DIY fermentation chamber in FL garage?

[MBN]

I was wondering if anyone can tell me if they live in FL and have their fermentation chamber in the garage. I don't have a place in my house and have been using the tube upstair to ferment in. I would like to do a window A/C one or a mini fridge one in my garage. Doesn't need to be big. maybe only 2 or three buckets. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[Blurryface]

Chest freezer with a temp controller should be all you need.

 

[kh54s10]

All I can recommend it a lot of insulation!!!

Or a chest freezer and a lot of electricity.

 

[MBN]

All I can recommend it a lot of insulation!!!

Planned on that.

Or a chest freezer and a lot of electricity.

Won't fit under the work bench where I want to put it.

 

[kh54s10]

A screened porch would be better if you have one. A closed garage will probably get very hot. Unless it is part of the house and well insulated.

 

[MBN]

A screened porch would be better if you have one. A closed garage will probably get very hot. Unless it is part of the house and well insulated.

It is part of the house. It's all concrete block but does get pretty warm as expected in a FL garage.

 

[passedpawn]

I live in clearwater and have my fermentation chest freezer in the garage, and my keezer with four taps on the back patio.

I've put a Kill-a-Watt on them and measured the energy consumption. Not much. $1 or $2 per month, IIRC. Don't worry about electrical costs.

I get the impression you want to do something clever and improvisational. That's great, but in the end you'll be disappointed, have spent more money, and will end up with a chest freezer anyway. Just do it.

 

[kh54s10]

I live in clearwater and have my fermentation chest freezer in the garage, and my keezer with four taps on the back patio.

I've put a Kill-a-Watt on them and measured the energy consumption. Not much. $1 or $2 per month, IIRC. Don't worry about electrical costs.

I get the impression you want to do something clever and improvisational. That's great, but in the end you'll be disappointed, have spent more money, and will end up with a chest freezer anyway. Just do it.

Is the $1 or $2 difference compared to if the freezer was inside?

It is less that I expected. I am interested because I am contemplating a move to FL. East Coast.

 

[passedpawn]

Is the $1 or $2 difference compared to if the freezer was inside?

It is less that I expected. I am interested because I am contemplating a move to FL. East Coast.

I know the 7 cuft on the back patio with the 4 taps was costing me $1.50 / mo. I can't remember the cost of the 15 cuft in the garage, but I remember it was more (but not surprisingly more).

So, in essence, the electrical cost of running a chest freezer in a garage or patio in FL is negligible.

 

[jekeane]

the diy type can be done in fl but if you can I would certainly choose a chest freezer. from what i have seen from a few buddies, Bugs, mold, condensation, and general funk will all be increased with a diy insulation board setup

 

[SteveH aka shetc]

I use a Craigslist chest freezer plus temp controller in my garage, down here in Pembroke Pines. Gets hotter than hell but the freezer holds it temp.

 

[EagleScout]

These are the best plans I've found for a DIY fermentation chamber, you can make it as big or as small as you want and can add as much insulation as you need for FL.

 

[MBN]

I live in clearwater and have my fermentation chest freezer in the garage, and my keezer with four taps on the back patio.

I've put a Kill-a-Watt on them and measured the energy consumption. Not much. $1 or $2 per month, IIRC. Don't worry about electrical costs.

I get the impression you want to do something clever and improvisational. That's great, but in the end you'll be disappointed, have spent more money, and will end up with a chest freezer anyway. Just do it.

LOL...I have a 2 4x8 sheets of osb left over from building shelves and a bunch 2 x 4's as well, so that was my thinking for using them. Also, Fl garages are kind of small and I built a work bench that has lots of room under it. Kind of why I wanted to go that route. I like to build stuff and it's a great learning experience for me when I do. Plus the sense of accomplishment. I'm not too far from you I live in Venice. It's good to know that it is being done in the garage though.

 

[kh54s10]

the diy type can be done in fl but if you can I would certainly choose a chest freezer. from what i have seen from a few buddies, Bugs, mold, condensation, and general funk will all be increased with a diy insulation board setup

This is certainly true, I have mine in my finished basement, so somewhat humidity controlled. It needs a serious cleaning because of mildew. And sometimes I step in water trickling out from the bottom.

If only someone would make a good chest freezer that opens on the front and top....

 

[MBN]

These are the best plans I've found for a DIY fermentation chamber, you can make it as big or as small as you want and can add as much insulation as you need for FL.

Sorry I don't see a link??

 

[sleepspeaking]

I Craigslisted a deep freeze, and couldn't be happier. South Texas heat ranks right up there, and in my garage I can hit every temp I try for, and didn't notice any measurable change in $$/month on the electric bill.

 

[EagleScout]

Sorry I don't see a link??

Not sure what happened there.
http://www.nchomebrewing.com/diy-mini-fridge-beer-fermentation-chamber-build/

 

[KeyWestBrewing]

Passedpawn is right on point. My keezer sits in my mancave which is the same temp as outside unless the AC is on. I remember when I first bought the unit it had a sheet that told you an idea of what it costs to run. The cost was so low I want to get another one. That's not even considering it doesn't run all the time because of the Johnson controller which makes it cheaper too.

 

[MBN]

Passedpawn is right on point. My keezer sits in my mancave which is the same temp as outside unless the AC is on. I remember when I first bought the unit it had a sheet that told you an idea of what it costs to run. The cost was so low I want to get another one. That's not even considering it doesn't run all the time because of the Johnson controller which makes it cheaper too.

I have my keezer in my living room...I don't think I've ever heard it turn on. My electric bill went down after I put it in...LoL...don't know why...HA Ha..OK maybe I do. Had a bad A/C unit for the upstairs they had to fix. (New construction house.)

 

[Jim311]

People are always talking about how you can't run freezers in garages or sheds or like the energy consumption is going to be astronomical, but even if you run it as a FREEZER to keep stuff frozen the energy consumption is negligible. We're talking like 25-30 bucks a YEAR to keep a chest full of stuff frozen. It has plenty of cooling capacity to keep stuff frozen even if it's 90-100 degrees in your garage, so it can certainly keep 10 or 15 gallons of booze at 60 degrees.

 

[JayDog]

I know you can't fit a freezer, but I'm in Tampa and have a chest freezer. Doesn't run as often as you'd think. Just keep it closed.
The guys from keg outlet had a build for a fermentation chamber. I'll look for it and post it here. Didn't look too hard. I just don't brew enough to build something like that.

 

[JayDog]

https://www.kegoutlet.com/build-custom-fermentation-fridge-free-ebook-download.html

Posted it above. You have to enter your email for the free ebook. It's worth it, these guys are pretty good and don't blow up your inbox.