Looking for mod-free fermentation chamber

From your implication I'm guessing you don't consider adding an Inkbird a mod. I've found many (most?) mini-fridges have trouble fitting a typical "ale pale" bucket. My original under-counter fridge would not accept a bucket because the door shelves took up interior space . . . until I took a sawzall to the shelves (major mod). At first I put a platform across the compressor hump and could fit a bucket, but the air lock hit the freezer shelf until it was hacksaw'ed down to size (minor mod).

My experience with mini-fridges is they are all poorly built and you almost never see a recognizable brand . . . almost like they are expected to fail. I would take the bucket (and air lock) with me whenever shopping. No experience with wine fridges, except they almost always have poor reviews on Amazon.

Suggest you consider a medium-sized fridge. Seems like there is always something used available and reliability may be greater. My big-boy can fit two buckets or bucket and 2 kegs in addition of shelf to age bottled beer (at ferm temp of course).

 

Wine fridge.

Anything with the cooling plate against the back wall as opposed to the ridiculous freezer box found in most mini fridges. That opens up a lot of head space. You may need to build a small shelf over the compressor hump, but the added space on top can make it work. I have a U-Line wine fridge that has been converted into a kegerator and will hold a bucket, but not much else. No compressor hump, just flat floor space. Warning, these are super expensive units and they really are not all that impressive. Just a box meant to keep wine chilled, only a little different than a dorm fridge. The shelves are removable. Mid 60s is not problem, but anything below about 44 is a struggle, and I like my draft beer at 38. The compressor is tiny, and fits tight, hence no hump.

Next item would be a cooler using a piezo electric chilling plate aka thermo-electric. These items are very simple and do not use a compressor. A very few are big enough for a bucket so look around. Expect high 40's max, if that.

Lastly, there are tons of small refrigerators that will do the job perfectly. Truth is most refrigerators in Europe and Asia are a fraction of the size of American appliances. There are many options available, special order through the big box retailers or direct from specialty appliance stores. Expect to pay dearly for the luxury of a small refrigerator marketed by a ritzy European brand sourcing units from Malaysia.

Cheers.