Chest freezer died. Would like something front load

[Spivey24]

Well my 9 cu ft chest freezer died. It is primarily for fermentation and cold crashing. Compressor is shot and it’s not worth fixing. Since I have an opportunity to change I was thinking of doing something different. I do not like having to lift the fermenters in and out of the chest freezer so was looking at something front loading. I don’t see much available that would hold 2 7 gallon fermenters. Any suggestions? I would ever consider building something if it wasn’t too ghetto.

 

[IslandLizard]

Are your fermenters relatively wide (Fermzilla, All-Rounder type)? Hence the problem of putting 2 on the fridge's floor.

After my fermentation fridge stopped cooling, I switched to a (used) full-size upright freezer.
Two 6.5 gallon brew buckets or plastic carboys fit in there on a slight diagonal. But only one All-Rounder would. Instead of 2 buckets I can also fit 5 ball-lock kegs in there, or a mix.

 

[Tartan1]

Any suggestions

Not sure if this would fit the bill but this is what I'm using as a Kegerator and Cold crashing unit, got it used and has been a workhorse. I like the option of using the top portion shelving for chilling bottles and cans.

Frigidaire® 19.53 cu. ft. Commercial-grade Freezer​

 

[IslandLizard]

Or... a regular old-fashioned top-freezer refrigerator might fit the bill, but not sure space-wise. They typically fit 6 kegs on the floor (2 rows of 3). There must still be a decent 2nd hand market in those, as side-by-sides have become consumer preference apparently.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I vote for upright freezer too. I got this one after I moved and couldn't be happier with it. I reinforced the shelves and set-up and InkBird on it. The clearance is about 24" for buckets, carboys, etc.

 

[JohnDBrewer]

Upright freezer or refrigerator.

 

[ClaudiusB]

I vote for an upright freezer too.
Mine is a commercial unit I use for aging my beers. It can hold nine Cornies, plus many six-packs on the top shelf.

 

[Yesfan]

Are your fermenters relatively wide (Fermzilla, All-Rounder type)? Hence the problem of putting 2 on the fridge's floor.

After my fermentation fridge stopped cooling, I switched to a (used) full-size upright freezer.
Two 6.5 gallon brew buckets or plastic carboys fit in there on a slight diagonal. But only one All-Rounder would. Instead of 2 buckets I can also fit 5 ball-lock kegs in there, or a mix.

That's the biggest negative of the All-Rounder. I hate how wide they are. If the Fermonsters could handle the pressure like the All Rounder, they would be the perfect fermenter since they are taller and thinner.

 

[hottpeper13]

I was gifted a side by side that holds 3 cornys in the freezer side at 33* with CO2 and with the shelf in the fridge holds 2- 6.5 big mouth or with the shelf removed my 14 gal fermenzilla. I took the ice maker out of the freezer and removed the door shelving on both sides.

 

[Spivey24]

Are your fermenters relatively wide (Fermzilla, All-Rounder type)? Hence the problem of putting 2 on the fridge's floor.

After my fermentation fridge stopped cooling, I switched to a (used) full-size upright freezer.
Two 6.5 gallon brew buckets or plastic carboys fit in there on a slight diagonal. But only one All-Rounder would. Instead of 2 buckets I can also fit 5 ball-lock kegs in there, or a mix.

They are Anvil SS bucket fermenters. The width of a HD bucket - 12” - but with 2 handles that stick out 2.5” on each side. I haven’t seen any non-commercial uprights that would fit side by side. On on top of the other would probably be fine.

 

[Spivey24]

Not sure if this would fit the bill but this is what I'm using as a Kegerator and Cold crashing unit, got it used and has been a workhorse. I like the option of using the top portion shelving for chilling bottles and cans.

Frigidaire® 19.53 cu. ft. Commercial-grade Freezer​

Looks good but a bit out of budget. Looks like it’s running 1700$ at HD now

 

[Spivey24]

I vote for upright freezer too. I got this one after I moved and couldn't be happier with it. I reinforced the shelves and set-up and InkBird on it. The clearance is about 24" for buckets, carboys, etc.

Nice. Looks like with the bump out I could still get 2 fermenters vertically. Would definitely need reinforcing especially for the second fermenter. What do you think?

 

[Spivey24]

Upright freezer or refrigerator.

What make/model is that?

 

[505-Brewer]

Costco has Hisense upright freezers - three sizes i think. Remove their shelves and build a stand. Check dimensions but look to be nice and boxy inside w unobtrusive door shelves. Nice and tall with easy access. Here is the largest. Warranties at Costco usually pretty good too.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Nice. Looks like with the bump out I could still get 2 fermenters vertically. Would definitely need reinforcing especially for the second fermenter. What do you think?

You can definitely get two in there. Although not shown in the picture, I reinforced the stock shelves with a piece of angle aluminum. I attached it to the shelves with butterfly anchors. It works great.

