Minifridge that fits carboys?

[nosnhojm20]

I'm looking for a minifridge that can be used as a fermentation chamber as space is an issue. I am the only beer drinker in the house so I think one bucket or carboy at a time will be enough as I can lager in the keezer if need be.

Any ideas? I really don't feel like adding a collar to an existing minifridge or trying to convince SWMBO I need another chest freezer (choosing my battles).

 

[Quadrupled]

For what it's worth, I've used a Son of Fermentation chiller until now, but am looking at both a Frigidaire (model LFPH44M4LM http://www.frigidaire.com/products/Kitchen/Refrigerators/FFPH44M4LM.aspx) and a Danby (model DAR044A2SLDD http://www.danby.com/en/US/our_products/refrigeration/dar044a2sldd). The freezer is removable in the Frigidaire and not present in the Danby. Any thoughts on what you're looking at?

 

[tmurph6]

Instead of putting a collar on the mini fridge i just carved out the insulation on the door. The fridge doesn't need to get real cold so you can afford to lose a little insulation.

 

[nosnhojm20]

Thanks for the input. I've got no further on the fridge search, mostly because I feel like a dead end and hence this thread. I do like the idea if just stripping the inside of the door, what model makes this easy to do with little other modification?

 

[nosnhojm20]

For what it's worth, I've used a Son of Fermentation chiller until now, but am looking at both a Frigidaire (model LFPH44M4LM http://www.frigidaire.com/products/Kitchen/Refrigerators/FFPH44M4LM.aspx) and a Danby (model DAR044A2SLDD http://www.danby.com/en/US/our_products/refrigeration/dar044a2sldd). The freezer is removable in the Frigidaire and not present in the Danby. Any thoughts on what you're looking at?

How did you end up with these fridges?! I am super curious. Do they fit carboy/buckets with little modification?

 

[govner1]

How did you end up with these fridges?! I am super curious. Do they fit carboy/buckets with little modification?

Here's what I did w/ a Haier. I finished the initial effort of a guy getting out of brewing. I put it on casters for easy movement.

View attachment 158061

 

[Quadrupled]

The reason for first selecting these were that these were converted into kegerators by others and provided sufficient space for corny kegs. When looking at them in person, I was able to confirm that the freezer appears to be removable in the Frigidaire, providing a clearing from the bottom shelf of about 20 inches. The Danby doesn't have a freezer and has a similar clearance. Also, there are floor models near me where I was able to take measurements to knock out any unsuitable models. Lastly it seems that if I'd be willing to cut the door milk shelf, that there will be an abundance of space.

I still need to check with a fermentation bucket and carboy to confirm space, but that's where I am at in my perusing.

ETA: Just to be clear, I believe that even without cutting into the door that if I remove the freezer from the Frigidaire that a bucket will fit. Again, I need to bring the bucket and carboy in to confirm.

 

[newbrewer001]

Two words----wine fridge.Remove shelves add temp controller done. Vissani is model i used based on article on this site but unfortunately it was being dis continued when i got mine.

 

[Quadrupled]

Two words----wine fridge.Remove shelves add temp controller done. Vissani is model i used based on article on this site but unfortunately it was being dis continued when i got mine.

I thought about the wine fridge because of the open space, but am considering lagering in this as well and, as I'm seeing it, the lower end temperatures for the wine fridge are often in the mid 40s F. Also, it seems that a lot of models have blue lights permanently on, though this can probably be removed.

 

[newbrewer001]

WIth stc-1000 controlling the temp it will go to whatever temp you set it. Plus you can lager it in the keg you will later serve it from and kepe that in your kegerator/keezer. I unplugged my light.

 

[JJL]

WIth stc-1000 controlling the temp it will go to whatever temp you set it. Plus you can lager it in the keg you will later serve it from and kepe that in your kegerator/keezer. I unplugged my light.

This isn't necessarily true. Refrigerators have an internal thermostat that has a preset minimum temp. Just hooking up a temp controller doesn't override that. The compressor will still turn off based on the internal thermostat setting. Even with a temp controller you are only going to get down to about 36F in most refrigerators, and even higher in wine fridges. If you want it to go lower, you have to either bypass the thermostat or adjust it to a lower temp. There are threads on here that discuss both of these options. All depends on what you are trying to use the refrigerator for.

 

[nosnhojm20]

The reason for first selecting these were that these were converted into kegerators by others and provided sufficient space for corny kegs. When looking at them in person, I was able to confirm that the freezer appears to be removable in the Frigidaire, providing a clearing from the bottom shelf of about 20 inches. The Danby doesn't have a freezer and has a similar clearance. Also, there are floor models near me where I was able to take measurements to knock out any unsuitable models. Lastly it seems that if I'd be willing to cut the door milk shelf, that there will be an abundance of space.

