Pressure fermentor for fermentation fridge

[DuncR]

I have built a fermentation fridge with an internal height of 49cm, suitable for a beer bucket with a small air lock.
Can anyone suggest a suitable fermentation vessel to perform pressure fermentation with these height restrictions?

 

[crowcrow]

Not sure if there is anything smaller than the fermzilla? Thst is 50.7cm but will need a little more room for a disconnect leading to spunding valve.

I guess you could use a 9 or 12 litre corny?

 

[DuncR]

Corny!!! Good idea! May be able to fit two side by side

 

[crowcrow]

Nice - I just do with ambient temps for my pressure fermentation (faux lagers) - but would love a temp controlled space. Since I ferment hot (18 to 20c for a lager) it isn't too hard for me to find a fairly stable space.

 

[DuncR]

Realised I don’t have the patience for 6 weeks of lagering and looking for means to spread things up.

 

[MrJay83]

Is it a fridge with the shelf that gives you 49cm? On a Facebook forum I seen someone that managed it with the Fermzilla all-rounder. He made, what he calls an "eggcup" holder from styrofoam that allows you to move it a bit forward, down into the space in front of the shelf and gives you that extra headroom needed.
I'm going to try it myself but it will be after Christmas before I can spare the cash for it.

 

[DuncR]

The height is from the shelf upwards so potential for gaining a small amount of height there

 

[MrJay83]

I've had the tape measure out because this post got into my head. After some measuring I'm convinced it can work with my Currys Essential undercounter fridge.
The guy didn't post a picture of the contraption he made so there is some experimenting to be done.

 

[Sprocker]

I have the same issue, fermenting fridge just tall enough for bucket and airlock, but not for my new all-rounder with spunding valve, I also don't have room to remove the cap for dry hopping.
My solution, which I am going to try this weekend, is to remove the lid of the fridge, cut a 300mm square hole in the top, then raise the lid by approx 200mm in height and line with thick foam, make a new lid which will be removable for access.
Fridge only cost me £20 off marketplace so no big deal if it all goes wrong.

 

[MrJay83]

If that works out would you mind posting a few pics? I'd prefer to leave the timber extension off the motor shelf in my fridge as is and still use the All-rounder (that I plan to buy) base.

 

[Sprocker]

If that works out would you mind posting a few pics? I'd prefer to leave the timber extension off the motor shelf in my fridge as is and still use the All-rounder (that I plan to buy) base.

No problem, I'll do before and after photos.

 

[floydmeddler]

I built two of these for super cheap. They've been brilliant.
https://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=83356&hilit=fermenter

 

[MrJay83]

That's pretty cool. I think I'll still go for the BKT all-rounder pressure kit. £110 seems pretty good and I really want the clear PET

 

[crowcrow]

That looks brilliant! I'm keeping my eye out for a king keg now!

 

[RichardM]

I built two of these for super cheap. They've been brilliant.
https://www.jimsbeerkit.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=86&t=83356&hilit=fermenter

How tall are they, including the spunding valve?

 

[gavp1979]

Is it a fridge with the shelf that gives you 49cm? On a Facebook forum I seen someone that managed it with the Fermzilla all-rounder. He made, what he calls an "eggcup" holder from styrofoam that allows you to move it a bit forward, down into the space in front of the shelf and gives you that extra headroom needed.
I'm going to try it myself but it will be after Christmas before I can spare the cash for it.

I do something similar but I simply use a large pet feeding bowl sat on a piece of wood, holds the all-rounder stable and allows me to drop it slightly into the space at the bottom Infront of the compressor hump which in turn gives me space for the disconnect and spunding valve. Another option could be the new kegland disconnects that have a lower profile, I keep meaning to order some to try but never get round to it

 

[MrJay83]

Getting ready for the all-rounders first outing this weekend and I'm wondering if the foam will be okay in the fridge? I'm not worried about the AR with the heat belt (seen loads saying once it's below the water line it's fine) but I'm a bit worried about the foam.

 

[Brew_DD2]

Getting ready for the all-rounders first outing this weekend and I'm wondering if the foam will be okay in the fridge? I'm not worried about the AR with the heat belt (seen loads saying once it's below the water line it's fine) but I'm a bit worried about the foam.
View attachment 81330

You can get low profile quick disconnects. They might give you enough headroom to sit your all-rounder upright. Not that it matters!

 

[MrJay83]

You can get low profile quick disconnects. They might give you enough headroom to sit your all-rounder upright. Not that it matters!

Yeah, I'll definitely be ordering one of them. It's a bit tighter than I thought but my keg will fit in there nicely until I built the keezer.

 

[MrJay83]

I have her going but there must be a leak somewhere. I pressurised a keg to 15psi and adjusted the spending valve to 10ish but it is showing nothing on AR. Really should have pressurised the AR to set the SV and check for leaks but it was a rushed brew this morning.
What would've the most likely cause? I've given everything good hand tighten. I'm using Lellemand Voss so it's firing away already.