Smallest Fermentation Fridge

[gio]

How do these fridges perform using the included thermostat? Any issues crop up using an external controller?

I don't see a point in using an external controller. Adjusting the thermostat, I can keep a beer at a given temperature +/- 1 degree fahrenheit with daily adjustments.

 

[Lobotomy]

I don't see a point in using an external controller. Adjusting the thermostat, I can keep a beer at a given temperature +/- 1 degree fahrenheit with daily adjustments.

Does it work well keeping temps in the 60s for ales? Is lagering possible with this fridge? It looks like the perfect size for the limited space I have and it costs a lot less than a small chest freezer w/ a controller.

 

[RogueGoose85]

Great thread! I've been searching for the smallest fermentation fridge/freezer, given my current living situation.

This looks to be a great choice. Pics and follow up were tremendous help.

The other one I was looking at was the Emerson 3.5cf chest freezer. Inside dimensions look to be able to fit a 6.5glass or a 5BB with blow off.

The additional benefit of the chest freezer would be to turn it into a keezer, as well. Although that's well into the future. But, by the looks of it, I should be able to use the avanti mentioned in this thread as a kegerator too?

 

[gio]

Does it work well keeping temps in the 60s for ales? Is lagering possible with this fridge? It looks like the perfect size for the limited space I have and it costs a lot less than a small chest freezer w/ a controller.

I was able to keep it at 50 degrees for an extended period with little difficulty. I haven't tried higher temperatures yet. It can go as low as about 35 or so for lagering depending on the ambient temperature of the room you are in.

 

[Lobotomy]

Thanks for the info Gio. Rouge, will that Emerson 3.5 fit a 6.5 gallon bucket or carboy without modification? The size is perfect for what I need.

 

[RogueGoose85]

Thanks for the info Gio. Rouge, will that Emerson 3.5 fit a 6.5 gallon bucket or carboy without modification? The size is perfect for what I need.

From what I measured, yes and with a 3piece airlock. Let me check dimensions again, thankfully they are stated in "interior " terms.

It's at target and sold also through amazon for 140.

 

[RogueGoose85]

From what I measured, yes and with a 3piece airlock. Let me check dimensions again, thankfully they are stated in "interior " terms.

It's at target and sold also through amazon for 140.

Freezer compartment:
H: 27.1
W: 17.9
D: 13.9

6.5 with airlock:
H: 25
W:~13

I'm bringing my Carboy to target to try it this weekend actually lol

 

[ayoungrad]

IMHO, get a temperature controller. I never, ever think about the temperature because I use this. It is EXTREMELY simple to use (plug the frig/freezer into the controller and then the controller into the wall). It does not require rewiring or any knowledge or know-how of any sort. It will cost about $70 for a Johnson controller but it is completely worth it.

 

[refect]

Does it work well keeping temps in the 60s for ales? Is lagering possible with this fridge? It looks like the perfect size for the limited space I have and it costs a lot less than a small chest freezer w/ a controller.

i am using a love temp controller with mine. mainly because i want the option to set my temp and forget about it. i am always busy so having to make constant adjustments to keep it at a steady temp wont work with me. right now i have a porter sitting in my avanti fridge fermenting at a steady 63-64 degrees. just set the carboy in, tape/insulate the temp probe to the carboy, set the fermenting temp on the external controller, and then wait for fermenting to complete. it makes things a lot easier (for me at least) using the external controller. i havent tried to see how cold i can go with the fridge yet. maybe one day i will try to lager in it if i can get it down to the temps gio mentioned. for now though i am mainly making ales in this fridge, but so far i love this fridge!

 

[RogueGoose85]

Just noticed that the Emerson I was mentioning, it's wide enough to do 2 3G BB also. Which is great for stove top full boils, splitting a batch for fruit additions etc.

I'm going to target today. I'll post results

 

[RogueGoose85]

Just noticed that the Emerson I was mentioning, it's wide enough to do 2 3G BB also. Which is great for stove top full boils, splitting a batch for fruit additions etc.

I'm going to target today. I'll post results

No good compressor really screwed me over. I'll be going with the avanti

 

[figgy]

Has anyone outfitted their avanti with a light bulb (or other) to keep fermentation temp. up if ambient temp is too low? If so, how'd ya go about it? It seems like you'd have to drill a hole in the side (and seal it) for the cord.

 

[refect]

Has anyone outfitted their avanti with a light bulb (or other) to keep fermentation temp. up if ambient temp is too low? If so, how'd ya go about it? It seems like you'd have to drill a hole in the side (and seal it) for the cord.

Not really sure about this or how well it would work. I am sure you could fit a decent size bulb in there, but you might be better off with one of those carboy heaters. Or possibly not even use the fridge at all, and just use a heat source instead if the outside ambiant temp is lower than what you would want to ferment in. Drilling a hole through the side and sealing it is an idea to run the cord, but you might be able to just shut the door on the cord as long as it's not too thick. I run my temp prob off my temp controller box and just shut the fridge door on the cord. It's a pretty small cord so the door is still able to shut. However, it doesn't completely seal by doing this so i cut some weather stipping at an angle to place on both sides the cord. That way when the door shuts on the cord, the angle produced in the door seal will have something to sit against (if that makes sense?). It doesn't allow it to seal completely, but it's sealed almost all the way and has been working great so far. One of these days i am going to cut a spot in the door so i can mount my temp controller in it and not have to shut the door on the temp probe cord anymore.

 

[ayoungrad]

Reviving an old thread here...

Does the Avanti fit a standard ale pail (marked up to 5 gallons but actually holds 6.5 gallons) with an airlock? Blowoff?

Thanks.

 

[McGarnigle]

Reviving an old thread here...

