Fridge vs Freezer

[MrC]

I've noticed a few people mentioned that they would like to get a chest freezer/temp control setup while others are interested in a new fridge.

What are the pros & cons of kegging setups using fridges vs freezers?
What setup do you have and what do you think of it?

[JoKing]

Agree with Glen. I have fermentation fridge in addition to my beer fridge/freezer. The kegs on the top (fridge) the hops in the bottom (4 kilos of US hops Including Cascade Chinook Amarillo Columbus Centennial Nugget and Simcoe). I had 5 kilos before - but I've been using them a bit ;p

[denimglen]

You really like just rubbing that in aye? :-P

[JoKing]

Why not? It nearly cost me my marriage getting them in there! I may as well chalk it up a bit!

[denimglen]

Haha, good on ya!

[Nolen Smith]

Thanks for the replies. Good point on using two different setups. I'll just have to convince my girlfriend that we have room for *another* beer fridge! I think I'll go with the Fridgemate for my existing freezer and use it just for serving.

By the way (for those interested), I was in the States over Xmas visiting my folks and ordered a Blichmann Beer Gun for bottling (http://www.northernbrewer.com/draft-bottling.html). Unfortunately, it didn't arrive before I headed back but my old man just posted it today. I'll be giving it a go in a few weeks.

[JoKing]

Get him to send us a kilo or two of hops as well mate!!

[Nolen Smith]

Sounds like you don't have room in your freezer for many more!

[James P]

It's great having parents back in the States... especially when trying to get equipment, instead of having to pay the USPS price!

[Nolen Smith]

Yea, tell me about it. Only cost him $28US to post the beer gun to me. I think the quote from Northern Brewer to send to NZ was about $60US or more!

[denimglen]

Nice, I got the ghetto version.

[Nolen Smith]

I *really* considered going that route but decided since I was going to be in the US and had a few US$'s from Grandma as a Xmas pressie, might as well buy a new piece of brewing kit.

How well does that method work? Do you notice much, if any, loss of carb over time?

[Stu McKinlay]

The gun looks very nice and I have wanted one before but it is now well down my list of brewing desire...

I just fill via a picnic tap. I'd love to see some tests done on "fancy bottling equipment v picnic tap".

I've stored beer like this for up to 6 months and have never noticed a problem. I served some 3 month old beer to a couple of budding beer judges about 18 months ago and neither of them picked any problem with oxidation (remeber that there will be a tiny amount of yeast in your bottle, assuming you're not filtering, so that will scavenge oxygen).

There was certainly no problem with carbonation - it stays in solution if you are bottling as close as possible 0c. Once the cap is on you won't lose carbonation.

My experimentation continues....