Nice (hopefully) fermentation cabinet

[rocketman768]

So, with a hand saw, drill, dremel, and kreg jig, I set out to build a fermentation cabinet that looks like a nice cabinet on the outside. I gotta say, I really hate cutting plywood with a hand saw.

Base

Inner Walls (top unattached)

Insulation Added

Primer/Sealer

Next, get some oak veneer plywood or something nice for the outside, drill holes for the mini fridge coils and junk, and ask for luck.

 

[LazyPBar]

looks awesome. so did scrap an old fridge for the compressor and lines? keep the pics coming. cheers!

 

[rocketman768]

looks awesome. so did scrap an old fridge for the compressor and lines? keep the pics coming. cheers!

Yeah. I have a mini fridge that I'm dismantling.

 

[Thirteen]

Nice. I've been toying with the idea of a similar build but built into my bar (which isn't built yet either ). Looking forward to seeing your progress.

 

[Almighty]

I'm going to build the same type of cabinet. I was thinking fermentation chamber on the bottom using old fridge guts and storage on top for Mash tun and Kettle. I'm excited to see how yours turns out.

 

[RegionalChaos]

I think I'm going to go a similar route as this. I like the 2x2s to frame, and then 1/4" ply to make solid walls. I have the added bonus of not needing it to look pretty though It will probably go in an outbuilding. A few questions though, why mount the insulation on the outside of the plywood instead of the inside? I was planning on leaving the insulation on the inside, and the plywood on the outside, accept for the bottom, which I figured I would sandwich in plywood. Is one way better then the other? I have no clue

 

[rocketman768]

I think I'm going to go a similar route as this. I like the 2x2s to frame, and then 1/4" ply to make solid walls. I have the added bonus of not needing it to look pretty though It will probably go in an outbuilding. A few questions though, why mount the insulation on the outside of the plywood instead of the inside? I was planning on leaving the insulation on the inside, and the plywood on the outside, accept for the bottom, which I figured I would sandwich in plywood. Is one way better then the other? I have no clue

There's going to be a layer of nice veneer plywood or something on the outside. I.e. the insulation will be sandwiched.

 

[Almighty]

What are your dimension that you are using? I keep going back and forth on the size of mine. I think 24" tall by 11" wide(inside measurements) is the smallest you can make it for a 5 gal carboy. So what are you planning to have inside?

 

[rocketman768]

What are your dimension that you are using? I keep going back and forth on the size of mine. I think 24" tall by 11" wide(inside measurements) is the smallest you can make it for a 5 gal carboy. So what are you planning to have inside?

The inside dimensions are 27x27x15 inches. This is designed for 2 5-gallon carboys. It's 27 tall because you have to think about the extra height of the airlock. The diameter of my carboy is 11.5 inches (calculated by circumference), so that gives me an extra 4 inches of room. I'll make my doors 12 inches wide, so I'll have 3 inches between doors.

 

[Almighty]

Interesting, my 5 gal carboy is 19.5" tall (+ 4.25" airlock) by 10.5" diameter. I was trying to figure out how much clearance I need. Maybe I should go a bit bigger if I ever break my carboy and need to buy another and it might be the same size as yours.
Also have you thought of a design for the door, that is one thing I'm struggling with?

 

[RegionalChaos]

I'm gonna go with 30" height. I want to be able to fit cornies plus an airlock in mine. For a door, I'm just going to frame it in similar to a normal door. I'll have a wood across the top and 'studs' along the sides. Then just some hinges and a latch. I suppose one could just make a panel with a tight fight though, and no hinges, etc.. Just shove it in a pull it out.