Does the Avanti fit a standard ale pail (marked up to 5 gallons but actually holds 6.5 gallons) with an airlock? Blowoff?

Thanks.

The Avanti 2.5 cu feet (or whatever it is)? It cannot fit a standard ale pail nor even a 5g better bottle. Actually, the latter will fit if empty and you hold the door closed, which gives you an idea of how close it is.

 

[ayoungrad]

The Avanti 2.5 cu feet (or whatever it is)? It cannot fit a standard ale pail nor even a 5g better bottle. Actually, the latter will fit if empty and you hold the door closed, which gives you an idea of how close it is.

Even if I dremel out the shelves?

I have a Nucool that required me to dremel out the shelves but then my ale pail fit perfectly.

Now my Nucool is more Nulukewarm so I need a replacement.

I'm looking for something that is quiet enough to sit in my condo living room and fit an ale pail with airlock or blow-off.

If the Avanti doesn't fit an ale pail, anyone have any suggestions?

 

[McGarnigle]

Even if I dremel out the shelves?

I have a Nucool that required me to dremel out the shelves but then my ale pail fit perfectly.

Now my Nucool is more Nulukewarm so I need a replacement.

I'm looking for something that is quiet enough to sit in my condo living room and fit an ale pail with airlock or blow-off.

If the Avanti doesn't fit an ale pail, anyone have any suggestions?

I plan to dremel mine and have read that 6.5g will fit then. But it won't fit until then. No idea about airlock vs. blowoff.

 

[C-Rider]

Sam's Club sells this one here in the islands for $113. I have 3.

One for beer ready to drink (holds 40 bottles)

one for conditioning

One for fermenting. I do 1.5 gallon batches and there is no probem fitting a 2 gallon bucket inside. I haven't tried but I think a 5 gal bucket would also fit, but the bigger 6.5 gallon buckets are to big.

I once had my "drinking" fridge turned to low and the beer froze, so I know I could lagar if I so desired.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/shop/product.jsp?productId=prod1260093&iid=Category|TOPSELLER|Large%20Appliances|3.2%20cu.%20ft.%20GE%20Compact%20Refrigerator%20-%20Black

 

[ayoungrad]

I plan to dremel mine and have read that 6.5g will fit then. But it won't fit until then. No idea about airlock vs. blowoff.

Have you used the dremel yet?

Can it fit an ale pail after this?

 

[ayoungrad]

I just picked up a replacement NuCool 2.8 from craigslist for $35. They are not easy to come by. I'm psyched.

 

[DaddyP]

The Sanyo 4433 will hold a bucket fermenter, but you do have to cut out the door shelves. Got one off of Craigs List for $40. Oh, you won't have to bend down the freezer shelf for a bucket, not sure about a carboy yet.

 

[chezhed]

Found this thread but not the answer I was looking for.

Has anyone drilled a hole in this Avanti anywhere? I have two of these that I cut the door shelves so my 6 gal better bottles fit, with airlock. But I want to run a blowoff tube setup and there's really no room in there now. Was thinking of running the blowoff through the side wall but I have no idea what this thing is built like...superconductor construction is unknown to me. I would probably also try to get my temp probe and heat pad cord thru side holes if I could.....these sit in my garage and at this time of year, I need both heat and cooling....days in 80s and nights in 30s....temp at night had dropped to 60 in fridge once so that's when i went with heater pad. Now I hold them within 1 degree. I stacked the two fridges and have ranco controllers...one in each fridge, one set on cool and one set on heat. It works well for both.

 

[MrManifesto]

the vissani 52 bottle wine chiller is what i have, $150 at home depot. it can get down to 45, i don't have a temp controller yet to see if i can get down to cold crashing temps but it can maintain fermenting temps no problem and can fit a 6.5 bottle/bucket with no mods at all. i'm hoping that cold crashing temps are doable (5 degrees isn't too much to ask of a temp controller right?)

 

[RogueGoose85]

the vissani 52 bottle wine chiller is what i have, $150 at home depot. it can get down to 45, i don't have a temp controller yet to see if i can get down to cold crashing temps but it can maintain fermenting temps no problem and can fit a 6.5 bottle/bucket with no mods at all. i'm hoping that cold crashing temps are doable (5 degrees isn't too much to ask of a temp controller right?)

More details on the wine chiller? Looking for model number or even a link. No modification at all for a 6.5?? Awesome!

 

[RogueGoose85]

I think I found it, clear door? That's nice looking. Are you using a 3 piece airlock on your 6.5 Carboy? Do you know if it fits the 6 g BB? Nice find, thanks.

 

[MrManifesto]

I think I found it, clear door? That's nice looking. Are you using a 3 piece airlock on your 6.5 Carboy? Do you know if it fits the 6 g BB? Nice find, thanks.

yeah, clear door, i use the three piece airlock and it fits no sweat, no mods. it's pretty solid. like i said, i'm hoping that i can get it to cold crash but for a single vessel fermentation chamber, it's solid. i actually had to take my saison out because it was too cold! it's settings go from 1-7 (7 coldest) and at 4.5 my brew was at 58. it'll do the job.

 

[MrManifesto]

oh i dunno about better bottles but it works on my glass carboy and that's like 6.5 or 7, WITH the airlock with space to spare.

 

[RogueGoose85]

im reading a lot of reviews that say it makes a loud popping noise after 4-5 months of use, did you experience this? Im in the market, and it seems its between this model with no modifications, or the avanti and cutting the door shelves off...same price

 

[MrManifesto]

I might have heard it once, but it still works fine, so I'm not sweating it yet.

 

[daveooph131]

Home dDepot has a vissan wine fridge on sale for $148 just got one today and it perfectly holds my 6gallon carboy. I think I could probably do two 3G better bottles if I did a split batch.