Hi from Lancashire

Mick Almost Total Newb · 2025-02-02T08:22:17+0000

I like many on here it seems dabbled with kits many years ago usjng a starter setup of plastic bucket as fermentorm and platic keg to store it in once brewed.
I probably made about a dozen or so batches of beer and similar if wine, I was never particularly impressed with the outcome and found it to be very inconsistant.

I always put a lot of effort into sterilising everything, and suspected the temperature control may have been a big factor in my issues.

Many times over the years I've looked to get back into it, but every time I do, it amounts to looking at all the products, by the time I've decided what gear I'd want I've mentally spent a couple of grand and then forget about it for another 12 months just to go through the same cycle again.

Yesterday I spotted the fermzilla, and thought that might be a really good middleground to do what the expensive kit can, but something I can afford. I expect durability won't be amazing, but I can live with that.

So thinking of making a cabinet in my garage with insulation board to fit the fermentor, with a small heater and chiller plugged into an inkbird temperature controller. And try a kit again. If goes well then maybe look to add a brewzilla.
,

Bitter_Dave · 2025-02-02T08:45:11+0000

Welcome to the forum.

Fermentation temperature control can make a difference, and a lack of it can result in inconsistency. I would not rule out using a fridge/heater inkbird set up if circumstances/space allow. You can pick up a secondhand fridge for cheap, or even free if you get lucky. You don't need to spend loads to make nice beer, although you can if you want to :-)

You may also want to experiment with bottling rather than using plastic keg. Beer keeps better for longer in bottles in my experience.

Mick Almost Total Newb · 2025-02-02T08:57:13+0000

Thanks Dave. I have a fridge freezer in my garage which may fit a 27l fermzilla, but I wouldnt want to damage it. I also have a chest freezer that's not been used for a year or 2, but probably not ideal as I'd need to lift the fermentor in and out which i expect would disturb any sediment.

I need to make sure that whatever I do doesn't appear to my better half that I'm spending a fortune, else ill be sleeping in the garage

Bitter_Dave · 2025-02-02T09:10:58+0000

I hear what you are saying. I didn't have to modify the fridge I use. The wire to the heater goes in the drain hole in the back. The wire for the thermometer is small enough that it can go in via the fridge door. We can still use the fridge as normal when we need an additional fridge (for example Xmas). You might be able to do something similar.

Re disturbing sediment I would think with a bit of care you would be fine.

Mick Almost Total Newb · 2025-02-02T09:17:49+0000

Bitter_Dave said:
I hear what you are saying. I didn't have to modify the fridge I use. The wire to the heater goes in the drain hole in the back. The wire for the thermometer is small enough that it can go in via the fridge door. We can still use the fridge as normal when we need an additional fridge (for example Xmas). You might be able to do something similar.

Re disturbing sediment I would think with a bit of care you would be fine.

Thanks, just will have look at that fridge then and see if I can do that.
As for bottles, I've always thought that to be a bit of a faff, and a likely point of introducing contaminates. Maybe I'm just overthinking it.
I was considering getting corny kegs and maybe seeing if I can use the chest freezer to store them and make a bar.

Also still considering making my own brew cabinet. Surely a insulation board cabinet with a chiller in it is basically a fridge.
I've a cold box I could put in it for cooling and vent it outside.