WTD: Dorm-size fridge recommendations

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by pointyskull, Mar 11, 2013.

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  1. pointyskull

    pointyskull Zealot (675) Mar 17, 2010 Illinois
    Trader

    I'm looking to get a better handle on my fermentation temps.

    My current situation doesn't allow me to buy a full-size fridge for the garage, but I do have a spot that a small "dorm-sized" fridge would fit (which in conjunction with a temp-control system would be the plan).

    Problem is all the ones I find have that "hump" on the inside bottom that prevents adding a fermenting bucket.

    Can anyone point me to a manufacturer or model that will fit a bucket?

    thanks....
     
  2. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    I offer two work-arounds:

    My 6.5 gallon primary would not fit because of the hump. But I found that by placing the back edge of the bucket on the hump and adding a spacer (4"x4") across the front it would just fit. This allows the bucket to be tilted just enough for the airlock to extend above the freezer evaporator(actually in front of it).

    My newer primary was slightly taller but less diameter. It would fit on the floor, but the shelves on the door interfered. The shelves were plastic, so nothing Mr. Sawzall could not handle. It looked bad taking a power saw to the fridge, but I had rescued it from a trip to the landfill. The bucket now sits flat, and Mr. Hacksaw reduced the airlock about 1/4" so it just fits under the freezer evaporator.

    Obviously your specific interior dimensions will dictate how you go. Just remember, all primary buckets are not created equal, it may pay you to check out different brands. After adding a digital controller, this was one of my best upgrades.
     
  3. Rizalini

    Rizalini Initiate (0) Jan 20, 2011 Nevada

    I have a somewhat similar problem, so I was reduced to doing smaller 1 gallon batches. I don't have a dorm fridge, but rather a mini fridge that fits (2) 1 gallon glass carboys perfectly. I know it's not the same, but it was the best solution for me given my situation.
     
  4. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    :grinning::grinning: quote of the day :grinning::grinning:

    I just looked for a new freezer today, nothing that meets my needs. Keep searching Al...
     
  5. sarcastro

    sarcastro Savant (1,133) Sep 20, 2006 Michigan

    inchrisin likes this.
  6. Dcv

    Dcv Initiate (0) Nov 12, 2009 Michigan

    Maybe a small chest freezer would be better for you. There are 3.6-cu ft chest freezers out there that may meet your size requirements, and any interior humps might be easier to deal with.
     
  7. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I've been hunting on craigslist for about 3 months trying to find a freezer under $100
     
  8. AlCaponeJunior

    AlCaponeJunior Grand Pooh-Bah (3,452) May 21, 2010 Texas
    Society Pooh-Bah

    Well I bought a brand new one for $170 on sale at home depot a while back, it holds my two fermenting buckets (one is an eight gallon bucket, slightly shorter, and needs to be because of the hump, but it works). I haven't seen such a deal since. Home depot now has a single bucket sized freezer for near the same price.
     
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  9. TheMonkfish

    TheMonkfish Initiate (0) Jan 8, 2012 Chad

    Another option if you have some basic tools - you could build an extension "collar" attached to the front of the fridge and mount the door on that. I did that (same issue with the freezer and compressor hump) - after adding on the extension (and insulating it) I can fit two full 6 gallon carboys with airlocks attached in the chamber.
     
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