How big is too big?

[NorthMoonBrewing]

Hey guys, so I’m finally making the step to temperature control. Decided for the time being, due to limited space and Brewing at the fiancés parents house I going to use a mini fridge with a chamber built off the front of it. I built a brew table this winter for use with an 3 vessel setup which I’m no longer doing so I’m building it straight on top of it. (See photo) after adding the fridge, the chamber box comes out to be 42 Long, 26 wide, 36 tall. Now that’s bare wood, no insulation so it will get smaller but will an 4.3 cubic mini fridge do the job for that size of a chamber? Help, starting the build today.

 

[AllusionsOfGraindeur]

The answer is: it depends. It depends on how well you insulate and the temperature differential between the chamber interior and exterior.

Have you taken a look at this post (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/diy-fermentation-chamber.html) documenting a DIY Fermentation Chamber build?

There are some good tips in there. Also take a look at the comments, where folks bring up additional pointers, considerations, and concerns. I don't see a straight answer to your question there, though.

I think some of my primary concerns with a build like this are: fridge heat dissipation, moisture buildup, air circulation, thorough insulation, and fridge compressor cycling. Also, I'd consider the ease or difficulty of getting carboys in and out. If you are aware of and can solve for those challenges, then go for it.

For what you spend in time and materials, you may be better off picking up a used, open-box, or sale chest freezer.

 

[mongoose33]

It all depends on how well you insulate and seal it. By my calculations you're going to use a 4.4 cu ft system to cool what will end up being more than 21 cu ft. I have a 4.4 cu ft refrig I use as a ferm chamber and it's pretty good at crashing a 5 gallon batch to 32 degrees in under 24 hours.

If you're not planning on crashing with it, it probably will be OK for what you want, if you're trying to maintain higher temps. That is, as long as it's well-insulated.

Another issue is this: you're probably keeping the freezer intact, and on one end of this box. Thus, the cooling effect will be greater on the one end than the other, unless you have a small fan to mix the air.

 

[NorthMoonBrewing]

The answer is: it depends. It depends on how well you insulate and the temperature differential between the chamber interior and exterior.

Have you taken a look at this post (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/diy-fermentation-chamber.html) documenting a DIY Fermentation Chamber build?

There are some good tips in there. Also take a look at the comments, where folks bring up additional pointers, considerations, and concerns. I don't see a straight answer to your question there, though.

I think some of my primary concerns with a build like this are: fridge heat dissipation, moisture buildup, air circulation, thorough insulation, and fridge compressor cycling. Also, I'd consider the ease or difficulty of getting carboys in and out. If you are aware of and can solve for those challenges, then go for it.

For what you spend in time and materials, you may be better off picking up a used, open-box, or sale chest freezer.

In the future I’m going to, but I can’t bring anymore beer crap to my fiancé’s parents house or her mom may kill me. This is a temp fix for my temperature control problem until we get into our house next year.

 

[user 125772]

I'd be inclined to lower my sights a tad, and brew 5 gallon batches so that you can ferment in the mini-fridge for the time being... have a look at this thread. https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=522070
Surely your future MIL won't object to something like that .