Fermentation box from refrigerator

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by tngolfer, Jul 10, 2013.

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  1. tngolfer

    tngolfer Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2012 Tennessee

    Anybody built something like the chiller box powered by a refrigerator like what is shown in the following link? I sketched up something very similar to show a coworker and he forwarded me the link having come across it previously.

    http://www.lamabrewery.com/VariousToys.htm

    I currently have my frig hooked up to my JC-A419 controller but I would like to keep my ice and hops in my freezer. Since they run on the same compressor both freezer and frig turn off/on based on my ferm temp in the frig (generally ales).

    I'm not targeting my chiller box to reach serving temps. I would like it to reach ale ferm temps and possibly lager ferm temps. I think I could connect both lines from the frig and not have to penetrate the freezer wall. I tried contacting Lama via his 'contact me' email address but I haven't heard back. I was surprised he could get a 6" diameter hole while dodging the cooling lines.

    Any thoughts on this project? Any experience lessons others can share?
     
    #1 tngolfer, Jul 10, 2013
  2. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,421) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    There are no cooling lines to dodge in a typical frost-free refrigerator/freezer.

    Your plan will probably work for lager temps, but probably not for ale temps. The closer the set temp is to ambient temp, the less the compressor will run. It's not likely you would be able to achieve a freezing temp in the freezer compartment. (That's the same reason a refrigerator/freezer doesn't work well in the garage during the cold months).

    But I could be wrong.
     
    #2 mikehartigan, Jul 10, 2013
  3. tngolfer

    tngolfer Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2012 Tennessee

    Thanks, Mike. My thought was to add an in-line valve to control cold air in to the ferm box and pretty much use that instead of a control unit. This way my freezer/frig would run as normal to keep wort chilling ice and hops in the freezer and serving kegs and yeast in my frig. By adjusting the air flow into the ferm box I could close the valve and get close to ambient or open it full and get close to lager fermentation temps (if pulling from the frig) or serving temps (if pulling from the freezer). If pulling from the frig, partially opening the valve would get me to ale ferm temps.
     
    #3 tngolfer, Jul 10, 2013
  4. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,097) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    i am generally all for making homebrewing more complex, time consuming and outrageous as possible. it's a hobby after all. all of us could also just buy the beer.

    but, you can usually find an old chest freezer or fridge on craigslist for real cheap. an outboard temp controller can be had for a little as $45. it will go where you want it and keep the temperature you like. no drilling or cutting, no tweaking vents. anytime you cut into a fridge you take chances. though Mike is right,if you've got an over the fridge freezer box its probably just using vent between the boxes.
    i'm thinking your freezer will be full of ice and your chest will be full of water vapor.

    like i said, i love to make my brewery overly complex (it works) but i'm looking for the justification in this production and just not seeing it. just one guys opinion of course. so you should probably go ahead and do this project.
    Cheers.
     
    #4 billandsuz, Jul 10, 2013
  5. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,421) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    :slight_smile:
    I have to agree with this logic.
     
    #5 mikehartigan, Jul 10, 2013
  6. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,067) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Seems like a Rube Goldberg approach. In which case it could use a toaster.
     
    #6 VikeMan, Jul 10, 2013
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  7. tngolfer

    tngolfer Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2012 Tennessee

    There's no way I could buy a deep freezer without buying my wife one first. This is like a wolf in sheep's clothing.
     
    #7 tngolfer, Jul 10, 2013
  8. tngolfer

    tngolfer Initiate (0) Feb 16, 2012 Tennessee

    A toaster might work to keep ale temps in the winter!
     
    #8 tngolfer, Jul 10, 2013
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