Thank you all for my ferm chamber

[Bill837]

So, graduated from Mr Beer not long ago, and did one all grain by accident (wife ordered the wrong kit) which caused me to build a mash tun. That batch was okay, but not quite right. I suspect my temp control wasnt as good as it could have been. I was very busy during the fermentation stage, and didnt do so well on controlling the temp.

So, I decided to build a ferm chamber. and having more time than money, a budget project it was. Costs so far......

Mini fridge - $10 Craigslist, Sanyo
STC - $20 Amazon
Framing - Free leftovers from other projects
Insulation - mix of leftovers, dontations from a buddy, and one sheet of 1 inch white faced poly ($20)
Ceramic heater - $5 thrift store
Wiring - more leftovers
Radio Shack project box - $10

I'm thanking you all since there is no way in hell I would have been able to do this without constant reference to the amazing amount of information shared and other places, but mainly here. I have a True Brew American Wheat extract kit in there now, has been there for a week and two days now, temp has never varied from the set 19.5 C more than .4 degrees. I have seen 19.9 and 19.2 but that's it, and I rarely hear it run. Some pics.....

Floor, and of course it's on casters, five of them, all freewheeling

Walls getting framed

Side view

Mostly done, enough for the test batch anyway. Plan is to after a while sheathe it in something nice.

top view. Fan is connected to an outlet doubleer on the cold side of the STC outlets, it shares with the fridge so when the fridge turns on so does the fan.

 

[Stealthcruiser]

You're welcome!

 

[kenny_d]

All your pictures are broken! I really want to check out your build. Mind reposting them or posting a link to your photo bucket?

 

[Bill837]

Sorry, did some rearranging and forgot to fix the links. Gallery here......

http://s798.photobucket.com/user/glhs837/library/Homebrew?sort=3&page=1

I'll relink the above ones in sequence.

Base with casters, five, with one in the center, all free wheeling.

Framed walls with first piece of decking.

First test of temp stability.

First batch in, blow off tube in back, with outer container for spillover. This shows the rough setu for the fridge door. I cut the flange section off the inner door skin and use that to screw the magnetic door seal to the inner frame I made out of 1x4s.

Not sure what I'm going to sheath it in, but whatever it it, it will get attached to the fridge door, and the hinges will be on the outside. Might be plywood, paneling, or perhaps reclaimed pallet wood. If I cold source some scrap sheet metal, I would love to make it up as a piece on USN support equipment compete with data tag, weight limits and capacities

 

[kenny_d]

Great work!