Fermentation Refrigerator

[The_Traveling_Brewer]

I just moved from an apartment to a house. I can now brew at my own home... As soon as I get a fermentation refrigerator. I have a 6 gallon carboy that I want to fit in it. Right now there is a 4.4 cubic foot kenmore on craigslist for $80 or best offer. Will this be good for me? I'd also love any recommendations anyone has.

 

[TopherM]

Guess that all depends on the dimensions of your bucket and the dimensions of the fridge!

Mini fridges are typically too small for a normal fermentation bucket. The go to mini fridge for kegerators and fermenters is the Sanyo 4912, which is pretty big. By the time you get to that size, I personally would rather have a small chest freezer, as they are more energy efficient than a fridge (more insulation), and capable of a wider temp range.

Anyway, you have to measure! Cubic feet don't mean that much, you need the H/W/D of your bucket and the H/W/D of the interior of the fridge/freezer!

 

[Minbari]

also dont forget to ask if it is the type where the shelves are the cooling coils. alot of older style mini fridge/freezers are made that way and the shelves are not removable.

 

[The_Traveling_Brewer]

Thanks a lot. I originally thought of a chest freezer. Do those work ok with the plug in thermostats? I read on one of websites that makes them that they recommend not using them with freezers because if it malfunctioned it could freeze everything.

 

[Minbari]

depends on the freezer. if you dont bypass the internal thermostat, set it for about 35° or so and it wont ever get to freezing (assuming it will allow you to set it that high)

it is true though, if the temp controller went ape-$hit, then it could freeze your wort solid. not sure how often that would happen.

 

[TopherM]

I guess it's a possibility. It's also a possibility that the thermostat could catch fire and burn down your house, or short circuit and electrocute you. I just prefer to assume it's going to function as designed. They don't malfunction very often.