Chest Freezer Specs and Layouts

[byersjus]

I searched, but I couldn't find where the master "flat file" aka excel sheet was ever posted.

I have an exterior width limitation so it would be great to filter the database to only those models under my limit.

 

[cgriffith]

I was looking for the smallest chest freezer I could use for fermentation chamber. I searched this thread but found no posts confirming the use of a 3.5 cu ft.. In any case, I purchased a Magic Chef 3.5 cu. ft. Manual Defrost Chest Freezer from Home Depot. In case the link goes bad, it is model #HMCF3W5. I am able to confirm I can fit my one Chapman Univessel fermentor without modification. I will build a wood shelf to fill in void at bottom so compressor hump height is the usable height. Also, will use a blow off tube instead of usual airlock. 19 1/4 " h x 15 5/8 d x 16 1/4 " w. This works perfect for my use case.

 

[Brewhaa]

I have no experience with chest freezers, but I'm just wondering how you get everything to not freeze up? Can the thermostat be set to above 32*.

 

[boatbuilder]

I have no experience with chest freezers, but I'm just wondering how you get everything to not freeze up? Can the thermostat be set to above 32*.

You install an external temperature controller that allows you to set what temperature you want it at. Basically you plug the freezer into the controller and the controller into the wall. The whole thing takes maybe 5 minutes.

 

[sodbuster]

I just got back from Home Depot. The magic chef 7.0 fits 3 kegs. I brought my kegs there. The off brand vissani 7.0 fits 4 on the floor. $229 and I grabbed it.

Thanks, I picked this one up at HD today for 219$ it holds two tall corny kegs no sweat but with three talls and a squat one no luck. I only have one squat one so it should not be a problem.

 

[Langerz]

I just picked up a Criterion 7.0 at Menards for 198. On sale until April 8. Never heard of the brand but can confirm 4 ball locks fit on the floor

 

[CascadesBrewer]

Definitely appreciate this thread. I was able to blindly (with a modicum of confidence and without being able to see a floor model) buy an Insignia 7 cu ft chest freezer today as a result.
When I got it home, I was able to confirm it will hold (4) ball locks on the floor. Plus room for a 2.5 gallon keg on the hump.
Bought it from Best Buy @ 229.99
Model: NS-CZ70WH0 SKU: 6385046

Thanks. I am looking at that one. The 10 cu ft one also looks tempting, but is nearly twice the price. I have a 5 cu ft Insignia (my ferm chamber) that I have been very happy with.

 

[ShaneB]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Magic-C...t-Freezer-in-White-HMCF35W5/313922431#overlay
Anyone have any experience with this small chest freezer? 21.46 in x 21.46 in x 33.26in tall (exterior), was wondering if it could fit 1 or 2 5gal kegs.

 

[IslandLizard]

Anyone have any experience with this small chest freezer? 21.46 in x 21.46 in x 33.26in tall (exterior), was wondering if it could fit 1 or 2 5gal kegs.

You'll have to get the exact internal dimensions, especially the floor dimensions of the deep end, next to the hump. That's where the 2 kegs will be standing. It has to be over 8.5" wide to fit a ball lock keg. And over 19" long to fit 2 of them, next to each other.

A (true) ball-lock keg is 25" tall with a diameter of 8.5".

[Added] Given the outside dimensions I would doubt you can even fit one keg in there, and definitely not 2. Although the inside height will be sufficient, the inside floor space down from the hump, is most likely not.

 

[ShaneB]

You'll have to get the exact internal dimensions, especially the floor dimensions of the deep end, next to the hump. That's where the 2 kegs will be standing. It has to be over 8.5" wide to fit a ball lock keg. And over 19" long to fit 2 of them, next to each other.

A (true) ball-lock keg is 25" tall with a diameter of 8.5".

[Added] Given the outside dimensions I would doubt you can even fit one keg in there, and definitely not 2. Although the inside height will be sufficient, the inside floor space down from the hump, is most likely not.

