semi working freezer as kegerator or fermenter ?

[loady]

I have been offered f.o.c, a double doored stainless steel catering freezer, the compressor is not letting it freeze and was told the lowest he can get it to was +6, I was wondering if it was worth using it as either a kegerator it fermenting fridge if I control it with a pid, or am I asking for trouble ?

 

[phettebs]

Well, this is coming from someone who received two old f.o.c. freezers to use as kegerators and both of them failed on me eventually. One after a year and the other after only a couple months!

I'm on my third now which I went out and bought new. Your call but I'd pass if you know it's not working.

 

[graysalchemy]

I was going to say the same if the motor is failing then it won't belong before it finally gives up the ghost. :thumb:

 

[PD]

would make a darned good fermentation cabinet and bottle conditioner, with a tubular heater fitted......

 

[graysalchemy]

Oh dear PD

Shiny is getting the better of you. :lol: :lol:

But yes I agree could be used for a heat only cabinet.

 

[carl_saint]

If you have the space then is use as a fermenting fridge! Ideal really!

 

[gibb58]

Well from someone that is a refrigeration engineer I would say it either has a gas leak or the compressor is on its way out, either way it won't be a cheap fix. Would be better to wait for something else mate

 

[graysalchemy]

If you have the space then is use as a fermenting fridge! Ideal really!

I think the point is that the freezer is knackered and probably won't last.

 

[loady]

Yes, he had already told me that it is more economical to buy a new one than to fix it, like the idea of a fermenting cabinet with heater, but what are the chances of it exceeding ideal fermenting temps in the summer if i am unable to cool it ?

 

[graysalchemy]

Don't use a heater and leave the door open or don't use it at all.

 

[loady]

Hmmm... Got a closer look today, the shelves are fixed and looked to be plumbed into the refrigerant so to actually get what i want to fit in there i would have to remove some of the shelves and then I'll loose all the refrigerant from it anyway

 

[graysalchemy]

I think it will make a nice insulated cupboard but that will be about it, mind you that is all i use in winter, In summer temps are fine especially If I leave the fermenter on a concrete floor. :thumb:

 

[rpt]

If you do get it, don't control it with a PID. You need something like an STC-1000 which has a compressor delay. A PID will turn the freezer on and off too frequently - and then it definitely will fail quickly.

 

[gibb58]

Will already have its own electronic controller if its a catering freezer.

 

[rpt]

A fermentation fridge has a heater too and you need something that controls both.

 

[loady]

fermentation fridge, fermentation cabinet :wha: in this current climate the freezer wouldnt need to come on..i guess the heater would be doing the work...cant see the point of just a cabinet with no cooler, if you had an extremeley hot summer what would you do ?

 

[joe1002]

fermentation fridge, fermentation cabinet :wha: in this current climate the freezer wouldnt need to come on..i guess the heater would be doing the work...cant see the point of just a cabinet with no cooler, if you had an extremeley hot summer what would you do ?

And you wouldn't be able to 'lager' in it without a means of cooling.

 

[graysalchemy]

I only have a fermentation cabinet not fridge and I only really use it when it is too cold to brew which is erm.......most of the year. When we do get a heat wave here I put the beer on a concrete floor to dissipate the heat. No need for a fridge :grin: :grin:

 

[barter]

I only have a fermentation cabinet not fridge and I only really use it when it is too cold to brew which is erm.......most of the year. When we do get a heat wave here I put the beer on a concrete floor to dissipate the heat. No need for a fridge :grin: :grin:

Thats pretty much what i have done now . I ripped out all the shelves etc and fitted a heater and thermostat and my fermentation cupboard seems to be keeping a nice stable 26 for my cider out in the garage with an ambient of 4nor 5 without having to build an insulated box so it could be ideal for that if the compressor is dodgey anyway.

 

[graysalchemy]

Barter 26c is way to high for any fermentation :nono:

You will get serious fusel alcohols at that temp and the associated hangovers.

Keep it between 18-21c. :thumb: