brew fridge

Clint · Jul 20, 2016

Hello all
Could someone please point me in the right direction for the parts needed and construction method etc etc for a brew fridge. I keep reading about them on the forum and decided,when I take full command of the kids play house, I'm having one or two....

Cheers

Clint

Graz · Jul 20, 2016

http://www.berrybrew.co.uk/fermentation-fridge-build-brew-fridge/

Though forget all the faff with the STC-1000 in that link and get yourself an Inkbird ITC-308 instead. Costs about the same but you don't have to put it together yourself.

I've done two now, one using an old larder fridge we already had and an STC-1000 build, second with an eBay fridge (ÃÂ£18) and an Inkbird controller. Both working well.

Used these heaters in both: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/131051286327?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

BeerCat · Jul 20, 2016

I am also about to set one up. Have a look on Gumtree for a fridge and make sure your FV will fit before you buy anything. I am trying to buy a Tall one now. You will also need a temp controller and a heater. Hopefully someone will post a link for more info.

Clint · Jul 20, 2016

Great stuff thanks! I take it the ink bird is a dual function controller doing the heater and fridge alternatively to maintain the set temp? That doesn't look to bad to set up...just have to get the right size as said!

Cheers

Clint

jayjt29 · Jul 20, 2016

Heres my fridge, if i was to build another I would use an Inkbird as suggested above mate.

http://doghousehomebrew.com/equipment/brewfridge.html

Cheers
Jay

Leon103 · Jul 20, 2016

Get a old fridge. Add a Inkbird ITC-308, aquarium heater and old PC fan. Remove back drain plug of fridge and feed in the power to the heater and PC fan - you will need to use a old router plug and connect the wires. BUild a little shelve and attach heater, plug heater and fridge into Inkbird ITC-308. Place fan to blow over the heater.

Sorry on my phone at the moment but if you need more details just ask.

Graz · Jul 20, 2016

Clint said:
I take it the ink bird is a dual function controller doing the heater and fridge alternatively to maintain the set temp?

Yes, that's correct. You program it with a set point e.g. 20 degrees C and a maximum hot / cold delta e.g. 1 degree. If the temp gets to 21 it kicks in the fridge until the temp is back at 20, if it drops below 19 it will then heat until it gets to 20.

Soton · Jul 20, 2016

If you are looking for fridges and freezers don't forget free cycle, if you're lucky you could pick up a freebie
https://www.freecycle.org

DarkHorse · Jul 21, 2016

A larder style fridge would be a bonus as you could have two on the go at the same time or one fermenting, one conditioning etc. Ebay never seems to have any cheap fridges so keep an eye on freecycle or facebook groups. An inkbird 308 will take care of heat control along with a tubular heater (check it fits your fridge) and a bit of woodwork to make a support for your fv and bobs your mothers brother.

Clint · Jul 22, 2016

Just wondering. ...a few pictures of set ups seem to have a home built wooden support shelf for the fv with the heater underneath. What happens if the fermenter bubbles over? Does the heater get wet?

Cheers

Clint

Graz · Jul 22, 2016

Clint said:
Just wondering. ...a few pictures of set ups seem to have a home built wooden support shelf for the fv with the heater underneath. What happens if the fermenter bubbles over? Does the heater get wet?

Cheers

Clint

Personally I've used mine for a few brews and it has never gone over but the tube heaters are generally IP44 rated anyway so a bit of beer splashing on it should be an issue so long as it doesn't get saturated. Best to have a little look every day or two just to make sure it hasn't gone over.

IP44 - "Protected against water splashed from all directions, limited ingress permitted"

Clint · Jul 22, 2016

Ok,thanks! On the look out for a fridge now..

Regards

Clint

Bigjas · Jul 22, 2016

My beer fridge is an old one from gumtree and cost ÃÂ£20. An inkbird 308 and a tube heater is installed and it's the best investment I've made so far. If your worried about a vigorous ferment, fit a blow off tube into an old plastic bottle.

Happy fridge hunting

Jas

alarmsparks · Jul 22, 2016

One question that has been bugging me for a while if you leave a fridge not used with the door closed they smell bad. How do you stop this happening if the inside is relatively warm?

Leedsmedic · Jul 24, 2016

Clint said:
Just wondering. ...a few pictures of set ups seem to have a home built wooden support shelf for the fv with the heater underneath. What happens if the fermenter bubbles over? Does the heater get wet?

Cheers

Clint

Ignore those who are saying you need to fashion some kind of wooden frame...

Joking aside this i what I had to do after the shelf I had used for a smaller brew and then assumed would be fine broke. I now have a mroe sturdy wooden construction.

Rogermort · Jul 25, 2016

Does anyone know if it's possible to re-gas a fridge in the UK? My Gumtree sourced Hotpoint RLS175 setup is brilliant in all respects other than its stopped cooling! [emoji53]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Graz · Jul 25, 2016

Rogermort said:
Does anyone know if it's possible to re-gas a fridge in the UK? My Gumtree sourced Hotpoint RLS175 setup is brilliant in all respects other than its stopped cooling! [emoji53]

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Generally not cost effective unless it's some massive American style job that cost hundreds / thousands.

Rogermort · Jul 25, 2016

Graz said:
Generally not cost effective unless it's some massive American style job that cost hundreds / thousands.

Feared that might be the case. The gas to do it is a couple of quid and watching on Youtube the process looks easy. Unfortunately, the kit needed to apply the repair is specialist refrigeration engineer stuff. Not massively expensive but quite dear for a one-off repair.

Ale · Jul 25, 2016

I'm looking at setting up a fridge. I have a brew belt which I will use for the heater. It seems that there will be a benefit of not faving to build a shelf for it to go under as it will just go around the bottom of the FV.

brew fridge

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