Best minifridge for lagering?

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by OneCoolGuy, Jul 1, 2012.

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  1. OneCoolGuy

    OneCoolGuy Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Minnesota

    Hey folks,
    Looking for a nice minifridge that will hold a carboy for lagering. I have an industrial thermostat ready to be wired in to control the temp but I have a hard time finding a suitable minifridge. Looking for something with no frills or wasted space. What works for you guys?

    One Cool Guy
    Mpls, MN
     
    #1 OneCoolGuy, Jul 1, 2012
  2. mjryan

    mjryan Pooh-Bah (1,571) Dec 22, 2007 Minnesota
    Pooh-Bah

    Check out Appliencesmart up off of 280 in Mpls. Never been, but I hear they have some good deals.
     
    #2 mjryan, Jul 2, 2012
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  3. itsjustzach

    itsjustzach Initiate (0) Oct 23, 2006 Ohio

    I built the Danby 440BL into a kegerator. It fits two corny kegs one you remove the shelves on the door. It seems big enough and I think I've seen pictures of people fitting 5 gallon carboys in it. I can see if mine fits once I get home from work.
     
    #3 itsjustzach, Jul 2, 2012
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  4. OneCoolGuy

    OneCoolGuy Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Minnesota

    Good call dude. I'll have to check it out. I check out CList every now and then too. Bought a deep freeze to be converted to a lagering fridge. Woulda done it had it not been built in the stone age and had the wires been color-coded instead of all black.
     
    #4 OneCoolGuy, Jul 3, 2012
  5. OneCoolGuy

    OneCoolGuy Initiate (0) Jul 1, 2012 Minnesota

    Thanks for the suggestion. I'll look into it.
     
    #5 OneCoolGuy, Jul 3, 2012
  6. ricchezza

    ricchezza Zealot (670) Nov 2, 2005 Massachusetts

    I purchased at GE 31” tall fridge at a local Wal-Mart for under $200. Fits a 6.5 gallon carboy with a blowoff tube (too short for airlock) perfectly.
    I’ve had great lagering success with this fridge.
     
    #6 ricchezza, Jul 5, 2012
  7. Abarhan

    Abarhan Initiate (0) Jun 5, 2011 Texas

    Costco has a Haier freezer for $179 if you already have the temp controller. I have 2 carboys in there now fits perfectly. I would grab a dual stage temp controller and a heat source for it as well so you can ferment all of your beers at the perfect temp. I don't do lagers very often but being able to step a saison up to 95ish 2degrees at a time is awesome. The ability to cold crash is nice as well. Your ales will only get better with better temp regulation.
     
    #7 Abarhan, Jul 5, 2012
  8. WickedSluggy

    WickedSluggy Savant (1,129) Nov 21, 2008 Texas

    Yes, mini-fridge too small. I've seen this freezer at Cosco - better idea (still kinda small - you'll outgrow it quickly). You can keep two carboys plus several bottles of beer for consumption and/or aging.
     
    #8 WickedSluggy, Jul 5, 2012
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