 

[Spivey24]

You can definitely get two in there. Although not shown in the picture, I reinforced the stock shelves with a piece of angle aluminum. I attached it to the shelves with butterfly anchors. It works great.

View attachment 865391

Looks like it might be a little tight on the bottom shelf with the spigot on the fermenter. It would probably work though if I turn it a bit.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Looks like it might be a little tight on the bottom shelf with the spigot on the fermenter. It would probably work though if I turn it a bit.

I have 20L Speidels now and with the temp dial in the back and door shelf removed, it fits in there just fine spigot forward. Any wider, turning the fermenter a bit would work just fine.

 

[IslandLizard]

They are Anvil SS bucket fermenters. The width of a HD bucket - 12” - but with 2 handles that stick out 2.5” on each side. I haven’t seen any non-commercial uprights that would fit side by side.

Those handles are indeed huge and awkward!

Perhaps if you turn the fermenters almost 90° (one clockwise, the other counter-clockwise) so the handles are diagonally positioned, 2 of them may fit?

(Added)

On on top of the other would probably be fine.

That may work!
Just be careful, not just for your back, lifting the top one, in and out. It's awkwardly high positioned, out of optimal and comfortable lifting range!

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I went ahead and took a couple pics of my shelf reinforcement in case I missed painting a good verbal picture.

 

[Tartan1]

I went ahead and took a couple pics of my shelf reinforcement in case I missed painting a good verbal picture.

Good idea with the use of angle aluminum and a toggle bolt

 

[Spivey24]

I am going to see if this 7 cu ft freezer can handle 1 fermenter and just get 2 of them. It will be tight. Q&A answer says it’s 16x14.25 inside.

Upright freezer

 

[FloppyKnockers]

Yeah, dude! Two would probably work out better than one. Ale in one, lager in the other.

 

[JohnDBrewer]

What make/model is that?

I think it is 16 cubic ft. The freezer is 60-inches tall, outside. If you go any smaller and want to stack your fermenters you run out of space on the top. They will fit, just the top fermenter needs a right angle blowoff tube. The smaller ones are the same dimensions,except for the height.

I also have a 21cft upright. It can fit both fermenters side by side. I have a SS conical which I use in there with the two brew bucks. The brew buckets stacked and the conical (7.5g) on the side. It's basically the same diameter as the buckets. Got the 21cft for free off market place. They said it was broken, once it was plugged in, it wouldn't stop cooling. Just plug it into the temp controller, bingo. The 21cft are expensive even on the aftermarket. Also that size has bigger inside dimensions, obviously, and it is 72inches tall.

Make sure you're only looking at frost free, as other freezer have the chilling lines in the shelves, which means the shelves are not removable.

 

[JohnDBrewer]

This the 21cft freezer.

 

[Spivey24]

I am going to see if this 7 cu ft freezer can handle 1 fermenter and just get 2 of them. It will be tight. Q&A answer says it’s 16x14.25 inside.

Upright freezer

I picked up one of these 7 cu ft freezers today. It has plenty of room - almost too much. More than listed by comments on the item. It is a full 17”x17” inside. I was on the fence on getting the 11 cu ft but decided on 2 7s. It’s a hundred more but I don’t have to deal with lifting and stacking the fermenters. The 7 also fits a full 3 corny kegs which is great. I will probably replace the bottom shelf as I don’t trust the glass shelf.

 

[Yesfan]

Looks like it might be wide enough for my Fermzilla All Rounder, maybe even tall enough for my Spike CF-10 conical.

 

[Yesfan]

.......I will probably replace the bottom shelf as I don’t trust the glass shelf.

Maybe you can move the glass shelf drawer closer to the top, or build a more robust shelf on the level above it. Looks like a good storage place for brewery items.

 

[BongoYodeler]

I picked up one of these 7 cu ft freezers today. It has plenty of room - almost too much. More than listed by comments on the item. It is a full 17”x17” inside. I was on the fence on getting the 11 cu ft but decided on 2 7s. It’s a hundred more but I don’t have to deal with lifting and stacking the fermenters. The 7 also fits a full 3 corny kegs which is great. I will probably replace the bottom shelf as I don’t trust the glass shelf.

View attachment 865577

So, 17"w x17"d, How tall (inside)? I'm considering something that will hold my 30L Speidel with the O2-free transfer attachment sold by NorCal. I need to measure the height with the attachment, but I'm guessing it's around 36 inches tall.

 

[Spivey24]

I just went to Lowe’s. There are so many more options for upright freezers now. I thought when I looked several years ago they all had shelves that couldn’t be removed.

 

[Yesfan]

I took measurements of my Spike CF-10 and I'm doubting it will fit. It may be too wide. My 15 gallon corny keg on the other hand, should fit. Flex+ and Fermzilla All Rounder, ??.

Maybe I should sell my CF-10 and use the funds to get that 7cu ft freezer?