Dual use Fridge Freezer

photek1000 · May 11, 2018

Been mulling this over as I'm about to tidy up my garage and you never know have enough space for at least a brew fridge, but I was thinking if I got an upright Fridge Freezer could I strip enough of the controls out of it to control each section individually and have a ferm chamber and a kegerator at the same time.

Anyone tried this or found any guides to building such an item, or am I barking up the wrong tree and should aim for two separate units.

-Bezza- · May 11, 2018

As I understand it, a fridge freezer will typically run off a single compressor, so you either have both parts on or both parts off rather than the two operating independently. You'd be better off getting separate units, or better still, a larder fridge and a chest freezer!

BarnBrian · May 11, 2018

There are fridge freezers available with two control/compressor systems (Bosch do one) but I would think they are few and far between.

photek1000 · May 11, 2018

This is was I was fearing would be the issue.

Think I'll look for one and then another to stack on some supports.

Oneiroi · May 11, 2018

I've seen lots of people on HBT doing side-by-side fridge freezers that only had one compressor. They mostly seem to use the compressor to run the keg-side at a low temp, then cut holes with fans to move cold air into the ferm-chamber side when needed (closed by gravity grill flaps/louvres when not in use).

Like this: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/forum/threads/side-by-side-fermenter-keggerator.316056/

Not sure if it would be viable with an up and down one, I guess it depends on whether there are any components in between the two that you might ruin by cutting fan holes.

MrRook · May 11, 2018

BarnBrian said:
There are fridge freezers available with two control/compressor systems (Bosch do one) but I would think they are few and far between.

And most likely pretty expensive.