I am looking into acquiring a old fridge or freezer off of Craigslist to use for fermentation of ales and lagers. I can condition a beer in a me in my kegerator but I would like a separate unit for fermentation. What works best for this use? My fermentation is done in a 5 gal glass carboy any secondary is done in a 3 gal glass carboy. I have no plans on brewing bigger batches. Is condensation a problem with freezers at typical fermentation temps? I live on ga. Any input on advantages/disadvantages is welcome. Tell me what you use and why you like it and maybe some reasons why you don't. Thanks everyone.
Controlling fermentation temps
- Thread starter farmskis
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monsteroyd
Active Member
I use my old side by side refrig with a STC-1000 controller. Works great, and no condensation at ale fermentation temps. I don't lager, so you'll probably get some condensation in GA if you do. I use smaller Mr Beer kegs for fermenting, so I can't answer how to get all your stuff in. I originally was looking at a freezer, but some of them have the cooling coils built in to the shelves, so you would have problems putting the carboys in them, cause you can't take the shelves out. Now that I have one, I'll always have one. It just eliminates one potential problem, fermentation temps, forever.
Monty
Monty
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OP
farmskis
Well-Known Member
Yeah I did notice that some freezers contained the coils in the shelves and that definitely rules them out... I have been looking at smaller chest freezers because I would be able to warm to ale temps in the winter (my basement is typically right on the bottoms of ale ferment temps in the winter). Easy to warm with a simple light enclosed in a paint can to add a little heat. I have seen some side by sides but it looks like with the carboys they would be a little too small and inefficient with space. Now with the mr beer kegs I bet it works great!