I still need to check with a fermentation bucket and carboy to confirm space, but that's where I am at in my perusing.

ETA: Just to be clear, I believe that even without cutting into the door that if I remove the freezer from the Frigidaire that a bucket will fit. Again, I need to bring the bucket and carboy in to confirm.

I'm excited to hear your findings! I do 5 gallon batches, this may be perfect.

 

[dyqik]

It's pretty easy to fold down the cold element in most minifridges to provide sufficient space for a carboy or kegs. It's also easy to remove the thermostat on them, to be replaced by an STC-1000 - on my GE, the thermostat unscrewed, and the electrical connections were on spade terminals. Just jump the in and out together, and you don't have an internal thermostat in the way any more.

e.g. as described here, as well as in countless threads on here.

For a carboy, you'd want to avoid trimming the supports for the lowest shelf, so you can stand the carboy on the shelf and compressor hump.

 

[fusa]

I've been using an Igloo FR464 It fits 6.5g carboys. The shelf for the freezer section slide out.

 

[nosnhojm20]

I've been using an Igloo FR464 It fits 6.5g carboys. The shelf for the freezer section slide out.

Really? Awesome. Any mods needed aside from just removing the drawer?

 

[redshift76]

I've been using an Igloo FR464 It fits 6.5g carboys. The shelf for the freezer section slide out.

Same here:

 

[nosnhojm20]

Awesome. What do you have taped to the side?

 

[redshift76]

Awesome. What do you have taped to the side?

Reptile heat cable, plugged into the heat side of the controller:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001OVBEEK/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[AlkiBrewing]

Really? Awesome. Any mods needed aside from just removing the drawer?

This fridge looks perfect for what I need, single Carboy fermentation chamber. Were there any mods, cutting door panel, ect?

 

[redshift76]

This fridge looks perfect for what I need, single Carboy fermentation chamber. Were there any mods, cutting door panel, ect?

No mods needed. I cut a 2x4 piece that's wedged between the bottom of the fridge and the center of the lower shelf to help support the weight of the fermenter.

 

[AlkiBrewing]

No mods needed. I cut a 2x4 piece that's wedged between the bottom of the fridge and the center of the lower shelf to help support the weight of the fermenter.

Thanks for the reply. Another question. Could you tell me about the fitting you have in the lid? Looks sturdy & clean, I would like to use a blow-off tube vs an airlock and your setup looks nice. Thanks.

 

[redshift76]

Thanks for the reply. Another question. Could you tell me about the fitting you have in the lid? Looks sturdy & clean, I would like to use a blow-off tube vs an airlock and your setup looks nice. Thanks.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/t/202033...&productId=202033078&R=202033078#.UoJdr_ke1uM

I used a Dremel on one end of the elbow to smooth/taper it for a better fit in the lid grommet.

 

[AlkiBrewing]

Perfect. I have a Dremel so I'll whip up a couple of them. Thanks!

 

[Virigoth]

How low can that Igloo fridge go on temps?

 

[ThreeSheetsBrewing]

I can't locate the model, but there is a Sanyo that works with a 6.5 gallon carboy also. You need to remove the door shelves and reglue the seal back on.



The cooling unit is bendable to give some extra height. And the hump over the compressor is big enough to hold two 1 gallon jugs with the 6.5 gal carboy in there.

 

[nosnhojm20]

Thanks for all the replies. I will do my Xmas shopping and if cash is left over I'll post pics of the "build"/results.

 

[nosnhojm20]

Same here: http://s804.photobucket.com/user/redshift76/media/BREW/Ferm2_zps8e4b2b3c.jpg.html

What are the internal dimensions? I'm looking for 16 inches so I can fit two better bottles in there. What do you think?

 

[redshift76]

What are the internal dimensions? I'm looking for 16 inches so I can fit two better bottles in there. What do you think?

http://www.homedepot.com/p/IGLOO-4-...in-Black-FR464-BLACK/203474029#specifications

No way 2 better bottles/carboys/buckets fit.

 

[nosnhojm20]

Gah! Typo. Meant 3 gallon ones. The supposedly are only 7.5 inches wide.

 

[nosnhojm20]

I bought the Home Depot fridge. The compressor was broken. Reordered and the design changed. Can't just slide out the freezer part anymore! I'm not about to be bending shyt to fit a fermenter, I guess the last option is a chest freezer conversion. Maybe will motivate me to do 10 gallon batches.


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