My new fermentation setup for lager

[zacster]

I wanted to do lager when it wasn't frigid outside, where the cold would make a part of my house so cold that I could ferment at 50-55. I already had a fridge for my keg, and I'd always wanted to use it, but didn't want to take the thing apart to make everything fit. I also needed a controller. So here's what I put together in the last week or two.



The two better bottles fit so perfectly in the space, with the door still in place with the shelves and can holder. I built the controller into an external disk drive box, which is nice and small but still large enough for a double outlet. And because the two bottles are square I can just put the probe pressed between the bottles to get an accurate enough internal reading. When I open the door the temp doesn't move because it is only reading the liquid.

Total additional cost (fridge excluded) was about $75. Not bad.

(One bottle got more trub than the other, but I made sure they both got the same amount of yeast)


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[NewBrewB]

Pretty cool. Did you take pics of the control box wiring?

 

[MrCrabby]

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but will the 3 gallon bottles sit up on the hump? (Without the three-piece airlock, obviously). I want to try to fit a 6 gallon carboy on the floor and two 3 gallons on the hump, but I don't want to drop $50 on the bottles only to realize they don't fit.
Thanks.

 

[NewBrewB]

Midwest supplies lists the height of 3gal bb as 19.5"

 

[MrCrabby]

I've measured, and the bottle itself would fit just barely. It's just hard to tell if there would be much room for a blow off tube.

 

[zacster]

And alas, that batch in my picture is now gone. Maybe if a third carboy would fit. Hmmm....