Regular old refrigerator for fermentation chamber

[ChrisfromAbby]

I've been pondering the fermentation chamber, and see lot's of cool DIY builds using mini-fridges and freezer conversions. But, I got to wondering, "Why not just a plain old fridge?"

Is there any reason to not use a perfectly good fridge? Will carboys fit inside? I'd be happy if two would fit, as one seems not really efficient use of space. What about those 90's style "side-by-side" models with the freezer on one side? Would two carboys fit vertically in there? (Then the freezer side could be used for hops....)

Chris

 

[Roadie]

We use a plain old fridge for fermenting and it works great. We have it on a dual controller and use a carboy heater. Ours holds 2 6.5 carboys with room for blow off container.

 

[frettfreak]

no reason you couldnt as long as you have a good temp controller. the one on the fridge probably wont go as high. A side benefit to using a fridge vs freezer is you shouldnt get as much condensation on the walls and such.

 

[CJ1]

Mine is a fridge with a temperature controller. Where I keep it will never get too cold on its own, so I didn't bother with a heater.

Big upside is that 65 degrees in the fridge means proper fridge temperature in the freezer.

 

[Black Island Brewer]

One of my fermentation chambers is a regular fridge, freezer on top, with a dual stage controller and a reptile heater for heat. I can do 10 gallons at a time with a thermowell in one carboy with the other along for the ride.

 

[Singletrack]

Side-by-side for 2 fermenters is great. Using the freezer side for hop storage? Not the best. Unless you are doing a LOT of cooling, it would be better to keep them in a food freezer, because that will actually keep them below freezing temp.

My ferm chamber does a lot more heating than cooling, and since you are in Canada, I'm guessing yours will too.

 

[RM-MN]

I've been pondering the fermentation chamber, and see lot's of cool DIY builds using mini-fridges and freezer conversions. But, I got to wondering, "Why not just a plain old fridge?"

Is there any reason to not use a perfectly good fridge? Will carboys fit inside? I'd be happy if two would fit, as one seems not really efficient use of space. What about those 90's style "side-by-side" models with the freezer on one side? Would two carboys fit vertically in there? (Then the freezer side could be used for hops....)

Chris

Like mini freezers, refrigerators come in various sizes and configurations. You have to measure to see if two fermenters will fit. Some might even fit 4 while others will only fit one.

 

[AirAssault]

I'm able to fit 3 carboys in my old freezer on top style fridge. In the summer the freezer is great for keeping beer cold.

 

[Ramitt]

If your fermenters fit go for it, most of us use freezers or build chambers with mini fridges because they are cheaper, not necessarily better.

 

[ChrisfromAbby]

Last year I built a keezer. Love it, except for the lifting full kegs into it and the condensation. That's when I began to think about this project and it occurred to me that maybe someone has thought about this professionally already and called it a refrigerator!

 

[Roadie]

For fermenting no problem using the old fridge but the freezer compartment as someone else mentioned is worthless so ours stays empty. For our Keezer we use a chest freezer as it works out better/easier for us as we have 8 beers on tap. I dislike lifting the full kegs into it but that's why I have boys (men now at 26/23 years old).


Almost Famous Brewing Company

 

[wilserbrewer]

I started using a top fridge / bottom freezer for serving after using chest freezers for years. The benefits of a fridge are easier loading, and less to zero condensation issues. Condensation will depend on your local humidity, but on the east coast a chest freezer at fridge temps can get nasty mold growth!

Fridges work great if you have the room...a small apartment fridge say 15 cf would work great IMO.