Picked this up today…http://www.homedepot.com/p/GE-7-0-cu-ft-Chest-Freezer-in-White-FCM7SHWW/205462818
to use as a fermentation chamber. I plan on primarily fermenting ales and will most likely use this for about a week- 10 days at a time every other month.
When I’m not using this freezer for fermentation should I be unplugging it? Keeping it open? What about something for dehumidification? Obviously I want to avoid any mildew/mold.
For sure get some damprid or some other dehumidifier, this will also help with a smell. I leave mine plugged in, but turn off the temp controller, so I guess that is like unplugging.
I unplug mine in between uses. I leave the lid open as well. After I’m through fermenting a batch I clean it out with a mild disinfectant. I plug it back in a day or so before I’m gonna use it to let the temperature stabilize. Been going about a year with it like this. No problems so far.
hey flbrewer I’ve been thinking about setting up a fermentation chamber too. but am torn since I am using the garage fridge for my kegs (and competing for space with the family ) so I’ve been thinking about a keezer too. maybe I go with another side by side and do a combo keg/fermentation chamber… decisions decisions. …
A very popular dehumidifier among homebrewers for their kegerators is the Eva Dry 500. A little bit spendy but they last for many years and work great – completely worth it IMHO. And if you go to a kegging system it could come in handy. One would keep your empty, unplugged unit perfectly dry.
I keep two of them in my 7.0 cu ft kegerator and even when it is full of kegs (6), it keeps the inside bone dry - free of condensation. I end up recharging the units (takes just few hours) every month or two.
What about DampRid?
I tried it before going to dehumidifiers. I know some guys like it but in my experience temporary, messy, expensive.
I use a 5 cf chest freezer as a fermentation chamber. I don’t use damp rid or other dehumidifier. I never have puddles of water or even condensation hanging around. The walls of the freezer do have frost when the freezer is on for a long period (when cooling down after a brew day.)
I brew about once per month. When not in use I unplug the freezer.
Yeah - sorry - didn’t mean to cause any confusion. I just figured that if you’re in ahumid climate with a closed, unplugged chest freezer that a dehumidifier would be great extra insurance against mold and mildew.
Neither do I ever get condensation in my fridge ferment chamber. It is an old fridge and I just keep the doors cracked when it is unplugged. Most of the time it stays on and is used as a spare fridge when not fermenting in it.
I mentioned how well the Eva Dry 500’s work in my kegerator, just as the proof that they work well as a dehumidifier.
So you let the freezer drop down to normal freezer temps between use?
No. I unplug between use.
Do these work without a fan inside blowing non-stop?
Right now the fan I put inside my kegerator is wired to turn on and off with the compressor. Do you think one of these will still work well for me?
I don’t have a fan in my kegerator and the EV-500 has been doing a great job for nine years now.
Edit: Should have mentioned I have a 15 cu ft chest freezer and in the Midwest it would sometimes struggle to keep up. Two would have been nice.
+1, but I keep two EVA-500s in mine to be extra condensation free. Mine is a 7.2 cu ft freezer kegerator.
Thanks guys.
Mine is also a 7.2 cu ft freezer conversion.
I have a lot of humidity inside already, but I’ve been opening the lid frequently as I’m just firing it up for the first time and trying to get the controller tweaked just right. Plus it feels like the air is about 100% humidity in New Hampshire today.
Ok so I’ve received the Eva-500 yesterday and put it in the kegerator directly in front of the computer fan. I’ll give it a few days and see if it makes a difference. If not, I’ll do some work to see if I have any trouble with leaks. I think I sealed up everything pretty good, but it’s possible it needs more work.