Fridge recommendations

Neil1454 · May 14, 2019

Hi,

I'm looking for some recommendations for a cheap'ish under counter fermentation fridge?
The fridge just needs to house a 23L FV bucket.

I will get a inkbird 308 and also install a heater into it the fridge. From what I've seen the process is not to tricky.

Thanks

RichK · May 14, 2019

I'd go for a larder fridge with no ice box or you might be short on headroom. Worth looking at 2nd hand (got mine off Gumtree less than 400 yards from home). Small tube heater in the bottom will suffice. I just run the cables through the door seal.

Benfleet Brewery · May 15, 2019

I bought a second hand under counter fridge without ice box (£15) and a new 60w tube heater with no thermostat (£10) from fleabay. I run the cables for the temperature sensor and the heater through the condensation drain hole.
I use a 23 litre bucket which does fit but it’s tight. There just enough space at the front on the top for one of those tiny airlocks so I now use a small blow off tube instead. At least it takes away the urge to keep taking the lid off to have a look :).

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Neil1454 · May 15, 2019

What make and models are these fridges?

Looking for something to go off. Or even better if someone has bought a cheap new one recently.

Thanks

-Bezza- · May 15, 2019

Dimensions are probably more important than brand and make. Just go for as big as you can find - I got a fridge that was essentially the cheapo Currys thing and getting the FV in is a squeeze. Required a bit of hacking as it was a bit narrower and not as deep as most under counter fridges. For the most part, as long as it doesn't have an ice box you should be ok.

If you're getting a second-hand one, you can always take your FV along to make sure it fits.

Benfleet Brewery · May 15, 2019

-Bezza- said:
Dimensions are probably more important than brand and make. Just go for as big as you can find - I got a fridge that was essentially the cheapo Currys thing and getting the FV in is a squeeze. Required a bit of hacking as it was a bit narrower and not as deep as most under counter fridges. For the most part, as long as it doesn't have an ice box you should be ok.

If you're getting a second-hand one, you can always take your FV along to make sure it fits.

Yes, internal dimensions is most important. Mine, like many others, has an indent at the bottom towards the back where the refrigeration stuff is behind it so the bucket can’t be placed any lower than it is in the picture.

Neil1454 · May 15, 2019

Just been looking at this one..
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/house...8-undercounter-fridge-white-10175336-pdt.html

Dimensions are...
83.8 x 54 x 59.5 cm (H x W x D)

Are these the kind if dimensions I'm looking at or should I look at something wider or deeper ?

Thanks

BeerCat · May 15, 2019

Is that outside dimensions? You have to bear in mind the compressor space. I have an old fridge where it's in the corner and I don't need a shelf.
it won't fit a 33l fv though.

Clint · May 15, 2019

here's mine...swapped for a bottle of Grouse... it's a good used one from a refurb.
If you want a new one take your fv to the shop and see if it fits..

-Bezza- · May 15, 2019

Neil1454 said:
Just been looking at this one..
https://www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/house...8-undercounter-fridge-white-10175336-pdt.html

Dimensions are...
83.8 x 54 x 59.5 cm (H x W x D)

Are these the kind if dimensions I'm looking at or should I look at something wider or deeper ?

Thanks

Looks a lot like the one I've got and it's only just big enough. If you can get to a currys, measure the internal dimensions and post back here. Or get on Facebook or gumtree and pay £20 for one.

MickDundee · May 15, 2019

Mine both came from Facebook Marketplace, both tall fridges - one cost me £40 the other was free. The £40 one is a cracking fridge, super at cold crashing. The free one isn’t as cold but still does the job.

Both are Indesits, I assume the free one is just an older version/model of the £40 one as they look similar but the free one is taller.

BeerCat · May 15, 2019

MickDundee said:
Mine both came from Facebook Marketplace, both tall fridges - one cost me £40 the other was free. The £40 one is a cracking fridge, super at cold crashing. The free one isn’t as cold but still does the job.

Both are Indesits, I assume the free one is just an older version/model of the £40 one as they look similar but the free one is taller.

To get down really cold you need to bypass the thermostat. I just bought another fridge and it only gets down to around 2c so needs to be modded.

chrisbjones202 · May 18, 2019

Hotpoint RLA30 (also have a RLA36 which I think is a bit newer but same size).

Will happily get below freezing on max. Bought both for around £25 each on fleaBay.

110ben · May 18, 2019

Larder fridges are a must
I have 2 both from gumtree one was free and the other one £20 but both in shed.

Neil1454 · May 28, 2019

Hi

I want to stick my tube heater into the bottom of the fridge. I've seen someone use a rubber silicone which means it will easily removable later on should it be needed. Does anyone know what silicone I should buy?

When drilling holes through the side of a larder fridge for sensor and cables for heater and fans to move air around the fridge to prevent hot and cold spots. Is it usually safe to do so or is there a chance they will be piping at the sides?

Thanks

Chippy_Tea · May 28, 2019

Could you not mount the tube heater on a piece of wood rather than stuck it.

Members usually pass the wires through the drain hole at the back of the fridge or just trap them in the door I wouldnt drill the side unless you are 100% there is nothing inside that you could damage.

Many members don't use a fan as the air will circulate without one.

Neil1454 · May 29, 2019

On the Inkbird you can set it so that it would not turn on the fridge or heater unless it hit a certain temp past or under the desired target temp.

At the moment it is set by default to +2C and -2C from the target temp.

Is as much as 2C variance a good idea or would it be better to go with 1C variance for cooling and 0.5C for heating.
So on a target temp of 18c....
17.5C before heater kicked in and 19C before cooling kicks in?

Thanks

RichK · May 30, 2019

I think +/- 2C is too big a gap. I have mine set to +/- 0.5C With a 10 minute cooling delay. I'm inclined to go for the minimum spread you can use but still avoid hot/cold cycling.

As ChippyTea susggested, I've got the heated bolted on to a piece of wood (bit of old shelf). It does get moved depending on whether the FV or bottles are in the fridge.

BarnBrian · May 30, 2019

Neil1454 said:
Hi

I want to stick my tube heater into the bottom of the fridge. I've seen someone use a rubber silicone which means it will easily removable later on should it be needed. Does anyone know what silicone I should buy?

When drilling holes through the side of a larder fridge for sensor and cables for heater and fans to move air around the fridge to prevent hot and cold spots. Is it usually safe to do so or is there a chance they will be piping at the sides?

Thanks

I would avoid drilling through the side of the fridge. I think the best option is to run wiring through the drain hole, this may require you to drill the hole out slightly larger to accommodate wiring.
Any silicone sealant will do the job.

Clint · May 30, 2019

Heater screwed to a bit of wood,heater cable through drain hole, close door on Inkbird probe.

Fridge recommendations

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