If you look at the 4th pic on the home depot site, it appears like it doesn't have a hump. Is that possible? maybe the whole interior is on top of the compressor? Ideally I would like to find the smallest chest freezer than can fit 2x 5gal keg and and I can run the co2 from a tank outside. I could installer a collar to drill in holes for 2 taps and co2 input. I guess the only way to determine is to order it, measure it and return it if not needed. Seems like it's sold out now

 

[CascadesBrewer]

If you look at the 4th pic on the home depot site, it appears like it doesn't have a hump. Is that possible?

I doubt that is the case. When I looked at small chest freezers at Best Buy, they had a very narrow well. In the very last picture it looks like there is a section on the left that might be 1 ft wide where the stuck items like pizzas down into the well. So I think in the 4th picture, all you see is the top of the hump. I am sure you could use this with a collar. I don't see any lines to the lid that would cause issues (often for lights).

 

[IslandLizard]

If you look at the 4th pic on the home depot site, it appears like it doesn't have a hump.

Every chest freezer I've ever seen has a hump, it houses the compressor. To make things worse, the hump takes up a relatively large space in smaller freezers, such as the one you're eying up.
Buy larger.

You can also use a keezer/kegerator for cold crashing and lagering beer, while dispensing other ones.

 

[MaxStout]

Freezers are like brew kettles. Once you buy one, you soon wish you had a bigger one.

Go with a bigger model. You won't regret it.

 

[grampamark]

About the smallest chest freezer that will fit two ball locks in the well, leaving the space on the hump for the co2 bottle or extra storage, is 5 cu. ft.

I put this one together about a year ago. It’s a 5.0 Vissani from the Orange Box. I opted not to add a collar as I wanted the smallest unit, in all dimensions, possible. The keezer is in the space between the sofa in our living room and the dining table in the adjacent kitchen/dining space. This house is 3 beds, 2 baths, with separate utility/laundry room, all sqeezed into 1000 sq ft and no basement. Space is at a premium.

To mount the faucets I built a small box out of scrap plywood and mounted it on one corner of the lid, using 3” pass through shanks to pass the beer lines through the lid and into the box. There’s room (just barely) on the hump for a 5 lb co2 bottle and regulator, a homemade light fixture for a heat source, and a small fan to minimize condensation. The two kegs fit, diagonally, in the well with about 1\2” between them. I have had one ball lock and one converted pinlock in it but the second keg to go in was a press fit. There’s room in one corner of the well for a 16 oz aluminum beer bottle, filled with water, and stuffed into a beer koozie with the Inkbird temp probe inside the koozie, so the controller is measuring liquid temp, not ambient temp in the freezer.


The interior dimensions are:
20 1/8” wide
16 9/16” deep
27 1/4” tall in the well, 19 3/4” over the hump
The well is 13” wide, the hump is 7 1/8” wide.

 

[ShaneB]

About the smallest chest freezer that will fit two ball locks in the well, leaving the space on the hump for the co2 bottle or extra storage, is 5 cu. ft.

I put this one together about a year ago. It’s a 5.0 Vissani from the Orange Box. I opted not to add a collar as I wanted the smallest unit, in all dimensions, possible. The keezer is in the space between the sofa in our living room and the dining table in the adjacent kitchen/dining space. This house is 3 beds, 2 baths, with separate utility/laundry room, all sqeezed into 1000 sq ft and no basement. Space is at a premium.

To mount the faucets I built a small box out of scrap plywood and mounted it on one corner of the lid, using 3” pass through shanks to pass the beer lines through the lid and into the box. There’s room (just barely) on the hump for a 5 lb co2 bottle and regulator, a homemade light fixture for a heat source, and a small fan to minimize condensation. The two kegs fit, diagonally, in the well with about 1\2” between them. I have had one ball lock and one converted pinlock in it but the second keg to go in was a press fit. There’s room in one corner of the well for a 16 oz aluminum beer bottle, filled with water, and stuffed into a beer koozie with the Inkbird temp probe inside the koozie, so the controller is measuring liquid temp, not ambient temp in the freezer.


The interior dimensions are:
20 1/8” wide
16 9/16” deep
27 1/4” tall in the well, 19 3/4” over the hump
The well is 13” wide, the hump is 7 1/8” wide.

