Fermentation Chamber build, witty title coming soon.

[CU_tony]

So this week I decided that Ive maxed out my fermentation capacity at 4x 1 gallon carboys in a mini fridge from college... And I also decided it was time to do something about that!

My main concerns are having a small footprint, and at least meeting my near future demands/goal of being able to rotate 3 5-6 gallon fermentors through the unit while maintaining some automation to accommodate my work schedule.

My idea is based on one I saw in the DIY ferm chamber thread, which takes a minifridge vertical and builds a space under/in front of it.

But enough chat, here are the raw mats I got yesterday and the sketchup I drew last night (a little backwards I suppose)

 

[CU_tony]

A little measuring, a bit of cutting, and a pile of wood ready to use

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[CU_tony]

The front of the cooler, laid out and ready to glue and screw

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[CU_tony]

Front glued and screwed, the back frame getting ready.

Front and back assembled, I both bottom pieces ready to glue and screw, and the middle rails are clamped temporarily to make sure that everything fits and is square (ish) while being assembled

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[CU_tony]

More progress with the framing

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[CU_tony]

Frame done, making the side panels first since they are the largest and all the other faces will be made from the scraps.

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[CU_tony]

I've got two more pieces to cut and attach, then a rough sand and first layer of paint before insulation installation gets underway

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[CU_tony]

After a weekend of market research (beer festivals) and family time, followed by a long week at work, im glad to be making progress on the chamber.
Ill be bottling the last of my batches currently fermenting this weekend, so its imperative to finish this so I can brew again!



I started with a general sanding and trimming of any wonky edges.



Then I followed with my first coat of paint, which admittedly looks like a blind drunk monkey was painting today in some places. Luckily however most of the wood will get covered by another material in the near future, so all the important edges have a decent coat (and ill be doing a 2nd coat on the outside once I have the insulation stuffed and the outside panels attached.
I also really just wanted to use as much of this "oops" paint I got for like $2 a gallon.

 

[broadbill]

Where is the mini-fridge going? How will you make that connection? You will likely need fans to cycle that cold air in/around that inside space. I hope you can get at least ale temp fermentation out of that rig; you have increased volume that the fridge needs to cool by at least a factor of 3-4x.

 

[CU_tony]

Below you can see the general idea a little clearer. There will be foam weatherseal lining the opening between the mini fridge and the chamber. Im already thinking I will use some strapping solution to hold the fridge tightly in place.

I already have a few fans that will be placed within the enclosure and Im going to test a few options before making it permanent.

My mini fridge with temp controller now only cycles about 10 min out of the hour so Im hoping that with enough insulation (as well as moving the whole rig to an air conditioned part of the house) the fridge will be able to keep temps at a setpoint in the 60s.
Ideally I will keep the fridge full of liquids to help create a large thermal mass. Given that wort only generates intense amounts of heat during peak fermentation Im hoping that two stable carboys will help to offset the heat change of an active one, but we will find out!

 

[CU_tony]

I've got two sides cut, the back installed tightly and caulked. Laying out the rest of the 1" pieces for the body I pleasantly found that I bought too much insulation (it seems) and may be able to return 30$ of materials when I'm done!

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[CU_tony]

3rd panel shortly before installation, I may have extra insulation, but I didntbget nearly enough caulk... off to the home depot at the worst possible time :/

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[Elkobrewer]

Lookin good make sure to keep posting the pictures.

 

[CU_tony]

I'm using the simplest of methods to cut the insulation, a straight edge and a razor. The 3/4 sheets are easier to cut through, however the 1" sheets were easier to score and snap since they don't have a film layer on the outside of the sheets.

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[CU_tony]

Yup, I'm using home brew to hold down the foam while the caulk sets.

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[CU_tony]

I'm happy with today's progress, it was a nice slow pace all day which was fortunate overcast for some of the day.
I ended up getting one side insulated and attached the outer panel.
That means tomorrow all I need to do is glue the insulation panels (already cut) and attach the last pieces of plywood.
Then sand and paint.
Then I still need to figure out what I want to do for the door...
Also I need to bottle 7 gallons of beer, but that's another thread!

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[CU_tony]

I cut, sanded and am staining these strips to act as runners on the bottom level so that theoretically no crate or carboy will touch the insulation and mess it up

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[CU_tony]

And a close up after one coat, after I get back from errands I may apply a second coat, but we will see how it looks when it's a little drier

 

[CU_tony]

Below are closeups of the stained strips, some "biscuits" I made to act as spacers, and finally I have an idea to use some reclaimed old nails... curses wanting to be artsy

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[CU_tony]

One piece in, I kinda botched the end with the old square nail, but I can sand and touch it up. At least I know to drill a bigger hole on the next two!

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[CU_tony]

Wow, the difference between proper execution and not is huge...

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[CU_tony]

Much better, I replaced the runner that I botched up on the first attempt and have all these set with a screw in the back and a patina'd old nail in the front, I think that a few more detail pieces like this will help tie the chamber together.

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[CU_tony]

The last of today's accomplishments before diner and GoT.
I stuffed the last of the insulation, attached the last outside wall and sanded some edges flush.
Tomorrow after work I should be ready to paint and figure out how to frame a door efficiently

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[CU_tony]

Progress has been slow this week, largely because it's been hot out here in the Carolina's and working in an open warehouse this week hasn't left much desire to work in my outdoor shop/deck.

I have finished the main body and prepped it for painting.
I also finished the last cuts of materials and have started making the door.
I am making a laminate of two layers of 1" foamboard and 1/4" plywood sheet. That is setting now and hopefully I'll be able to frame in the foam with 1X3's tonight so I can prep the door for staining tomorrow.

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[CU_tony]

Schedules are for losers, today I got the door assembled and it's clamped and strapped to set for a bit.

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[CU_tony]

The door is set and I've cleaned up a few rough edges and am pepping for stain

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[CU_tony]

The door flooded with stain, then wiped down. I'm not crazy about hobbit turned out, I'll check in a few hours to see if I like it any better otherwise it'll probably get buffed down with some steel wool and get a coat of Danish oil instead of mahogany mixed with a dash of cherry for a little more vibrancy.

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[tjosborne]

Looking good so far!

 

[CU_tony]

Final coat of paint is almost done

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[Transamguy77]

That looks really good! Not to be a downer but as someone has already posted that is a huge area to cool and since the door opens out all your cold air will fall out. I made a ferm chamber last year Using a small fridge that only added a chest size of about 10 square ft and it takes a really long time to get to 62. I would try to do a test run and see how it goes so you can make some changes if you need to because it would be a shame to finish it and have it not do what you want it too. Good luck.