First off- I am an almost constant AHA and HBT forum consumer, but have never posted before. I wanted to share the build I just did for what is now a fermentation chamber with controlled heat, but will eventually be upgraded to cool as well for lagering and summer fermentation. Built for around $61, with only a razor, scissors, a screwdriver, and some wire strippers (and of course, duct tape). I have a couple before/afters, and maybe enough throughout the process to build a walkthrough if folks are interested.
Apologies for the fuzzy pictures- it was dark and the reflective insulation was shooting back the flash.
The heat is controlled by a standard light dimmer, and the heating element is a mat for sprouting seedlings that I picked up at my LHBS that also happens to be an organic/hydroponic gardening center.
Plan for cold is first to finish totally insulating the interior and lid. Then add a reinforced, insulated wall in the open space on the right (probably run two sets of dowels through the side walls to hold it up). I have a temp controller on order as of today, and I’ll run that to a computer fan in the interior wall. Then I just have to come up with a good way to hold ice in the space, and the fan will blow cold air in on the carboys when they need it.
