Longterm Keezer project - hide from SWMBO

kraut · Jun 26, 2012

So I just started brewing, but long-time beer drinker since I was 12.
After reading the Jester keezer thread over the duration of three days, I decided that I really want one.

My plan is to have something that looks good enough to put in the house, due to local home regulations enforced by the SWMBO.
I showed her the keezer thread and there were a few that she actually liked

So since I don't want to purchase everything at once and make it immediately look like I am taking over the house with this hobby I want to get there gradually, also it will seem not as costly

So below is my six-month plan and I was wondering if it makes sense. The whole idea is to get the most out of my resources and get brewing as soon as possible:

I already bought a 7cf GE freezer and a temp controller.
I want to use the freezer has a fermentation chamber for the first three months, and to store beer at 70*. I am thinking of starting of with a couple of beers that need to ferment at that temp.
Over the course of the three months, I am going to get a kegging system for 2-3 corneys including all the necessary hardware.
Then I want to keg the beers that have been waiting patiently and lower the temp on the freezer to lager fermenting temps. Then brew my old hometown favorite Kolsch and another lager. While those are waiting patiently in the fermenter, I want to build the keezer shell. Once the lagers are ready to be kegged. I want to finally turn the freezer into a keezer. And have 4-5 beers ready for the keezer.

This way I won't have to buy/build separate fermentation chamber right of the bat (I might get shot if I'd buy a third freezer for the garage right now), can start brewing, have a keezer and multiple beers on tab when the keezer is done. And the SWMBO won't really notice the additional stuff until the keezer is ready to be moved into the house, which she is actually ok with (as long as looks like furniture)
Am I totally off base with this idea, or does it seem feasible?
Once I move the keezer into the house there will be room for another freezer in the garage

jbaysurfer · Jun 26, 2012

I think that's a good plan actually. My SWMBO accuses me of having a refrigeration fetish. What with the fermenter chest freezer, a standup fridge freezer, and a cooling/lagering chest freezer all in the garage and a double tap kegerator in the house. I'm going to sell the lager Chest freezer eventually and just turn the standup fridge into cooling, and just pick on, either, a couple lager batches, or a couple ale batches in order to minimize to one chest freezer for fermentation. I lucked out because some close friends of ours were doing a kitchen remodel and we were over there together and the standup fridge was out in front of their house. It's in fantastic shape and the owner told me they're selling it for 100 bucks, but they were in a hurry and if I wanted it (just kidding around) I could have it for 50. My SWMBO, wanting to help her friend out looked at me and said "go for it". We wheeled it down to my house, but SWMBO told me to get rid of one of the chest freezers.

On top of all this we have a regular kitchen fridge/freezer, and a 14.2 Cu Ft. Chest freezer for actual food storage!

jbaysurfer · Jun 26, 2012

BTW, I want to credit you for NOT actually wanting to HIDE things from your wife, which, IMHO will only lead to problems. Trying to bring your hobby along at a more measured pace is a whole other thing, and completely reasonable.

kraut · Jun 27, 2012

Thanks for your reply. I really don't want to hide anything per se. I mostly want to maximize the use I can get out of one small chest freezer over the course of six months, before I have the need to buy anything else. I already noticed that this hobby gets expensive quick with all the little things for brewing, a $60 starter kit from NB already turned into a $500 expense and I only brewed one beer.

Tiredboy · Jun 27, 2012

Depending on the temperature where you live, look for dual use. I have a chest freezer as a fermentation chamber and store which I plan to turn into a keezer. I live in the tropics so keeping things at larder temperatures isn't easy so lots is needlessly kept in the fridge. The current situation means I can keep beer, wine and a few other bits at a suitable storage tempearate so everyone is happy.