Mini freezer glycol chiller- anybody used this? which kind?

[SanPancho]

have seen that folks can be successful with 5gal batches down to cold crash temps using a dorm fridge. like this one:
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/metzens-mini-fridge-glycol-chiller-conversion.631203/

so that said, while i was searching for a cheap used dorm fridge, i saw a dorm sized freezer. didnt even occur to me that was a thing. in any case, seems like there's two formats, one with the exposed evap coils like you see in old school upright freezers, and then another where it seems to be a flat panel at the back of the box.

has anybody used one of these before? seems like the exposed coils would be most efficient for glycol. but i dont know about the other type- does the whole panel get cold? would that be more surface area?

and while the exposed coils look like there are two penetrations to waterproof, i cant see where the panel style penetrates. is it only one point? or two?

decisions decisions.

 

[fluketamer]

can you fit the fv in the fridge its just so much easier imo

 

[SanPancho]

if i had the room for a dedicated ferm chamber i wouldnt need glycol

 

[fluketamer]

I would build ferment chamber with the freezer door open and attached and lose the glycol. I hate cleaning ferment coils. And running pumps and lines and dealin with glycol. The only reason I see for glycol is if you run multiple fvs off one chiller.

I have tried what you are doing and burnt out a small fridge with too much cycling . But I know others here have had success with glycol res inside a freezer or fridge.

Looking at the pic again I seethe coils are in the shelves that’s wierd but prolly easier to put in a reservoir.

Good luck.