Fermenter Question

General homebrew discussion, tips and help on kit and malt extract brewing, and talk about equipment. Queries on sourcing supplies and equipment should go in The Store.
Post Reply
Elbow
Posts: 45
Joined: Thursday Aug 14, 2008 11:46 am
Location: Moorabbin, Victoria

Fermenter Question

Post by Elbow »

Not sure if I should post this in this section or not......

I have just bought a Fridgemate, wired it all up and my brew is happily brewing at 12c in the outside fridge. However, I have just bought a keg set-up, so that will be going in as soon as the brew is finished and the temperature dialled down to 4c. I am trying to find a new spot for my next brew, given that my fridge is now going to be home to the kegs.

I have acquired an old computer rack/cabinet, which is basically an empty cabinet. Sort of like this:

http://www.widebandtechnology.com/detai ... %2042%20RU

If I put this in the garage, with a bit of insulation inside, would it be suitable as a fermenter cupboard?
Interests: Liverpool FC, Beer, Music, My Wife. Not neccarily in that order...:)
User avatar
billybushcook
Posts: 539
Joined: Friday Nov 09, 2007 10:10 am
Location: Hunter Valley

Re: Fermenter Question

Post by billybushcook »

Hi Elbow,
you can still use the cold from your keg/beer fridge to cool your new brew box,
Using your fridge mate, get a small pond pump, (240v & cost about $10). put the pump in the crisper of the keg fridge & fill with water, then you can circulate the cold water out, through the brew box to cool it & back into the crisper/keg fridge using the fridgemate as a control.....no need for another working fridge.

Heres a thread with pics of how I set mine up using a "Tempmate". Same deal except mine has a heating cycle as well!

http://homebrewandbeer.com/forum/viewto ... f=2&t=9035

If I was to do it again, I wouldn't use such a big heat exchanger/radiator (gives off a bit of condensation).......I would use a smaller unit with a fan, such as a car heater core & a 12v computer fan, to get the pump & fan coming in & out at the same time, just use the fridge mate to switch the supply to the pump & 12V transformer together!!!

Cheers, Mick.
Post Reply