Fridge/freezer

[brewskiez]

Anyone using a freezer just controlled by a thermostat at higher temps?

 

[brewskiez]

Is the heater wrap really necessary

 

[sirhc1210]

My keezer is a chest freezer with an external temp control that keeps it at 45 for serving beer. Haven't tried fermenting in it but i'd imagine that would work too. Just set to a higher temperature.

For fermentation it prob depends more on your ambient temperature. You may want a heater to get to the higher fermentation temperature for say a saison. If your Fridge/Freezer is in a garage and your ambient temperature is 60 and you want to ferment at 75 then you'll need a heater.

If you go the external temperature controller route you can pick up a heat belt pretty cheap... Inkbird just made one listed on amazon for $17. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=593340

Check out the DIY Section of the forum... There's lots of nice build examples of both fermentation chambers and Keezers/kegerators there.

Good luck!

 

[Rockn_M]

I have a chest freezer controlled by BrewPi that allows me to ferment at a specific temperature. If you need to get to a higher temperature than the outside temperature you can use a small heater. I use a reptile heating pad during the winters. It can take a little while to get going but once at temperature it stays pretty stable.

 

[brewskiez]

Thanks I live in Texas so normally I wouldn't guess I'd need one but if it gets cold I will.

 

[brewskiez]

I was planning to get that ink bird pre wired thermostat

 

[PADave]

I use a chest freezer with an Inkbird controller. I have never used a heater. Fermentation gives off heat. If using a freezer, you will need some form of dehumidifier, as lots of condensation will build up, which leads to mold. I use one of these:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BD0FN8A/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Works great, I usually can go 2-3 brews before having to dry it out.

 

[GPP33]

I did a Saison that fermented at 85. Used a space heater plugged into my inkbird. When it was done I simply plugged the keezer into it and cold crashed. Almost too easy.

 

[skraeling]

I have a chest freezer controlled by BrewPi that allows me to ferment at a specific temperature. If you need to get to a higher temperature than the outside temperature you can use a small heater. I use a reptile heating pad during the winters. It can take a little while to get going but once at temperature it stays pretty stable.

How do you manage it overshooting temps when initially cooling down?

 

[PADave]

How do you manage it overshooting temps when initially cooling down?

Cool down with your chiller close to fermentation temp. In the freezer, measure the temp of the wort, not the air. Yes, the air temp will be much cooler initially, but once things get stabilized in a couple hours you can keep the wort within 1 degree F. I also keep several gallons of water in the freezer to act as a heat sink.