Fermentation Fridge/Freezer

[Gareth G]

I am in need of a fermentation fridge or freezer, to enable better control of fermentation temperatures.  I am wanting to get an STC-1000 (or similar) digital controller, with my existing heat tile for heating and a fridge or freezer for cooling.

I want something to put two 30L buckets in, to allow for a couple of brews at once.  Plus when I'm not fermenting I'd like to use it as a beer fridge to keep bottles cool.  So I'm looking at either a fridge or a vertical freezer.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to which is better?  I've read the freezers can be better as the compressor is more powerful so can crash cool.  Thoughts?

[Dan]

Im in the same boat, I was going to go the vert chest freezer as they have better insulation but pretty open. Ultimately it will come down to price and size. Keen to see what others recommend

[Matthew Vincent]

My 2 cents worth :)

Make friends with a local certified electrician (preferably one who deals mainly with refridgeration and has a keen interest in homebrewing!)

Set up a 'local search' on Trademe for fridge/freezers and ideally go and have a look at it before you buy. Take your two barrels/buckets to make sure they fit comfortably in what you're about to buy.

I'm pretty sure you should be able to get a good deal on TM for a fridge/freezer - from what I understand, as long as the compressor works alright you'll be sorted. This is where you need you're electrician mate to confirm this.

I've got the setup you mention above (my 2 x 30 litre barrels fit perfectly inside).

I drilled a hole in each lid exactly the same size as the airlock hole and have stuck a red rubber bung the same as you use for the airlock. Through this hole I poke a tight fitting 300mm long SS hollow tube that's got a polished weld plug on the bottom of it. This is where I put the sensor (I plug the top of the tube with a bit of bluetack so the air temp inside the tube is a true reflection of the wort).

I've also got a heat pad setup that I lean up against the inside wall of the fridge/freezer making sure it doesn't touch my barrels. I'm pretty sure it's best for these not to physically touch your barrel. From what I understand, when you sit your barrel on top of these, they tend to heat up the yeast cake/crud on the bottom of your barrel which in-turn can 'potentially' add undesirable flavours? (Open to receive critisisim if I'm talking shit) :)

Through following threads on this site, I've found eBay is the cheapest place to get an STC-1000. Just make sure it's the type that automatically switches between cooling and heating and that it's got 'free shipping'. (around $22 - $28 NZ delivered!)

[G S]

Lifting a 30kg fermenter into a vertical fridge isn't great for my back, it's not an ideal angle to slide the weight in at that height. Think I'd really struggle lifting a fermenter in and out of a chest freezer. After cold crashing you want to be able to lift the FV out without disturbing too much crud, this may not be easy from a chest freezer. Plenty people seem to use them though, perhaps they have a better spine than me!

[Peter Smith]

I use a fride/freezer where the bottom 1/2 is the fridge it fits 2xcarboys but is tight, I have policy of never lifting these unless they are half full, if bottling I sython 1/2 into bucket then lift carboy onto a half height fridge next to the fermenter and continue sython.... They only logistic issue is that you can only sython from the front carboy... You just have to think the brew cycle through or condition the back carboy a bit longer. I think of you have a chest freezer u would have to brew in plastic.

[Gareth G]

yeah I ruled out chest freezers as they would be a PITA despite the extra room for fermentation buckets.  Plus not as useful for refrigerating beer.  And they also take up more floor space.

[Gareth G]

Good idea with the rubber bung in the side wall.  But how do you get the 3 pin plug for the heatpad outside the fridge? 

One option would be to cut the plug off and then feed the power cord through, then re-wire.  But that means the pad would effectively be trapped in there and you'd have to disconnect wires inside the plug each time you want it out (if ever).

My STC-1000 arrived yesterday.  So nearly there!

[Matthew Vincent]

 

Outside of fridge/freezer -

 

 

 

Inside the fridge -

 

 

[Gareth G]

nice.  Have you got a second controller for the heating?

[Matthew Vincent]

Yeah - The temp controller on the LHS is hardwired up to the fridge/freezer to cool only. It's capable of doing both but I haven't got around to sorting that out yet (my electrician acquaintance is too busy to sort this at the moment).

The temp controller on the RHS soley controls the heatpad. It's a 'change between heat & cool manually' version.

The only time I need the heatpad is in winter and after about 3 or 4 days when the fermentation slows down. Once the fermentation slows down the temp drops right off.

I generally slowly increase the temp in the fridge/wort from about 17'C up to 22 - 23'C over a week or two to 'finish it off'.

Any constructive critisisim from longtime brewers is always welcome :)

Just for the record ... The front barrel is a William Warn EPA with 2 kg of DME (also steeped 60g of Mot hops in a coffee plunger prior to adding rehydrated Danstar Nottingham Ale yeast @ ~19'C).

The back barrel is a William Warn EBA with 2 kg of DME (steeped 10g Nelson Sav & 40g Mot prior to the same yeast above).

All experimental stuff ... might dryhop them both with ~50g of Mot for 3 or 4 days ...

[Lee Taylor]

What are you using as a heatpad? And where abouts is it, can't quite see it in the pic. Trying to find a good heat pad to buy - although not entirely sure it is required in Auckland??! In two minds as to whether get one, only just setting up temp controlled fridge now. Anyone with some hints and suggestions?

[paul m]

hey Lee, If you want to save cash a light bulb does a similar job to a heat pad. I plug in a desk lamp

[Lee Taylor]

Thanks Paul, is that enough heat to keep the fridge area warm?  Do you use a heat lamp bulb? or just normal one?