How Do You Get Temp Control For Lagers

[bosox]

I'm finding that this seems to be pretty complicated...I've searched around a few websites as well as my local Sears for fridges, and it seems I have either 1 of 2 problems. One being the fridges are too small, or have an otherwise uneven surface on the bottom to put a carboy in. The other problem is I can't find any fridge under $600-$700 that is big enough to fit the carboy but has so many extra features/space designed for a normal fridge that I simply don't need just for fermentation.

So my question is how do you guys make your lagers? Does everyone really spend the $700 for an oversized fridge, or is there something in the range of $200 that is big enough to fit a carboy in without all the extra non-sense?

Or is it possible to get one of those temperature control coat things, but use it to cool the beer rather then keep it 'warmer' in fridges?

 

[BadgerBrewer]

Check Craig's List of rchest freezers. Buy a temp controller and set it whatever temp you want. I have 2 of them (one for serving and one for fermenting) and they work awesome. I spent all of $50 for both of them plus another $50 for the controller.

 

[echotraveler]

Check Craig's List of rchest freezers. Buy a temp controller and set it whatever temp you want. I have 2 of them (one for serving and one for fermenting) and they work awesome. I spent all of $50 for both of them plus another $50 for the controller.

1+ Chest freezers usually are compact and perfect size, the controller is a most no matter what kind of refrigerator you get...i havn't done this YET, but people tend to keggerate their fridges and freezers.

 

[mojotele]

I just made a lager, and I'm using a chest freezer I got from Lowes plus an external thermostat. It's currently fermenting at a steady 50-52*F.

It can fit a 6.5 gallon carboy and a 6.5 gallon bucket simultaneously. And the good thing about using a freezer instead of a fridge is that you can get the temperature much lower. The downside is that it can be tough to lift things in and out of it. If you have back problems, that can be a real issue.

It works really well for ales too!

 

[david_42]

Look around for "apartment-sized" fridges. I've got a 10 cu ft that used to be my keggerator. Fits a carboy, wine bucket, or 8 gallon ale pail. Also, check stores that have used appliances. I paid $75 for mine.

Mostly, I do lagers in the winter.

 

[Wellshooter]

Freezers are cheaper than refrigerators any day. I'm using a 14 cu foot Kenmore and set it up with the Johnson A419 controller which keeps it a steady
52 degrees. I currently have 3 6 gallon better bottles and 2 5 gallon better bottles in it.

 

[JGB]

Try Craig's list for a chest Freezer. I picked up this one for $120 and I use it with a Johnson Controls A19 to regulate the temp.

 

[bosox]

Thanks guys!

 

[944play]

Does everyone really spend the $700 for an oversized fridge, or is there something in the range of $200 that is big enough to fit a carboy in without all the extra non-sense?

Yep, some of us repurpose our MLT and https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/recirculating-ice-water-chiller-38235/ pump in a temp-controlled
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/water-fermentation-chiller-81501/.

 

[FlyinkibbleZ]

a chest freezer would be nice...as another option i got both of mine for under $100.00. the ferm fridge will fit 4 buckets and still has a shelf in it for other stuff.

the other fridge fits a 20# CO2 tank and 5 corneys without any issues. To answer your question about the bottom being uneven, i just made a shelve of sorts to fix that.

 

[beerloin]

a chest freezer would be nice...as another option i got both of mine for under $100.00. the ferm fridge will fit 4 buckets and still has a shelf in it for other stuff.

the other fridge fits a 20# CO2 tank and 5 corneys without any issues. To answer your question about the bottom being uneven, i just made a shelve of sorts to fix that.

nice shelf....

i am going to copy this exactly...

(it isn't trademarked, is it?)

 

[FlyinkibbleZ]

ill hold sending off for the patent until after you finish yours