I was wondering if anyone here uses a kegerator for temperature controlled fermentation. I have had issues finding a compact refrigerator that would work. [I live in an apartment so things like chest freezers or full size refrigerators are out].
Obviously the dual fermentation/beer serving functionality also makes it appealing, even if I can’t always do those at the same time.
If you do use a kegerator:
Do you have a brand/model suggestion?
Were there any problems with hooking up a secondary temperature controller?
I have two chest freezers. One is a 7.5cf Kenmore that I converted into a kegerator and the other is a 7.2cf Magic Chef equipped with a collar that I use for a fermentation chamber.
They both serve me well and I haven’t had any issues with either of them. They are easy to use with a temperature controller like a Johnson Digital Controller A419 or a Ranco Digital Temperature Controller - Wired FE610. I have two Johnson DC A419’s Just plug the freezer into the controller and then plug the controller into an outlet and away you go.
your only concern will be whether you can fit the carboy/s into the kegerator. I’d imagine you can fit at least one. then as long as you’re using a temp controller, you can easily keep it at your chosen fermentation temp.
I have a Haier mini-fridge I use. It is just big enough to accommodate a 6 gal Better Bottle. A 6.5 gal bucket fits with plenty of room.
I don’t think a corny keg will fit between the compressor hump and door tho. Works great as a fermentation chamber, but won’t do the double duty as a kegerator.
The towel covers the glass door to keep the light out, until I get around to painting it.
@dano14041, I like that mini-fridge setup. Can you pass along the model number of that fridge? And if you have an estimate on the internal dimensions then that could also be helpful.
Sorry took so long.
The Fridge is 4.0 CF Model HC125FVS
The outside dimensions are 33 1/3" X 19 3/4" X 19 3/4."
Inside dimensions are 29 1/4" X 17"X 14 1/4" (H x W x D)
The compressor hump takes up 5" of depth and 8 1/2" of height from the back and the actual usable width is about 16 1/2"
I don’t know the price for the fridge new or used. I took this one out of my sisters storage shed and she hasn’t missed it yet.
On a whim I tried to put a keg in the fridge…
It Fit! for some reason I had it in my head that it wouldn’t so I had never tried to put one in it. :
Unfortunately, with the flanges for the shelves, a second keg will not fit. (Well ball lock kegs, I don’t have or remember the dimensions of a pin lock keg.)
Ditto on the Johnson controller. I took the shelf panel out of the door on one of my “college style” refridgerators and a carboy just fits. when lagering 2 carboys or a larger batch i switch to the chest freezer. I rigged a block & tackle harnessed to a Beer Hauler for lifting. Works pretty sweet.
I want to do the same thing, but only have one of the really small min-fridges. Has anybody had any luck in “blowing this out” to make a large enough box to put a carboy into?
I was thinking of just making an insulated wooden box using the cooling system from the mini-fridge and a digital controller to keep the temp at 68ish.
