So I've been looking at stuff about how to build a fermentation chamber and a lot of diy ones suggest using a mini fridge. I may be able to procure one of the coolers that a lot of grocery stores use for cool whip in. Would that likely work? I know it wouldn't really be expandable for more than one carboy at a time. But for now given my space constraints I wouldn't have more than one at a time.
Not sure what an action chamber is, but I'm guessing it's the same as a fermentation chamber based on your title. How much money are you looking to spend? Also, where will this be used - In an air conditioned room or in a non-temp controlled environment like a garage or outdoors?
Ya sometimes my phone doesn't agree with fermentation being a word. Well really I didn't plan on buidling one quite yet because of space and money but I figure if that would work and I can get it for free why not. Then it's just the money for the controller which I can do fairly cheap. I'd prefer to do the storage room in my basement but I might get told no in which case it would be garage. It's not an open face cooler there's sliding doors on it. I'll grab a picture on my way out tonight.
Gotcha. I would say that it's probably not the best long term option, but if it's cheap and works, why not? A chest freezer would be a better long term option, and they can be purchased for around $180 for a 7 cu.ft. unit. These are big enough to store 2x 6 gallon carboys. For the temperature control unit, I highly recommend the Inkbird ITC-308. It's quite inexpensive and when paired with a heat lamp or small space heater you can use a heat source to really dial in your temps. Hope this helps.
[/URL][/IMG] It's approximately 2.5 feet deep with a little shelf on the side that's aboutique 6 inches leaving about 18x18 deep and wide for the carboy
Just about anything that cools will work (fridge, mini-fridge, freezer, cadaver cooler). Because you'll normally be in the 60 -70 range the demands are less than the original purpose. I have rescued a landfill candidate several times with good results. Lots of good (and easy) controllers; Johnson, Inkbird, Ranco, makes adaptation for fermentation easy. Caveat: dimensions are critical . . . be sure to measure with airlock on. No one but a brewer will know there is a compressor hump that will steal some floor space, so carry your tape while shopping.
Otherwise you can score a 4' chest freezer for $100ish. an Inkbird thermostat would take you up to $125.
To emphasize what @PortLargo said, 18" doesn't sound like quite enough height - for instance, I think most Better Bottles are around 19" tall (without airlock). There may be a work-around, but definitely take careful measurements and make sure you will actually be able to fit your fermenting vessel into the cooler.
I apparently wasn't thinking when I sad the dimensions approximately 30 high 18 deep and wide in the section without the setime without the shelf.
I tried to get that exact type from work for the same purpose....Those ones are the good ones that are actually a reefer unit....If you turn the temp all the way down, it will freeze.....I ended up being told no, the company I work for stopped allowing them to go out the door to employees or customers.....If you can get one go for it they are well built and would be perfect for a fermentation chamber.
You wereally pulling them out of the stores and we're told to donate them. I asked my store director if it could be donated to me and the verdict was yes. So I'm just hoping it'll fit in my car tomorrow....
Got it him today carboy or 6.5 gal fermenting bucket fit with about 4 inches up top after adding anew airlock. Just waiting on getting my thermowell delivered and a relay switch then I'll go about setting up.
Bump About to put together a similar set up. So you have the cooler plugged into the "cooling" outlet on the ITC308 and a space heater in the "heating" outlet? In general is there any need to worry about voltage of the appliance going through the inkbird ITC308? I'm going to be obtaining a small refrigerator. Thanks in advance
Ya that's how I've got it set up. I don't know enough to say for sure if that's a concern but I have a surge protector between the wall and the controller
