Fermentation Chamber

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by antlerwrestler19, Apr 19, 2012.

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  1. antlerwrestler19

    antlerwrestler19 Initiate (0) Nov 24, 2010 Nebraska

    All of these posts recently with all of the high tech homebrew equipment is inspiring me to finally begin this project I've been wanting to to.

    I'm planning to build a temperature controlled fermentation chamber out of this:

    https://mail-attachment.googleuserc...455&sads=jxxmU-Gtr2-0-Jpqlr1xW8Twq-k&sadssc=1

    The measurements are 54" tall, 25" wide, and 21" deep. Given my measurements, and considering that I build a shelf in the middle, I could have two completely separate chambers that house two carboys/buckets each. I'm hoping to have each of them separately insulated so I can have two different temperatures for primary/secondary/diacetyl rest, etc. My questions for you BAs are: How would you insulate? how would you heat/cool? How would you keep that temp. within a degree or two (basically asking what systems for heating/cooling and what instruments to keep them set on the proper fermentation temp.) Any recommendations will be greatly appreciated.
     
    #1 antlerwrestler19, Apr 19, 2012
  2. rocdoc1

    rocdoc1 Savant (1,215) Jan 13, 2006 New Mexico

    Your link doesn't work so I have no idea what you're doing.
    But I'll tell you how I built mine for my tall conical.
    I built a frame with 2X2's and insulated it with 2 inches of styrofoam and a sheet of the silver bubble wrap, I think it's 5/8" thick. For cooling I use a 8000 BTU window AC I spent $100 on and in the winter I just use a Brewbelt for heating. In the summer when my garage is over 100F I've easily maintained 57F internal temp on my conical.
    Here's a picture:
    [​IMG]
     
    #2 rocdoc1, Apr 20, 2012
  3. meatballj626j

    meatballj626j Initiate (0) May 7, 2009 Georgia

    You can also use an old refrigerator, dorm style, to keep ale temp easily. I use a ranco temp controller to within 1deg without any trouble. I built a box around the frig. I suggest you search homebrewtalk as they have a bigger section on DIY stuff and search fermentation chamber, there are about a million ways to do it, and there are some good ideas out there. I wished I had serached a little harder when I started out as it would save some time. Good luck.
     
    #3 meatballj626j, Apr 20, 2012
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