Kegerator as a Ferm Chamber

[Rob2010SS]

So I'm thinking about using my kegerator as a fermentation chamber. I have an inkbird temp controller that I could plug the kegerator into. My only concern is will I screw up the kegerator for future use as a kegerator? The temp on the kegerator goes from 32*F to 45*F. If I hook it up to the temp controller and set the temp on the kegerator to the highest, will I screw up the internal workings of the kegerator? Anyone ever done this before?

 

[krenshaw]

nothing will be screwed up, it would just be similar to unplugging it every once in a while which is really how those temperature controllers work.. always a good idea to put something like damp-rid in there or some other item to keep the moisture down though

 

[thekraken]

You're good to go! Your proposed ferm chamber is exactly how 95% of our ferm chambers work. I would leave the actual fridge setting on its coldest setting and let the controller do it's thing to regulate the temperature.

 

[Rob2010SS]

Should I put the probe in a cup of water in there or just have it in there loose?

 

[thekraken]

For a ferm chamber I would hold the probe against the fermenter. I take the probe, put it up against the fermenter side wall, about half way up, then over that I place a couple layers of bubble wrap or something as insulation, then wrap a bungee cord around the whole thing to keep it in place. The idea is to read and control the temperature of the beer in the fermenter, not the fridge. I do this with an inkbird and (diy) kegerator too, works good 'nuff for me. I used to use a whole brewpi setup with a half dozen temp probes and thermowells and fans and whatnot, I've simplified.

 

[Rob2010SS]

Ok. Instead of bubble wrap, can I just use some old beach towels to hold the probe against the fermenter?

 

[thekraken]

That's a lot of towel! A folded up hand towel might be easier to manage. You just want to insulate the probe to the fermenter and away from the outside air, you don't need to insulate the entire fermenter.

 

[Rob2010SS]

Ha, good point. Thanks!