paparker21
Well-Known Member
Okay, so i really want to step up my beer quality game over the next couple months. I can't afford to jump up to 5 gallon boils or all grain, but i've still got a couple things that i really feel are *needs* to get myself consistent and really see some beer improvement. I'd like input on whether there might be a better project that didn't make the list or if something on the list can really be cut. furthermore, i'd really like input on how to most economically approach the various projects while still getting really good results.
Project #1: Beer serving solution
Currently my beer sits at room temp right now because i'm too cheap to run the fridge i bought for making a kegorator with just a single keg in it... i I need to solve this. As mentioned, i've got a kenmore bottom freezer fridge combo. Fridge and freezer have seperate temp controls so it should be okay to use for beer serving up top and hop / grain / frozen food storage down bottom. I'll still need to sink about 180$ in new perlick taps (I hate my old tap sticking all the time. secondary regulators are expensive so i'll probably just overcarbonate my stouts for now and deal with it.
alternative: so i don't drill the door of a 500$ fridge, i could scope out a 75$ chest freezer on CL and do a typical keezer build.
Project #2: Fermentation temperature control
I think i can double dip on the fridge... if I utilize a reverse swamp cooler approach. I'll do a heated water bath within the kegorator. Im curious as to whether the fridge's cooling capacity will out-pace the heating capacity of the aquarium heaters. I would probably need a couple of heaters to keep the water bath at temp. I really don't know if this is the best approach or not.
Alternative: i have a nonfunctional dorm fridge which fits a carboy snugly. It has a ruptured cooling line so it doesnt work - maybe i could use the frozen bottles in front of a fan approach to provide cooling and a ceramic reptile heater or heated wire wrap to give heating. Would probably give acceptable temp control at a fair cost, but does take up additional footprint in the apartment.
Project 3: Starters
Got everything i need for a DIY stir plate already. just need a flask and a bar and i'll be set. Cheap and will have great returns on investment.
Anyone got any thoughts? I'm very tempted to start drilling the fridge door tomorrow if that's the route i'm going to do. lol.
Project #1: Beer serving solution
Currently my beer sits at room temp right now because i'm too cheap to run the fridge i bought for making a kegorator with just a single keg in it... i I need to solve this. As mentioned, i've got a kenmore bottom freezer fridge combo. Fridge and freezer have seperate temp controls so it should be okay to use for beer serving up top and hop / grain / frozen food storage down bottom. I'll still need to sink about 180$ in new perlick taps (I hate my old tap sticking all the time. secondary regulators are expensive so i'll probably just overcarbonate my stouts for now and deal with it.
alternative: so i don't drill the door of a 500$ fridge, i could scope out a 75$ chest freezer on CL and do a typical keezer build.
Project #2: Fermentation temperature control
I think i can double dip on the fridge... if I utilize a reverse swamp cooler approach. I'll do a heated water bath within the kegorator. Im curious as to whether the fridge's cooling capacity will out-pace the heating capacity of the aquarium heaters. I would probably need a couple of heaters to keep the water bath at temp. I really don't know if this is the best approach or not.
Alternative: i have a nonfunctional dorm fridge which fits a carboy snugly. It has a ruptured cooling line so it doesnt work - maybe i could use the frozen bottles in front of a fan approach to provide cooling and a ceramic reptile heater or heated wire wrap to give heating. Would probably give acceptable temp control at a fair cost, but does take up additional footprint in the apartment.
Project 3: Starters
Got everything i need for a DIY stir plate already. just need a flask and a bar and i'll be set. Cheap and will have great returns on investment.
Anyone got any thoughts? I'm very tempted to start drilling the fridge door tomorrow if that's the route i'm going to do. lol.