Brewing Fridge

scblack · Post by **scblack** » Monday Jan 02, 2006 8:18 am

Guys, I need some help please in setting myself up a brewing fridge.

I have scored for my birthday roughly $200 and am going to put it to the best possible use, by buying/bodging together a brewing fridge. Most necessary, when yesterday's temps topped 45.2 celcius in Sydney.

I checked out K-Mart for a wine fridge, but they are in stock-take sales mode, and won't have any in until late February. Anyone know where I may get a reasonably cheap alternative than K-Mart? I'd say max.$300 if it could be new or good condition. Also tried a few other white goods places, but new prices start at minimum $500 or so.

My other alternative is a used big fridge, and a thermostat to keep temps at 10-25 celsius depending on type of beer. E-bay has plenty in there, so I can find the fridge easy enough, but what sort of thermostat do I need? I have a heater box given to me by a camping mate, but not sure if it's the right connections to turn the power on and off to the fridge. I have not rung any HBS shops yet, do they have the sort of thermostat required?

Have I missed an idea? Or any other advice would be great. I want to do this project easy enough - I'm a CPA and know very little about electrics etc, but am handy enough, so if someone can help me out, I'd be ever so grateful.

yardglass · Post by **yardglass** » Monday Jan 02, 2006 9:52 am

scblack wrote:Guys, I need some help please in setting myself up a brewing fridge.

My other alternative is a used big fridge, and a thermostat to keep temps at 10-25 celsius depending on type of beer.

scblack,
i running a THI 0*-40* in a 250 lt Chest Frzr, imo, it's much better than some fridge setups i've seen. (no chance of the fermenter falling out when the door is opened). It fits two Fermenters comfortably.

$113.00 with pstg. Just put the temp probe where the fermenter will be (approx), plug it in, set the temp and brew on.

http://www.adloheat.com.au/climate.htm

for alternatives to finding a cheap fridge/freezer, have a look at silkworm's thread on the same topic.

yard

yardglass · Post by **yardglass** » Monday Jan 02, 2006 1:15 pm

brewbox with adloheat controller.
Primary(left) is @ 11*C.
Secondary is @ 6*C.

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » Monday Jan 02, 2006 4:48 pm

scblack I use the same controller as yardglass only in an old fridge. It works a treat and the beauty of it is if I need an extra drinks fridge it can also be used for that.

The wine fridges are nice and neat and do a good job, but I believe a converted fridge/freezer is more versatile.

You can mail order the controller from Adloheat, or most HBS have them as standard stock.

Ed · Post by Ed » Monday Jan 02, 2006 6:51 pm

Hi all. I'm new to this brewing thing and only on the second batch now which is a lager. I'm using a large fridge with a simple timer. Basically have it clicking on for 15 minutes every hour from 10am to 10pm and 15 minutes every 2 hours for the night. As the fridge's own thermostat on it's warmest setting keeps it at 8C I figure this set up should do for now until I get to purchase one of these controllers. With the current set up I am able to keep the brew at a constant 14C while the fridge seems to be operating at between 13 and 16C. I'd obviously have to watch and change settings if external air temps change dramatically.

Ed

recharge · Post by **recharge** » Monday Jan 02, 2006 9:36 pm

If you want a controller on the cheap and are a little handy try the jaycar coolmaster for $39.
I recently built one with minimal electronics experience. Works a treat but the adjustment conrol is a little fiddly.

Shaun · Post by **Shaun** » Monday Jan 02, 2006 9:53 pm

tobins also have a kit one for around $40.00

Ed · Post by Ed » Monday Jan 02, 2006 10:38 pm

Thanks recharge,
But unfortunately electronics and I just
don't seem to work well together.
Ed

recharge · Post by **recharge** » Monday Jan 02, 2006 11:13 pm

Ed
Where abouts in perth are you?

Ed · Post by Ed » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 12:03 am

Hi recharge,
In Kelmscott.
Ed

recharge · Post by **recharge** » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 12:14 am

Oh if you were a bit closer(Im in Bakers Hill) id say drop one off and ill knock it up for you.
I built mine in work time (night shift)

Ed · Post by Ed » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 12:56 am

Hi recharge,
Yeah a bit far, but thanks for the offer. Where did you buy the kit?
I think I know someone who could knock it up for me.
Ed

scblack · Post by **scblack** » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 7:55 am

Thanks for the replies guys, Yardie, I reckon I will get the controller you've got, a little more expensive than I hoped, but if it works fine for you, at least I know I won't have to replace it, wasting more money in the process.

And like Shaun, I'll find a used normal fridge I reckon, versatile like you say.

Cheers.

One little question - my brother-in-law has suggested I put the sensor in a glass of water(near the fermenter), so as to smooth the readings. Is that really necessary, or is it adding complexity?

yardglass · Post by **yardglass** » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 8:10 am

sc,
as far as i know the sensor musn't touch any surface so as to work properly.

i've got mine suspended as close to the bucket as i can, i've also checked the temp in a jug of water that i had in there o'night, spot on 11*.

yardy

recharge · Post by **recharge** » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 10:26 am

ed
jaycar are in newcastle street northbridge

scblack
I have a big lacky band holding my sensor to my fermenter. Dont know if it works other models tho, but temp is always spot on when i check it.

Cheers

yardglass · Post by **yardglass** » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 1:46 pm

or..

before you go out and buy that Fridge, kill two birds with the one stone.

this is now my Project for '06.

http://www.oregonbrewcrew.com/freezer/freezer.html

scblack · Post by **scblack** » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 1:58 pm

yardglass wrote:or..

before you go out and buy that Fridge, kill two birds with the one stone.

this is now my Project for '06.

http://www.oregonbrewcrew.com/freezer/freezer.html

Hmm, an interesting idea. I'll think about it. Thanks.

Rubber.Piggy · Post by **Rubber.Piggy** » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 5:00 pm

yardglass wrote:or..

before you go out and buy that Fridge, kill two birds with the one stone.

this is now my Project for '06.

http://www.oregonbrewcrew.com/freezer/freezer.html

Great idea, but takes it's footprint is a bit big for my taste. If it were me I'd use a vertical freezer and install a strong shelf to spilt it.

yardglass · Post by **yardglass** » Tuesday Jan 03, 2006 5:11 pm

Rubber.Piggy wrote:
yardglass wrote:or..

before you go out and buy that Fridge, kill two birds with the one stone.

this is now my Project for '06.

http://www.oregonbrewcrew.com/freezer/freezer.html
Great idea, but takes it's footprint is a bit big for my taste. If it were me I'd use a vertical freezer and install a strong shelf to spilt it.

yeah.. i was thinking of incorporating the whole thing into a Bar, either by using the lid with a tower or leave the taps in their present spot and extend off the other end of the freezer at a 90* angle, a bit of timber, a few stools etc......

and whalaaa, a Bar.

Rubber.Piggy · Post by **Rubber.Piggy** » Wednesday Jan 04, 2006 8:38 am

yardglass wrote:
Rubber.Piggy wrote:
yardglass wrote:or..

before you go out and buy that Fridge, kill two birds with the one stone.

this is now my Project for '06.

http://www.oregonbrewcrew.com/freezer/freezer.html
Great idea, but takes it's footprint is a bit big for my taste. If it were me I'd use a vertical freezer and install a strong shelf to spilt it.
yeah.. i was thinking of incorporating the whole thing into a Bar, either by using the lid with a tower or leave the taps in their present spot and extend off the other end of the freezer at a 90* angle, a bit of timber, a few stools etc......

and whalaaa, a Bar.

An excellent idea!!

homebrewandbeer.com

Brewing Fridge

Brewing Fridge

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