Fermenter build question and pics

[StrangeBrew78]

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Ok so been working on this the past couple of days. I think I messed up as far as the way I framed it. As you can see its all 2x4s. I think I'm going to have to add 2x4s along the base in order to form a good seal with the insulation and have a way to hang my door. I want to use the fridge door. It will have osb paneling on outside. I also built it up a bit taller to provide good air movement for the fridge. I have 2" of insulation under the floor. Do I need to add more to the top side of the floor? I also plane on making the sides and top 2" as well. Currently have 1" in place. My HD only had 1/2" sheets. So big pain in the ass. This should hold 3 buckets. I am by no means a skilled carpenter. But it is pretty square. Just wanting input on how best to accomplish this thing.

 

[JLeuck64]

Clever! I like it! Using the fridge to cool a larger volume of space! Awesome! I think the more insulation you can add to that will help tremendously. Also, if it were me, I would consider ditching the original fridge door in favor of a custom made door. Only reason I am suggesting that is thinking ahead to trying to wrestle 3 fermenters around in there through the original fridge door opening. Maybe you could design a door that would allow you access to everything but still provide the same insulation?

 

[dobes]

Couple things.

You want to make it as airtight as possible. If you have layers of insulation plastic between them works well. You want a continuous run basically wrapped around the whole thing minus the door and fridge itself.
You should also spray foam all your joints.
If you have to much air leakage your fridge will run a lot more and you will build a lot of frost on the plate which will decrease efficiently. And make it a pain to defrost/clean.

It would also be a good idea to add a couple computer fans to move the air around. I wired two of mine on the inside to run when the compressor kicks on and a couple on the outside (one directly on the compressor and two on the side of the fridge the cooling coils are on) to run constantly.

I would probably lean towards not having wood on the bottom but rather another piece of insulation and just a piece of metal for the floor.
The insulation can withstand a lot of weight and if you put a piece of metal on it it will be fine. Mine is basically a piece of duct and I have no issues. Can hold 4 cornies with no problem.
I also lined the inside with something similar to duct tin but thinner and flexible. Also siliconed all the floor joints and foil taped all the joints.

For the door it doesn't matter if you use the old door or not. I made my own for better access. I can crawl in mine. You just have to make sure you seal it up air tight. Can be a bit tricky but if you plan ahead and make sure you have the opening made to mate with the door you should be good.

As far as how thick of insulation I made mine 4.5 inches on the bottom and top. And my sides are either 3.5 or 4 but I can't remember.

I also have a temp controller hooked up that works great especially if I use it for fermenting.

Here are some pics.
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