I have a spare fridge. Temperature control?

[RobWalker]

How do I go about it? I've heard a search but nothing majorly conclusive yet - happy to have a read through some articles if anyone has any recommendations.

Am I looking to keep it cooler or warmer? I've got a brew belt, and I don't mind a bit of construction. We've got plenty of local scrapyards too!

 

[S0meB0dy]

You don't really need to modify your fridge. You can purchase a temperature controller that you plug your fridge into. Check out any of the big online homebrew shops. The only modification you may need to make is drilling a hole in your fridge to put the temp probe through the wall. Then you can either tape the probe to the side of your fermenter or buy a thermowell so you can take the temperature from the middle of your fermenter.

I went with the johnson digital controller + thermowell a couple years ago with my spare fridge and its great. I can keep all my fermentations within ± 1° F of my target temp.

 

[Bob_T]

You can build your own controller for $25-35 that will control both heating and cooling...
Just built mine this weekend and it is working great.

It's right here in the DYI section...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ebay-aquarium-temp-controller-build-163849/

 

[ChaosStout]

This is what you want. http://www.midwestsupplies.com/johnson-digital-temperature-controller.html Very simple just plug the Controller into the wall plug fridge into controller, set temp and your done. They also sell an Analog one for like $20 cheaper, but this one has all the bells and whistles

 

[RobWalker]

Awesome. Is this what I'm looking for?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-T...Control_ET&hash=item3a6a08ff20#ht_4684wt_1163

 

[ChaosStout]

Awesome. Is this what I'm looking for?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Digital-T...Control_ET&hash=item3a6a08ff20#ht_4684wt_1163

I dunno about that one does it have two plug ins, so the fridge can plug into it?

 

[Homercidal]

What voltage do you use over there? You might need to be careful to get the right one. I think the majority of the threads discuss the American electrical system. You may need to get a slightly different model.

The Johnson has worked well for me. I have to be careful this time of year as the temps can fluctuate between being too cold and too warm during the day. A dual stage would be nice for me.

I have looked into the Aquarium project and that would be a nice alternative too, but requiring a touch more effort to build.

 

[chairbornrangerx]

Anyone have their ferm fridge in an area where it gets cold in the winter? how would you keep the temp inside warm enough?

 

[Double_D]

Anyone have their ferm fridge in an area where it gets cold in the winter? how would you keep the temp inside warm enough?

I used a hair dryer last winter and it worked really well. But I'm in vegas and it's not as cold here in the winter.

 

[mredge73]

Ranco makes a good dual control unit for both heating and cooling (ETC-211000).

Lots of people in here just put a heat lamp in the fridge for heat.
If the temp will consistently be cold, then just use a single control unit (much cheaper, <$50 on ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/RANCO-ETC-1...ltDomain_0&hash=item1c13831b53#ht_2240wt_1183) and switch the control mode for heat.

 

[chairbornrangerx]

i would like to keep the fridge in my garage (so it's not just another appliance cluttering my basement)...

and I'm in Michigan, so hot summers, cold winters

 

[mredge73]

In Houston, toward the end of the year we can be 90F one day and 45F the next.
Same for desert areas to the west, where temperature swings of 50F between night and day are common.
Makes temperature control difficult.

For you, I think the single control Ranco will work fine.
In the summer you plug in your fridge and set to cool, In the winter you plug in your heater/lamp/hair dryer and set it to heat.