Fermentation freezer room issue/adaptation? or shorter carboy?

[Leblais]

Ok.. So I just bought this 10.6 chest freezer:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/igloo-1...hite/6402129.p?id=1219222474741&skuId=6402129

and this temp controller:

http://ohmbrewautomations.com/

So I am excited... then I went to put my carboys into it and realized that it is smaller than I thought.... I can put 1 of my 6.5 gallon glass carboys, one that is a skinny 6 gallon one and then a 5 gallon one all in the bottom. I tried to put the 5 gallon one on the hump and it wont close even without an air lock. SO.. I need about 4 or so inches in height to get it in there. Has anyone ever raised the top a bit ? How would you do it without screwing with it too much?
OR

Has anyone heard of a square or a squat fermenter that would be closer to 15 inches tall??

As always, any input would be helpful!

 

[MaxStout]

Ok.. So I just bought this 10.6 chest freezer:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/igloo-1...hite/6402129.p?id=1219222474741&skuId=6402129

and this temp controller:

http://ohmbrewautomations.com/

So I am excited... then I went to put my carboys into it and realized that it is smaller than I thought.... I can put 1 of my 6.5 gallon glass carboys, one that is a skinny 6 gallon one and then a 5 gallon one all in the bottom. I tried to put the 5 gallon one on the hump and it wont close even without an air lock. SO.. I need about 4 or so inches in height to get it in there. Has anyone ever raised the top a bit ? How would you do it without screwing with it too much?
OR

Has anyone heard of a square or a squat fermenter that would be closer to 15 inches tall??

As always, any input would be helpful!

You can raise the top by building a collar made from 2x lumber. Remove the lid's hinges, install the collar then re-attach the lid atop the collar. Use some weatherstripping so the lid seals.

Search the site, as there are lots of DIY builds with pics that you can use as a guide.

Edit: Check this one out.

 

[Leblais]

Cool! BUT-- The freezer is insulated and I assume that wood isn't rated the same as the rest of the freezer... wouldn't it make it less effective for maintaining temps and/or kicking on/off the freezer/heating ? I noticed someone did insulate it though...

 

[IslandLizard]

Put some 2" rigid foam on the inside of the collar.

The lids of many of the newer freezers are very thin and poorly insulated, a layer of that foam underneath will increase efficiency too.

 

[Leblais]

I think that is what I will do then. Do they sell this foam at Home depot?

Put some 2" rigid foam on the inside of the collar.

The lids of many of the newer freezers are very thin and poorly insulated, a layer of that foam underneath will increase efficiency too.

 

[jakenbacon]

yessir

 

[Leblais]

I think I am going to buy 4 of the new big mouth plastic carboys instead. They are 6.5 gallons each and they are only 11 inches wide. This would allow for 4 of them to fit perfectly and still leave the hump unused!