Need input on parts for fermentation chamber

[autonomist3k]

I'm going to build a ferm chamber and so I need a pros/cons list on these things.

Johnson controler vs stc-1000? (I may have to add a heating element eventually)

Build a fermentation chamber out of wood and a mini fridge or convert an upright freezer?

If I do use a mini fridge, are the ones with iceboxes better, or does it matter at all?

And I would appreciate any input anyone has on building a ferm chamber that I may not have thought of already.

 

[prandlesc]

I used a 20 Cu Ft upright with an STC-1000. It has the capacity to handle several carboys at the same time. I also have both Johnson Controls and Control Products controllers. Both the JC and CP have functionality I never use. They also took dollars I'll never see again. The.The STC works great (except I need a Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion chart nearby), and can handle both cooling and heating. I later converted my upright to a dual purpose fermenter and server. So with some planning, I can have up to nine beers on tap - which I discovered last Thanksgiving to Christmas Season was a huge bonus. The photo below was taken last year before I added a nitro tap. I have the capability of holding 9 Corny kegs, and could expand the tap capacity later if needed.

Best of Luck.

 

[autonomist3k]

Damn that's a nice setup, so the act works just as good as the Johnson controller?
That makes me want to use a stand up freezer!


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[MDHarris]

I use a stand up freezer. Will hold two 15.5 gallon kegs with room on the sides for one gallon jugs of mead.

 

[autonomist3k]

how many carboys do you think I can fit in a stand up freezer? I wonder if I could build a shelf half way up to double the usable space.

 

[prandlesc]

how many carboys do you think I can fit in a stand up freezer? I wonder if I could build a shelf half way up to double the usable space.

I did build a shelf in mine and I've had four carboys in at once. Here's a picture of the inside with some corny kegs as a reference.

 

[broadbill]

Reading is fundamental....


He is asking about a fermentation chamber; you guys are all showing him your kegerators...

OP-to answer your question-easiest and cheapest is a used freezer (upright or chest) off craigslist and a temp controller....plug it all in and you are ready to roll.

Some people feel the need to reinvent the wheel and build their own chamber which usually involves a mini-fridge, plywood, foam insulation and a crap-ton of deck screws and liquid nails. What you get is a customized solution for about double the cost (unless you scavenge) without any idea if it is going to work well. How well is works depends on how large you make the fermentation space. Keep in mind that a minifridge can only cool so much space.

People love building their DIY cabinets (seems like this is only the real reason people go down this road), but if I were to guess you'd only be able to hold ale ferm temps and not lager ferm temps in a setup with an expanded fermentation space. Depends on the size of the fridge and the size of the space.

You can see which way I'm leaning

 

[autonomist3k]

Seeing all those kegs in there does give me an idea of how many carboys I can fit though, probably 4, which us more than enough.

I was originally thinking of building a cabinet with a mini fridge but that was my concern also.
I did the math and realized it would be more expensive, I was concerned about whether or not I could lager in it, and also efficiency do to it kicking on more often.


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[Snicklefritz]

I would go with the STC-1000 flashed with alphaomega's STC-1000+ firmware. I just built a ferm chamber with one of those integrated and its great. Handles multiple temperature profiles, ramps up and down on its own and reads in degrees F for us dumb Americans.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/stc-1000-a-464348/

 

[autonomist3k]

I'm set on the STC now, but damn flashing that firmware sounds hard!
I'm familiar with Celsius so that's not a big deal to me.
I'll have to do some more reading to try and make more sense of flashing that firmware.
Thanks.


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[autonomist3k]

Once I get this project done I'm going to build an electric rims, does the STC work for that?


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[Snicklefritz]

It's not as hard as you may think. I did it with like 5 wires and a piece of tape. MacGuyver style. I think the code is stable enough now that there shouldn't be many (if any) more updates so you likely wont have to flash it multiple times.


edit.....

I also just found a guy here on HBT selling them pre-flashed https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f41/black-box-fermentation-temperature-controller-480058/

For $55 this is about how much you would spend to do it yourself if you don't already have an arduino.

 

[autonomist3k]

Oh man I'm definitely buying that!!
Thanks for the link!

 

[MDHarris]

I can fit four 6.5 gallon carboys in my freezer but I have started fermenting in kegs. If you are using buckets I can fit four tall skinny buckets but only two short fat ones, like the ones you get from Austin.

 

[autonomist3k]

Yeah that's perfect for me.


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