Need a new fermentation chamber (chest freezer)

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by KeyWestGator, Oct 30, 2016.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. KeyWestGator

    KeyWestGator Savant (1,159) Jan 21, 2013 Florida
    Trader

    I've had a chest freezer and a refrigerator crap out on me in the past year. Both were older and not indoors, but I can't help but think my Johnson A419 hastened there demise. I do have the anti-short setting on the maximum 12 minutes. I'd like to hear some comments on that but that is not the main purpose for this thread.

    I need to find a new chamber. I want a chest freezer because there will be a few times a year where I will use it as a freezer. I recently bought Kenmore 7.2cf at a great sale price to build a keezer and was going to buy a second for fermentation use, but discovered that my fermentor with airlock on it was too tall for the lid to close. I currently use a big mouth bubbler and is about 28.5" tall with airlock. I'd like to hear what other freezers people may be using with what kind of fermentors. Online specs never have interior dimensions and I don't have a lot of places to shop for appliances down here.

    My requirements are:
    -Smallest freezer that will fit two fermentors (hoping for nothing bigger than 9cf)
    -28.5" clearance with lid closed. I'm not married to my BMB but it is what I have now and am not in a hurry to spend more money. I know buckets can make great beer and yada yada yada, but I'd like to stick with something clear.

    Any recommendations, thoughts, advice appreciated!
     
    #1 KeyWestGator, Oct 30, 2016
  2. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    You'll have trouble finding any chest freezer that can handle your primary at 28.5". Most CF's have an interior height in the 26-28 inch range. My old Fridgedaire (may it R.I.P.) had 29" but its replacement model shrunk to 26". I can get two conventional Ale Pales to fit side-by-side in a medium-sized stand up fridge . . . that may be what you want to look at.

    If determined to use a CF . . . well . . . you already know how to build a collar, all you'll need is the muscle for the hoisting.

    [​IMG]
     
    #2 PortLargo, Oct 30, 2016
  3. KeyWestGator

    KeyWestGator Savant (1,159) Jan 21, 2013 Florida
    Trader

    My old freezer was a Frigidaire as well. I was lucky and didn't know it till I started looking for a new one.
    Yeah, I do want a chest freezer. It will be used as a freezer from time to time so I'd rather not modify it.
     
    #3 KeyWestGator, Oct 30, 2016
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.