I have a refrigerator/freezer for my kegs and beer, and do not want to buy another one, just to maintain fermentation temps. Want one to do ales and lagers (of course, not at same time)
My thoughts are to use a fermentation chamber (insulated plywood box) that had some means to be cooled by adjacent refrigerator. Either via air (like: http://www.franklinbrew.org/members/sj/ferm_chamber.html) or chilled fluid; either using fan/pump and temperature controller.
I think the added benefit of this is saved floor space by using the adjacent refrigerator.
I haven’t done it yet either, but am planning something similar right next to my keezer. The trickier part for me is the return, since they will be at the same level (I’ll cut through the collar). I don’t think I’ll have a problem with cold air spilling into the space, but in order to make sure the air will circulate throughout the space when the fan is on I’ll put in a little duct to move the return to the bottom. I think it will work out well.
I built a “Fermentation Box” a little over a year ago. It really works great!! I tested it down to 32F & it had no issues. I don’t run it like that though. ~64F for Ales & ~50F for Lagers & use the kegerator for lagering. Here are a few pics…
I’d been thinking along those lines… Hamilton- nice work on the mini-walkin cooler! No place to put one however unless I build something outside ala Jamil Z.
I’m going with a TEC assembly and thermostat if I can get the price down. That way I don’t have to swap ice-packs just like other guys.
When I initially researched it there was a guy that converted a metal storage shed. He just added a lot of insulation. If I recall he lived down south where it got pretty hot, but the shed stayed nice & cool. Cheers!!
can get the top within 5 Deg f of the bottom, three in one box, cold storage, keezer, fermentation cambers can hold 6 carboys or 2 1/2 kegs (fermenters) and 2 carboys. and 6 corny kegs in the bottom
It’s been a very long time since I took thermodynamics. Anyone have a calculation for determining how many BTUs of cooling power would be needed for a fermentation chamber? I’ve seen some online for choosing an air conditioner with various parameters for size of room, windows, etc, but I don’t think those are really applicable here, since with a fermentation chamber you may wish to cool to 30 deg. F.
I built this and it uses a $100 AC. I recently brewed my Kolsch at 57F internal temp(note thermowell made from old keg diptube) while the garage was around 100F. The AC probably runs less than 10 minutes per hour. I used 2 inches of styrofoam and 2 layers of the foil bubble wrap.
You all have given me some fantastic ideas! I’m leaning towards a built out chamber sitting next to a refrigerator and kept cool using air from the refrigerator via fans, PVC pipe, and temp controller. Seems fluid, pumps, and copper coils would add too much complexity. Keep more ideas coming
