Figuring out the right fridge/cooler

Discussion in 'Cellaring / Aging Beer' started by phroztbyt3, Jan 21, 2016.

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  1. phroztbyt3

    phroztbyt3 Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2015 Colorado

    So I'm moving to Denver soon and I stocked up beer-wise. I am planning to buy some type of fridge and I thought of this:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/LTQ-51-Bott...584463?hash=item3ce34e1acf:g:8loAAOSwPcVVxA0Z

    Now I've been reading a lot of about putting beers on their sides. Now what if, I tilted this cooler about 10-15 degrees backwards. I could even glue/screw little backs to each of the shelves so that I could still make use of pulling them out easily with beer still in them.

    Is this a logical solution? I hear that a fridge may need to be level for the compressor to work properly. I'm not totally conviced a small tilt will do much damage.

    Anyone have recommendations? I will be in an apartment so a basement is just not a luxury I will have.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 phroztbyt3, Jan 21, 2016
  2. EF0rs

    EF0rs Initiate (0) Aug 21, 2014 Pennsylvania

    Here's the fridge I use: Danby DBC120BLS Beverage Center. One of the top reviews for it is a breakdown of why it's an awesome beer cellar, which is the whole reason I bought it. I did add limo tint to the door. It was a pain, but now I don't worry about light-stuck beers. Plus, black glass against the steel looks pretty slick.

    I would not recommend storing beers on their sides (unless canned), nor tilting the fridge. I've had to move mine away from the wall before and the tray in the back had some condensation in it that splashed on to the floor. So, I'd think at the least you're asking for a constant puddle on your floor.
     
    #2 EF0rs, Jan 21, 2016
  3. phroztbyt3

    phroztbyt3 Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2015 Colorado

    Thanks, added to my wishlist. This may be the right option. Do you happen to know how many bombers will fit in this thing? my smaller beers I can fit in a mini-fridge have. It's the bigger stuff I'm trying to find a home for.
     
    #3 phroztbyt3, Jan 21, 2016
  4. EF0rs

    EF0rs Initiate (0) Aug 21, 2014 Pennsylvania

    I've been able to get 10 on the bottom shelf. Since there are no trays on the door, you can wedge a few extra in there.
    Second shelf, I've never maxed out with bombers, but if you removed the very top shelf (it's shaped differently to box out the fan - I wouldn't worry about bottle necks being in front of it, however), I'd say another 16 pretty easily. This would change with boxed beers or 750ml bottles.

    With that many on the second shelf, I'd keep an eye out for sagging. 16 bombers looks to be roughly 40lbs you're putting on that wire shelf. However, I probably have about 35lbs on my second right now and it seems fine, but something I watch for nonetheless.
     
    #4 EF0rs, Jan 21, 2016
  5. phroztbyt3

    phroztbyt3 Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2015 Colorado

    The nice thing about this model that you mention is the gap where the wire racks slide in. I could take out the wire racks, and get wood ones that match the thickness of the slots, that should fix the issue. Thoughts?
     
    #5 phroztbyt3, Jan 21, 2016
  6. EF0rs

    EF0rs Initiate (0) Aug 21, 2014 Pennsylvania

    I just measured and the gap for the shelves is about 0.5". So yeah, that should plenty of space for a study wooden shelf.
     
    #6 EF0rs, Jan 22, 2016
  7. phroztbyt3

    phroztbyt3 Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2015 Colorado

    Awesome! Thanks. I'll get one of these, then if I like it, i'll just get a second and call it a day.
     
    #7 phroztbyt3, Jan 22, 2016
  8. EF0rs

    EF0rs Initiate (0) Aug 21, 2014 Pennsylvania

    Awesome! Enjoy!
     
    #8 EF0rs, Jan 23, 2016
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