Ya, that was discussed in the other thread. It's good at maintaining temperature, not crash cooling. I believe the measured cooling rate is 1.5F per hour.

 

[DKershner]

Peltier coolers are only about 5 - 10% efficient. So, if you're looking to go "green", don't buy a peltier cooler. Conversely, A/C compressors are about 50% efficient.

The NuCool consumes 100 watts at full power. So, if run at 50% power year round, it will consume (50 / 1000) * 24 * 365 = 438 kWh. At 100% power, it will consume (100 / 1000) * 24 * 365 = 876 kWh.

In my area, that's somewhere between $28 - $55 a year (depending on usage). I can operate a full size (20+ cu ft) modern refrigerator for less than that.. :cross:

I can see on my peltier fridge right behind me, a 55W rating (its smaller than the nucool). I was under the impression this was more efficient than a compressor model. I dont see any flaws in your math, other than perhaps it runs at lower than 50%.

http://www.modern-wine-cellar.com/wine-refrigerator.html

"Thermoelectrics use less energy and because they don't cycle on and off they have smaller temperature fluctuations and more precise temperature control. However, compressor-based systems are more efficient at cooling and can withstand more adverse conditions. But, remember that most wine refrigerators whether thermoelectric or compressor are designed for moderate conditions."

 

[lamarguy]

I can see on my peltier fridge right behind me, a 55W rating (its smaller than the nucool). I was under the impression this was more efficient than a compressor model. I dont see any flaws in your math, other than perhaps it runs at lower than 50%.

Ha, I believe that's called "marketing". Peliter coolers aren't horribly inefficient at low temperature differentials (e.g., 5 - 10F). But, that's NOT what we're discussing here.

From Wikipedia:

Thermoelectric junctions are generally only around 5–10% as efficient as the ideal refrigerator (Carnot cycle), compared with 40–60% achieved by conventional compression cycle systems (reverse Rankine systems like a compressor).​

 

[EricCSU]

I have wondered about the efficiency as well. I think the electric cost will be pretty small because I will probably have it set at 62-70 degrees (no lagers). This only represents a 15 degree difference at most, even in the heat of the summer.

I think this will be easier than checking the temp of my carboy 4-5 times a day and adding ice bottles. Just put it in the fridge and forget it for a couple of weeks (of course I will still watch the carboy...that's just good clean fun!).

I could definitly be wrong...I am way outside of my wheelhouse.

Eric