Fermentation chamber setup - Questions...

[morganm]

Hello and thanks in advance for any information and/or tips/suggestions you may have...

I recently picked up a True GDM-45 model (image attached) refrigerator and plan on using it as a fermentation chamber only. I'm located in Southern California, so I don't think I'll need to add a heating element as it never really gets cold enough where this will be kept, so would this be a good temperature controller to use?

https://www.morebeer.com/products/ranco-digital-temperature-controller-wired.html?site_id=5

Thanks again!

 

[user 204491]

Sure, the Ranco would work, but it's $100. I'd just go with the Inkbird ITC-308. It'll work just fine, even if you're only using it for cooling. That's what I use to control my Keezer. Plus, it's only $35.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011296704/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[Enemygod]

Sure, the Ranco would work, but it's $100. I'd just go with the Inkbird ITC-308. It'll work just fine, even if you're only using it for cooling. That's what I use to control my Keezer. Plus, it's only $35.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B011296704/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I second this.

 

[thekraken]

I like the ITC 308 too. You might double check the current draw on that fridge, looks like the ITC can handle up to 10 amps.

 

[Weezy]

It's huge! Sure, it'll work, as long as you don't mind the electric bill.

Try to find out what amperage or draws so got can pick an appropriate temp controller. Edit: if the ITC will work, I'll recommend that too.

Pull out the light bulbs behind the logos to save on electricity.

If you rig together a heating blanket for the fermenter and thick insulation over that you could ferment to things at different temps.

I know you said you're in a California but you might want to look into a heating element so y can have faster and more direct control of fermentation temps. That's a big volume to rely outside temps.

 

[kev211]

I'm located in Southern California, so I don't think I'll need to add a heating element as it never really gets cold enough where this will be kept, so would this be a good temperature controller to use?


Thanks again!

It's huge! Sure, it'll work, as long as you don't mind the electric bill.

I know you said you're in a California but you might want to look into a heating element so y can have faster and more direct control of fermentation temps. That's a big volume to rely outside temps.

Good point on the electric bill.

Where in SoCal are you? I live in San Diego and have never needed a heater. Even on the coldest nights my beer always stays right where I want it. I think there has only been 1 or 2 times where I wanted to do a Diacetyl rest at 72 or 73ish and could only muster 70, but thats such a small deal I wasnt gonna go buy a heat wrap.

Ive heard a lot of good things about Inkbird stuff, but just to toss another suggestion in there... I use the Johnson controller and love it. No issues whatsoever

 

[ba-brewer]

If you ever want to reproduce a fermentation sequence then having a control that can add heat is handy.

That is a pretty big chamber, what do you plan to put in there and what kind of beer will you be brewing? If you plan on more than one fermentor in there at a time then you might need something more complicated if you want to adjust the temp to drive the yeast or have them started at different times.

 

[morganm]

Hey, thanks for all the suggestions! That ITC-308 looks good. The specs for this fridge can be seen here: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/333411/True-Gdm-45.html so it appears that the amp draw is 10.2

I live in Newport Beach, CA and I wanted the extra space so I could have a 2nd fermenter in there. And yes, I will pull the lights out.

 

[thekraken]

Ooo 10.2, that's cutting it close for the itc. That might just be the start up draw and not be much of an issue. Hopefully someone who knows more about that stuff can chime in.

 

[Dcpcooks]

I use the ranco two stage on my commercial fridge. I added a 40 watt ceramic heater so I could get into the 80's for saisons.

Works great, doesn't cycle that often and it's perfect for conical fermenters.

There should be a switch for the lights in the top right corner of the fridge. Right by the temp selector.

 

[Gytaryst]

I have a couple of these:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0152LYY0I/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I've never had any trouble. One was on a fermentation chamber I built. I recently scrapped that, (it wasn't very efficient). The other is on a chest freezer I'm currently using. I'll probably get another chest freezer eventually.