Fermentation Fridge Project

[Jim]

I've already got a cool box that I made a few years ago, but I've been hampered by having to use the same one for both fermentation and serving. So I asked around at work and finally ended up with this, that someone's parents were getting rid of as they were getting a new kitchen: -







So now just need to order a tube heater, dig out my spare ATC800 and build a platform to stand the fermenter on! Happy days!

[Twistedfinger]

Great Score there Jim..will keep you busy over the weekend..

[AnthonyUK]

Looks to be perfect for brewing!

[Jim]

I had a bit time this afternoon, so I've made a start.

Plywood for fermenter shelf cut to size: -


Some legs to take the weight: -


The base of the fridge has a protrusion (which houses the works)...


...so the legs have to be placed to avoid it.


So just need to fix the legs to the base now, then do any necessary trimming to make sure it doesn't rock. I may fit a central leg if there's any sagging but I don't anticipate there will be.

The intention is to fit the heater to the bottom of the wooden shelf - as it'll only be 40w, I don't think the heat will affect the wood - unless anyone has had experience to the contrary??

[themadhippy]

The intention is to fit the heater to the bottom of the wooden shelf

might be an idea to drill some holes in the wood to make it easier for the heat to rise

[Jim]

The intention is to fit the heater to the bottom of the wooden shelf

might be an idea to drill some holes in the wood to make it easier for the heat to rise

Good idea.

[Jim]

Does anyone know if there's likely to be any pipework in the side panels of these larder fridges? It looks to me like all the cooling pipework is inside the fridge high up at the back on a kind of panel.

EDIT: you can see the panel clearly on the second photo of my original post.

[BarnsleyBrewer]

Is that an old Electrolux?? they last forever...

Nice build Jim.

BB

[stevetk189]

Does anyone know if there's likely to be any pipework in the side panels of these larder fridges? It looks to me like all the cooling pipework is inside the fridge high up at the back on a kind of panel.

EDIT: you can see the panel clearly on the second photo of my original post.

I'd guess you're right, I've yet to come across a smaller type fridge with pipework in the sides. I've seen some American DIY brew fridge vids mentioning cooling pipes in the door and sides but I think fridges with that kind of plumbing inside would be pretty well priced out of the general domestic fridge market.

If you drill through and hit a pipe however everything I wrote above was never written. [obi-wan kenobi] you didn't read any of that [/obi-wan kenobi]

[boingy]

The biggest problem is the humidity and eventually it will get hold of the wood. I'm planning to move away from fermenting in a fridge. The condensation, humidity and warmth create a perfect environment for mildew and mould.

The interior of your fridge looks fairly unfussy but mine has a thousand and one places that are difficult to keep clean. Twice I've found grey furry mould growing on the fridge interior during a ferment. The beer has been fine but I'm currently working on adding an external cooling coil to a stainless pot so I can dump the fridge and use an adapted flash chiller to maintain the temperature. I'll maybe post details if my plan works!

[Jim]

The biggest problem is the humidity and eventually it will get hold of the wood. I'm planning to move away from fermenting in a fridge. The condensation, humidity and warmth create a perfect environment for mildew and mould.

The interior of your fridge looks fairly unfussy but mine has a thousand and one places that are difficult to keep clean. Twice I've found grey furry mould growing on the fridge interior during a ferment. The beer has been fine but I'm currently working on adding an external cooling coil to a stainless pot so I can dump the fridge and use an adapted flash chiller to maintain the temperature. I'll maybe post details if my plan works!

Sounds interesting. I'm intending to use polyurethane varnish on the wood in an attempt to reduce moisture absorption, but you're right - I get some mould in my big cool box.

Nevertheless, I press on!

The stand is finished....


...and using a handy full barrel of beer.....


...shows no significant deflection - so no need for a middle leg. I was a bit unhappy with the terminology anyway.


I've ordered the heater, so just have to: -

-Varnish the wood
-Fit the heater
-Drill the side of the fridge for the cables
-Wire up the ATC800
-Stand back and admire my handywork

[Hogarth]

Nice work, Jim.

I'm fairly certain there'd be no pipes in the side walls, but the thing to do is to drill v. carefully through the plastic inside wall, then use a nail or something to pick through the insulation to make sure it's all clear. Of course, you probably knew that already.

[Jim]

Is that an old Electrolux?? they last forever... ....

Yep.

...I'm fairly certain there'd be no pipes in the side walls, but the thing to do is to drill v. carefully through the plastic inside wall, then use a nail or something to pick through the insulation to make sure it's all clear. Of course, you probably knew that already.

Sounds like a plan!

[Kelbrew]

I did similar but kept the glass shelf in and cut a piece of aluminium sheet over it for strength. (After this pic was taken )
This still left me with the storage draws underneath............

[Fil]

If the fridge has a drain hole for drip removal you might be able to feed your cables thru that rather than drill any new holes?