fermenting fridge build

[bodger001]

hi guys , not been on here much just lately been really busy at work ( nights away in my truck )

but i got some spare time recently and managed to build myself a fermenting fridge.
firstly i got myself a fridge from where i used to work for free :thumb: then ordered a stc 800+ from ebay for £19 inc delivery and a greenhouse heater off amazon for £12 delivered .

first i took the top off and cut a hole out for the stc 800+ and mounted that in and wired it all up.
then positioned the heater inside and fed the wire through the condensation tube and drilled a hole through the top for the temp sensor.
im very happy with the results and i had a can of stout spare so that is now fermenting.

ive got my other shed sorted now and im currently sorting out the AG set up so hopefully next weekend i will be doing my first ag brew ( wish me luck )

let me know what you guys think

 

[crofty83]

I like how you've mounted the 800+ in the top of the fridge. Very nice :-)

 

[bodger001]

thanks matey, luckily there was enough room underneath to be able to mount on there just had to take some of the insulation out to make it fit

 

[BrotherMalice]

Looks great mate, good work on the free fridge :)

Let us all know how your AG brew go's :)

 

[Vossy1]

bodger, is the ATC insulated from the fridge or open to the inside? If open I'd recommend insulating it as the internals of the ATC can get damp...and it doesn't like it..starts behaving erratically...how would I know...I found out the hard way with an ATC mounted through the door of a fv fridge :whistle: :lol: :thumb:

 

[BrotherMalice]

looking at the first pic it looks like it does not go through the inner plastic of the fridge.

 

[Vossy1]

You look right BM

 

[bodger001]

sorry for the late reply guys. yes its insulated underneath. its been running for the last 2 weeks fermenting a kit i had lying around and ive just bottled them up.


going to do my first AG brew tomorrow,

 

[Dave1970]

I didn't trust the glass shelf on mine...replaced with a cut down ikea wooden shelf...it also has the advantage of being slatted so easier for the heat to circulate

 

[bodger001]

yeah thats next....

 

[home brewer]

just managed to squeeze the heater mains cable and sensor wire out of the drain hole on my fridge, just to save drilling holes, no more fermenting on the dining table :thumb:

 

[TRXnMe]

So, the fridge has a low power heater and the chiller unit both working?

Would you need both for a fridge used just to chill a keg before drinking it?

I'm thinking of two fridges, bottom one fermenting, top one chilling ready for consumption, although I suppose three is the ideal, one for fermenting, one for conditioning and the third for the keg that's being drunk?

I think it'll be a while before I even get the one sorted out, blown my spare cash for a while on ingredients and demi johns for TC, but it's summat to plan for now :)

Thanks for the build guide.

 

[joe1002]

So, the fridge has a low power heater and the chiller unit both working?

Yes, both connected to a temperature controller, in this case a STC800+. This will maintain the temperature set by switching on/off the fridge/heater as necessary. The accuracy is of course dependant on where you put the probe :shock:

 

[Cyclops]

put the probe in some liquid, e.g a bottle of water

Will not fluctuate from the air temp changing from opening and closing the door.