View attachment 822930View attachment 822931View attachment 822932

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vissani...h-LED-Light-Type-in-White-DCM5QRWW/317213436?
Do you think this is the same model? It says 4.9, your pics look exactly what I'm looking for: 2 kegs and a co2 tank

 

[grampamark]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vissani...h-LED-Light-Type-in-White-DCM5QRWW/317213436?
Do you think this is the same model? It says 4.9, your pics look exactly what I'm looking for: 2 kegs and a co2 tank

Yeah, that’s the one I have. When I bought it, at the local HD, it was part of a blue light special. They had a row of Vissani freezers in a couple of different sizes. The sign on the display called it 5 cu ft but the actual specs call it 4.9.

 

[IslandLizard]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Vissani...h-LED-Light-Type-in-White-DCM5QRWW/317213436?
Do you think this is the same model? It says 4.9, your pics look exactly what I'm looking for: 2 kegs and a co2 tank

Mind, the one you linked to is a Magic Chef and only 3.5 cf, about a 3rd smaller than the 5 (4.9) cf Vissani @grampamark has.

 

[ShaneB]

Mind, the one you linked to is a Magic Chef and only 3.5 cf, about a 3rd smaller than the 5 (4.9) cf Vissani @grampamark has.

weird, when I click on the link it goes to:
"Vissani 24.8 in. 4.9 cu. ft. Manual Defrost Chest Freezer with LED Light Type in White"

 

[IslandLizard]

weird, when I click on the link it goes to:
"Vissani 24.8 in. 4.9 cu. ft. Manual Defrost Chest Freezer with LED Light Type in White"

Sorry for my misunderstanding, I meant the link in your original post #818 points to the 3.5 cf Magic Chef.
Disregard.

 

[cgriffith]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Magic-C...t-Freezer-in-White-HMCF35W5/313922431#overlay
Anyone have any experience with this small chest freezer? 21.46 in x 21.46 in x 33.26in tall (exterior), was wondering if it could fit 1 or 2 5gal kegs.

Sorry for delay, I was out of town. I have this model. I use it as fermentation chamber. Is there something I can get for you? I don't have kegs to measure.

 

[ShaneB]

Yeah, that’s the one I have. When I bought it, at the local HD, it was part of a blue light special. They had a row of Vissani freezers in a couple of different sizes. The sign on the display called it 5 cu ft but the actual specs call it 4.9.

Thanks for the info, I got lucky and found one in great condition on craigslist. I was able to fit 2x 5gal ball lock kegs and a 5lb co2 with regulator. The freezer is very light weight and easy to move around.

 

[MackerelQ]

Does anyone have experience with the Frigidaire EFRF7003 7.0 cu. ft.?
Robot or human?

 

[Jif]

I'm looking at building a new keezer: my minifrige based one has been mostly a frustration. I'd like to get the smallest freezer that would allow either two ball locks on the floor or a 1/2 barrel commercial keg, and then 1 or 2 ball locks on the hump. Does anyone have any tips on what's currently out there? Getting floor measurements is so difficult remotely.

 

[Yesfan]

Your best bet is to just take some measurements of the chest freezer's interior and go from there. Grab a measuring tape at your Lowe's, Home Depot, etc. and take measurements of their freezers' interiors. Write them down. Then you could make some 8.5" diameter templates (or the diameter of your kegs if they are different from a standard corny) to see it would fit and how many in that given space.

 

[Konadog]

I'm looking at building a new keezer: my minifrige based one has been mostly a frustration. I'd like to get the smallest freezer that would allow either two ball locks on the floor or a 1/2 barrel commercial keg, and then 1 or 2 ball locks on the hump. Does anyone have any tips on what's currently out there? Getting floor measurements is so difficult remotely.

Have you looked here?
Chest Freezer Specs and Layouts

 

[odie]

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Magic-C...st-Freezer-in-White-HMCF9W3/313864036#overlay

I'm working on this one... 8.7 Magic Chef. I had it a few years as cold storage but decided to make it a keezer. Holds 5x5gal on the floor and 2x3gal on the hump. short 2x4 collar. 7 taps total. 5 on CO2 and 2 on Nitro.

 

[caseinpoint]

This thread is amazing. I really wish I would have seen this when I first built my keezer.