freezer or fridge for temp control?

General Homebrew Discussion
1

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?

thanks,

2

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.

3

6/8/10 carboy capacity!  I’ll need to remember that when swmbo or the roomates think i’m addicted to brewing.

I’m more worried about keeping the beer cold than I am about keeping it warm.

4

Are you going to use it for fermentation or storing kegs?

5

fermentation, I have a chest freezer already for kegging.  Not pretty, just four picnic taps but it does the job for the time being.

6

http://www.midwestsupplies.com/the-brew-hauler.html

I tried one of these out and it makes moving a glass carboy in/out of a chest freezer quite a bit easier.

They’re kind of a PITA to put on a full carboy in a freezer though if you only have one.

7

Currently I have a chest freezer for fermenting with a Johnson Controls unit for temp control.  The freezer is about 4 years old and no rust or moisture problems yet.  I also have one of these in there - http://www.williamsbrewing.com/BREWER_S_EDGE_SPACE_HEATER_P518C100.cfm

8

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.

9

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.

10

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.