I’m looking to tackle temp control next and wondering if you guys (and girls) would recommend using a fridge or a freezer. I generally brew two 5 gallon ag batches at a time and I don’t think i could fit them both in a fridge, but lowering/raising the carboys out of the freezer doesn’t sound very appealing. I have a few buckets that would make that a bit easier, but still a bit unpleasant.
or would you recommend building a fermentation chamber?
I brew with a few friends, and we are up to 3 fermentation cabinets (6, 8, and 10 carboy capacity). We only need to keep the wort warm since we brew ales and mostly in the cooler months in the basement. Just a basic plywood box with 1" pink foam insulation, a 110 volt thermostat and a couple light bulbs in the aluminum housings from clip on light fixtures. Not sure what to do if you live in a warmer climate or brew lagers.
I use a freezer for fermenting and I can’t say enough about a brew hauler. I now have 4 of them and lifting a carboy out of the freezer is a lot easier using one.
I’m planning on using a freezer, because whether it’s true or not, in my mind I would assume a freezer might be better insulated than a fridge. I’m going to have to look into those carboy haulers. $13.50 is cheap money compared to spending a few days laid up with a bum back.
Better Bottles aren’t too bad for lifting in and out of a chest freezer.
I didn’t really have a problem lifting the glass ones in the chest freezer either pre-brew-hauler but I like the brew hauler for safety. If ones of those things broke half way into the freezer my hands and forearms wouldn’t stand a chance.