Fermentation Chamber

[rodwha]

I keep thinking about how I'd like to build this and what I'll expect from it.

First off I've been known to brew up to 3 or even 4 brews within a couple of weeks. So I'd like to have the room to keep them all at a comfy temp, but to build one that can handle several 6 gal batches would likely be quite large, and since we are still renting, I'm not sure of where I'd be able to store it. It may be I'll need to keep it in a back room and it'll need to be able to go down halls and turn corners.

So I'm thinking of it being a two tier system that can handle 2 batches on each level, and installing wheels so as to be more mobile and easier to handle. But then I'd need several doors, and I like the idea of the door being on top so as it doesn't let so much of the cold out compared to a front door, as well as gravity helping to hold it down for a better seal. But I'd think 2 tiers would allow for a greater temp difference.

What would be a minimal sized micro fridge for a project of this size?

And how do others keep several batches cooled when you have the one temperature probe? Use it on the newest beer and brew them so that they are a week apart?

And thinking like this I've wondered if I should, instead, just size it to handle 2 six gallon batches and either use a swamp cooler to help after the initial fermentation is done or even installing a window unit to keep the room much cooler (~65*).

We certainly like the idea of having a window unit in that we've had the A/C go out and it took several days to get it back up (apartment). It was very nice o have a room to hide in!

We don't like the idea that it gives an easy means of entry in the house, but Wile E gave me some fantastic ideas on how to secure it and make it look nice.

 

[rodwha]

Has anyone cut back a wall of the fridge for easier access?

 

[Brew_Dude41]

I have a 5 cu chest freezer, got it on CL for $20, that fits 1 plastic bucket on the floor of the freezer. I plan on only using this for a lager cave for a single batch, but for the sake of this conversation, I can put a small box that i put on the hump in the corner that comes to the same level as my bucket, I then can put another bucket or carboy off-set between the bucket and box. With them stacked, the top of a carboy with the airlock sticks a good foot out out of the top. I could build a collar for it, but then we are adding another 14-18 inches off the top of something that can already be a challenge for some folks to reach in to grab a 5 gallon bucket. Hence, i would also build the front with hinges so not only would the top open, but so would the front. To do 4 batches, I am thinking that you would probably need to go to a 9 cu unit.

You are looking a collar that has no cooling properties to it and will only adding warmth to the chamber, even if insulated. To try and even the temp between levels i would think that a CPU fan or two strategically placed could probably help but it might be challenging getting both levels the same temp if that is your goal.

The biggest challenge I see to the stacked approach would be the logistics of getting to the bottom buckets. Given that you are not brewing all 4 batches at the same time, you are going to need to pull them out at different schedules, and that means pulling out the top one or 2 batches to get to a bottom batch. That is just disturbing the chamber temp more, and a lot of work.

It may be best, strictly from a temp control perspective, to get the biggest chest freezer you can for the space you have to use and just fill it with as many fermenters that you can on it's floor. If that is the case, I also suggest you take look at the plastic Big Mouth Bubbler, it is taller but has a smaller diameter than a regular carboy or bucket. That might also get you an extra batch or two in there.