Fridge or freezer?

[JamieGalea]

Hey guys,

What is the best option to use with an inkbird controller, a fridge or a freezer as a ferment chamber?

I currently run a fridge but thinking to add another one.

 

[grampamark]

Any refrigerating appliance will work. It really depends on the space you have available. A chest freezer takes up more floor space, unless it’s quite small, an upright freezer or fridge takes up more wall space. I use two fridges, one for serving, one for fermenting. I have the luxury of brewing in a semi finished basement where space isn’t at a premium and I don’t have to try to make the appliances fit in with the decor of a finished room.

 

[FloppyKnockers]

I prefer an upright freezer. This way I can get cold temps for lagering and cold crashing. A freezer, by definition, seems that it would do a better job at getting down toward freezing temps.

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

What is the shape of your fermenters?

 

[JamieGalea]

What is the shape of your fermenters?

I use plastic fermenter, shape similar to a bucket.

 

[MajorJC]

I bought this one last summer and it has been working great for me. It can be set to Freezer or Fridge.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Midea-17-cu-ft-Frost-Free-Convertible-Upright-Freezer-Re/1001272580

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

I would consider the geometry and figure out what I want to get in there.

 

[day_trippr]

I bought this one last summer and it has been working great for me. It can be set to Freezer or Fridge.
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Midea-17-cu-ft-Frost-Free-Convertible-Upright-Freezer-Re/1001272580

Very interesting unit!
I have two questions:
- what is the warmest temperature the control can be set to?
- what happens when the power is interrupted to the unit - does it remember the last setting or does it go to a default setting?

Cheers!

 

[MajorJC]

I have two questions:
- what is the warmest temperature the control can be set to?
- what happens when the power is interrupted to the unit - does it remember the last setting or does it go to a default setting?

Copied from user manual

This freezer can be used as either a freezer or refrigerator (fridge) for
your food storage needs; however the default temperature setting is 0 °F
(-18 °C).
• Freezer mode temperature range: 10 °F ~ -11 °F (-12 °C ~ -24 °C).
• Fridge mode temperature range: 35 °F ~ 46 °F (2 °C ~ 8 °C).

When fermenting, mine is in freezer mode and controlled by an Inkbird controller with the probe in a thermowell. It keeps the last setting between power cycling of the controller.

Currently, it is in fridge mode and full of beer, soft drinks, kombucha, and bottled water.

 

[day_trippr]

Thanks for the follow-up. I like it. If I was going the vertical cabinet route I think I'd want to go with that type...

Cheers!