Freezer for fermentation.

[detz]

I'm looking to get a freezer(cheap) that can hold two 6 gallon carboys(or buckets) that I'll be able to control the temps during fermentation. Would something like this(http://www.pcrichard.com/catalog/pr...dftrk=gdfV2677_a_7c796_a_7c3452_a_7cFFC0723GB) work fine?

What kind of temperature controller should I get?

Was looking at :http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002EAL58/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20


Also, In the winter I had trouble keeping it warm but my guess is if it was inside this closed it would stay pretty warm as well.

 

[HexKrak]

I picked up the 8.8 cu ft version of that one. I did measure that one too (I'm almost sure it was the same model), and it would fit 2, but you'd need to build a collar on it to fit the 2nd one with an airlock on the compressor hump/shelf. Right now I have a 6.5 gallon better bottle in there with a rubber bung, and blow off tube (you can see in a picture here) that barely fits in mine which I think may be the same height. If that one is any shorter, then you'd definitely need a collar for better bottles or ale pales.

I'm running an ebay aquarium temp controller based on this thread, which controls the freezer cycling and can be used in conjunction with a little space heater to warm things up if necessary.

 

[Primevci]

I'm looking to get a freezer(cheap) that can hold two 6 gallon carboys(or buckets) that I'll be able to control the temps during fermentation. Would something like this(http://www.pcrichard.com/catalog/pr...dftrk=gdfV2677_a_7c796_a_7c3452_a_7cFFC0723GB) work fine?

What kind of temperature controller should I get?

Was looking at :http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002EAL58/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20


Also, In the winter I had trouble keeping it warm but my guess is if it was inside this closed it would stay pretty warm as well.

I started with that controller and quickly bought a dual stage look into the the love tss2 its great.. it heats and cools so i have a heating bulb for my heater and the fridge/freezer obviously for cooling

 

[detz]

What's a collar? Thanks.

 

[HexKrak]

You commonly see collars in the keezer/kegerator threads. Basically it's an extension you'd build where the lid currently rests, out of insulated wood/metal. Then you'd re-attach the lid to the collar so it still opens the same way.

You can see what I mean here.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/yet-another-keezer-build-155340/

It's just an extension of the walls, because apparently they build freezers 2-3 inches too short for kegging/fermenting.

 

[detz]

This one looks nice too. I wish they gave the internal dimensions.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_04616922000P?mv=rr#desc

 

[Primevci]

Here is a pic of my temp controller just one way of doing it...


2011-04-30_13-58-44_964 by DuncanIda, on Flickr

 

[detz]

Ah, I like that idea to just do plugs instead of hard wires. What do you use for a heater? How did you guys calibrate it so you know the liquid temp is correct since I'm guessing the sensors are measuring the air? What temp sensors work best with the TSS2-2100?

 

[Primevci]

i got the ts-61, i use a heat light, like a reptile one but got a heating pad from a demo job i would go with a heating pad if u are buying something maybe a reptile heating pad? not sure if there is one that can just be taped inside the fermentor thought i seen one..

maybe something like this?
http://lllreptile.com/store/catalog/reptile-supplies/heat-pads-heat-panels-heat-cable-and-rocks/