FermKeezer

[diS]

Thanks.

There is some condensation but mainly because of old freezers's lid (one on left side) which doesn't seal well. It is old freezer (I think from 70's) and rubber seal is became rigid, also freezer is not intended to sit vertically so lid has little gap on left side. Right side seals really good because of door fastener.
I'll have to put some insulation strip and maybe find out another solution for tightening the lid.

I was thinking to use something like hood latches that are used on race cars to secure bodywork, something like this:

or

 

[ryno1ryno]

That is real cool.

Still work okay?

I happen to have a spare vertical kitchen type fridge in my garage... I kept it after upgrading the appliances.

Anyway, is it possible to get the standard fridge to maintain temps as high as 65 degrees for fermenting?

 

[diS]

Sure, beer on tap on one side and fermentation on other.. keep the line

I don't see reason why it shouldn't work, heat it with hairdryer, bulb or other heat source, it should be fine..

 

[ryno1ryno]

Okay. I found my answer... now I see why a special fridge is best. Darn.


http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_you_need_a_wine_fridge#page2

 

[Brews]

Okay. I found my answer... now I see why a special fridge is best. Darn.


http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_you_need_a_wine_fridge#page2

I use a temp. controller that the fridge plugs in to. It has a thermostat that runs into the fridge and controls the power to the refrig. turning it on or off depending on temp. It seems to keep the temp accurate within 2-3 degrees

 

[ryno1ryno]

Bingo

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/johnson-refrigerator-thermostat.html

Thanks

 

[diS]

If you don't mind some wiring and temperature in Celsius, you can buy controller for about $20:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=stc-1000&_sacat=0&_odkw=stc-1000+farad&_osacat=0&_from=R40

 

[clarksc4]

Sorry if you mentioned it and I didn't see, are your fans temp controlled? I want to do this project, I have a Johnson controller already for the keezer as I think I would like to have the intake fan wired to run with temperature control. I plan to build a ferm chamber, I have a son of fermentation chamber that has 2 inch insulation foam that I'm going to scavenge.
Any advice on how to wire a computer fan to the $20 temperature controller you linked?

 

[clarksc4]

Also, have you noticed if the keezer struggles to keep the ferm chamber at a low enough temp? Do your air circulation fans have to run instantly since the keezer is at 40?
I would like to do this, I live in michigan so even in the summer my basement is pretty cool. I just wonder what the max difference below ambient the hammer can maintain without blowing out the chest freezer

 

[diS]

Yes, fans are controlled by STC mounted on ferm. chamber.
As for wiring, I can't remember but you'll get scheme with controller.

Keezer has it own controller, set for serving temperature.
I usually serve at 45 and ferment @min 59, so it can easily maintain ferm. temps.

 

[clarksc4]

Are you able to do lagers in ferm chamber or do you out them in the kegerator? I haven't done a lager yet so I don't know if serving temp would be too cold for fermentation

 

[clarksc4]

Maybe someone can answer another question for me. It seems that if you had a one way escape for hot air (a backdraft damper) you would save your compressor by not pumping hot air into keezer. I'm just trying to think of a way that the chamber can be cooled and allow hot air to escape. Maybe have a false bottom before the damper?
Edit: nvm, I just realized that this would basically make a vacuum in the keezer part unless there is make up air from somewhere else.