WTD: Dorm-size fridge recommendations

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.

 

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.

 

quote of the day

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

 

The key is to find one without a freezer, so you have a smaller compressor and more space on the top. I have two sanyos similar to the below that fit 6.5 gal carboys, but I dont know if they make anything similar anymore. You probably dont need that much space for a bucket though.

http://www.amazon.com/Sanyo-SR-4912...erator/dp/B00158QNBG/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

 

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.

 

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

 

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.

 

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.