UnKeezing a keezer

[S-Met]

I'm storing some things for a friend who will be out-of-state for a few years for work. Many of the thing I'm storing, he won't be able to use due to space and lack of need. Among the items is a decent sized chest freezer. Since I have it I was considering converting to a keezer/fermentation chamber.

My concern is that it isn't mine (yet) and I may be returning it at some point. Is it easy to convert a freezer to a keezer, then return it to its original working state if necessary? Assuming that I don't drill into the sides or any other significant structure mods.

 

[day_trippr]

If you add a collar and run everything (faucets, gas, power) through it you can remove it and end up with a chest freezer again...

Cheers!

 

[Manufacturedevolution]

My collar isn't even attached. I used weather stripping similar to what is around the lid for the bottom of collar. I can remove it occasionally for a good cleaning. Only downside I've found is when a buddy comes by and leans against it. It will slide. You could add wood to fix that. I am too cheap and too lazy.

 

[BobBailey]

A simpler way would be to use picnic taps. You would need to open it to serve then.

 

[S-Met]

I'm good with the construction parts, but also wondering about the electonics.

I'm assuming that after unconnecting the temp control that the freezer returns to its normal function, but has anyone done this? Any unintended consequences? Did the unit last as long as expected?

If its mine, I assume the risks: no problem. But If I have to return it someday, I would like to be confident that it should continue to work as a freezer.

 

[mj1angier]

I use a Inkbird controller on mine. I use it for fermentation and to force carb so being able to adjust the temp easy is nice for me.

I think they have a coupon posted .

Edit: here is the link- https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/...ure-controller-welfare-of-coupon-code.650577/

 

[day_trippr]

[...]I'm assuming that after unconnecting the temp control that the freezer returns to its normal function, but has anyone done this? Any unintended consequences? Did the unit last as long as expected?[...]

If you use any of the "plug and play" external controllers and set it up properly, when you remove the controller, you're back to square one, no harm no foul.

That said, there's always the chance that a consumer appliance will cease to function.
You shouldn't have to bear a particular burden. If it dies, it died. C'est la vie...

Cheers!

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

I'm good with the construction parts, but also wondering about the electonics.

I'm assuming that after unconnecting the temp control that the freezer returns to its normal function, but has anyone done this? Any unintended consequences? Did the unit last as long as expected?

If its mine, I assume the risks: no problem. But If I have to return it someday, I would like to be confident that it should continue to work as a freezer.

It's generally difficult on the compressor to by cycling on/off as much as is necessary for a keezer application, especially if it's in a hot place like a garage.

I had a keezer die after about 2-3 years, but I had picked up that chest freezer from Craigslist for $100, and it was clearly old when I got it. Not sure how much life was left in it at that point.

My fermentation fridge is in the process of dying, although that's lasted about 10 years now.

If the freezer is relatively new, and you allow the hysteresis of the controller to be set a little wider, such as +/- 3 degrees rather than 1 degree, it'll help keep it going, and you're probably fine.

 

[S-Met]

Good advice. Inkbird 308 arriving this weekend. But probably a few weeks before I start that project. Too many other projects taking precedence.

@bwarbiany are you in engineering or bio? I don't know many people outside of those fields who appropriately use hysteresis in a sentence.

 

[betarhoalphadelta]

@bwarbiany are you in engineering or bio? I don't know many people outside of those fields who appropriately use hysteresis in a sentence.

I am, actually... Electrical Engineering.

 

[mongoose33]

A nothing-permanent keezer build? Check out this thread:

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/easy-peasy-no-glue-keezer-build-with-lots-of-pics.632550/

This shows how to build a keezer without permanently modifying anything. In fact, I won't ever do another keezer another way, as this facilitates moving it quite easily--the collar and lid can be lifted off and moved separately. In fact, my son--whose keezer collar I built and is shown in the thread--did just that as he moved it down a flight of stairs.