The Hidden Cost Of Brewing

[LeeH]

Had an energy monitor my large commercial fridge with tube heater. Granted, it’s a glass front and larger that your normal FV fridge but the cost is significant.

May be of interest to some.

 

[crowcrow]

It is certainly worth considering - especially for those with keezer covered in wood or boxed in - most modern freezers use 3 of the sides to radiate heat from the cooling system, or are very least the back panel. If they can't radiate that heat easily they will run longer and in turn that heat will warm up the keezer - in a vicious cycle.

Another good reason I bought a new chest freezer with an A++ rating - while it cost me £140, will will save me about that a year in energy compared to a 10 year old fridge or freezer. And as you've shown at current prices that can be significant.

It is/was pretty common for Americans to stick an older fridge as a drinks fridge in the basement or on a covered deck - which is fine if you have very low energy costs, but even before the current increases was an expensive option here in the UK.

I have two chest freezers, one as a keezer for beer (and overflow food fridge) and one freezer for food - the combined cost for both is approx £100 a year at current prices, as I've got them well ventilated and in relatively cool positions, out of the sun.

 

[The Baron]

Yep the electric costs for mashing/boiling and fermentation control are now becoming a factor

 

[LeeH]

I have a BM, I’ll measure the cost of this via a ammeter and CT on the next brew.

 

[Agentgonzo]

Yep the electric costs for mashing/boiling and fermentation control are now becoming a factor

Don't worry. Grain prices are going to go up a lot, making energy costs less significant again

 

[LeeH]

I’ll be just buying what the local micro uses then. Last price check was 19/sack for Bairds Pale. Not much cheaper than my go to Minch Pale from HBC but that gap may get worse.

 

[The Baron]

I thought I had read somewhere that the grain was going up on the 1st of Jan but that seems too convenient

 

[An Ankoù]

Don't worry. Grain prices are going to go up a lot, making energy costs less significant again

That's all right, then. Its good to know that energy costs are going to be less significant.

 

[Rodcx500z]

At the end of the day everybody's costs will go up, so nowt will change