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Wine Fermentation Fridge

 
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jeremy2027




Joined: 23 Apr 2016
Posts: 12
Location: Groves, TX


PostLink    Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 11:43 am    Post subject: Wine Fermentation Fridge Reply with quote


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Currently I ferment in a SXS refrigerator with freezer side set to 38*F and the fridge side controlled by a fan in the center wall to what temp I want my carboys fermenting. I have the ability to ferment two beers at separate temperatures by using two STC1000s, thermowells and fermwraps.

I was checking out Kal's page on using the wine refrigerators as fermentation chambers but was wondering how you get a precise level of control. From what I can tell you control the ambient air around the fermenter and not the actual beer temp inside the fermenter. In my experience the ambient air during fermentation with beer temp of 66*F is around 61-62*F. With the wine fridge setting the temps to 66*F there seems to be no way the fermenting beer will be at 66*F. Not to mention if the beer gets to cold how do you bring it back up to the proper temp without a heater of some sort?

I really like the idea of using something so compact to ferment in but I am not seeing how you can have total control of the fermentation process.

Am I missing something?
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 1:56 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote



My fridges can be set from 39 to 64F, and the wort is typically 2 degrees warmer than the set temperature. So in your case if I want the wort/beer to be at 66F, I set the fridge to the highest setting (64F). To raise the temp, you simply turn up the temp and it rises slowly which I like. It'll heat up slowly because the room temperature in my brewery is usually around 72-74F.

More info: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/ferment-and-package

I've only once needed to get higher than 72-74F room temp which was while brewing a Saison which got all the way to 95F. I used a light bulb.



More info: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30930

If I was to do that more often I'd probably use a temp controller to run the bulb.
Kal

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jeremy2027




Joined: 23 Apr 2016
Posts: 12
Location: Groves, TX


PostLink    Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2017 10:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks for the info, your site has helped me a ton.
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codex




Joined: 04 Nov 2016
Posts: 45
Location: Co Durham, UK

Drinking: American Pale Ale, NEIPA, German Pilsner


PostLink    Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 11:53 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Hi Kal,

Resurrecting this old thread as I have some question on fermentation fridge/wine cooler.

At present, i have no temperature control in the brewery. Being summer in the UK during my first brews, I was able to keep the whole room around 19/20 deg C so had no issues with the fermentation.

However, with Autumn here and winter around the corner (had a little snow last week) I need to introduce temperature control. My garage can go from 6 deg C in winter to 26 deg C in summer. If I went the wine cooler route i would need one with integrated heater. There is one that can go from 5 deg to 22 deg C, but these are a little over my budget. I need two as I have 2 x 7 gal brew buckets. Now looking at display fridges, and controlling with an Inkbird 308.

The issue I have is the compressor housing inside the under counter fridge. I am looking at commercial models, which are all online, and getting information on dimensions of the internal fridge is proving difficult. Need to confirm my buckets will fit okay infront of the compressor hump

In the photo of your wine fridge, there looks to be plenty of room for the brew bucket. Out of curiosity, what dimension is it from the compressor hump to the front of the fridge?

Cheers
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 12:24 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

12.5" from the hump to the glass door. Brew Buckets fit just fine as is, even with my modifications:



Details on the parts here: http://www.theelectricbrewery.com/Brew-Bucket-Stainless-Steel-Fermenter

You can use 6.5 IMP gallon (7.8 US gallon) buckets too, but you need a step to get above the hump as the buckets are too wide:



Kal

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codex




Joined: 04 Nov 2016
Posts: 45
Location: Co Durham, UK

Drinking: American Pale Ale, NEIPA, German Pilsner


PostLink    Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 1:16 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Kal

Dealer just got back to me with dimension of 290mm 11.4 inches (hump to glass door) this is about an inch less than your wine fridge. Do you think the 7 gal brew bucket would still fit?

Cheers
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2018 2:06 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

See the attached picture.

X is 3.5"
Y is 13”
Z is 9.5”

The hump height is also important (not just the depth) as it dictates how far into the fridge the brew bucket can sit. You need to make sure that with the edge of the bucket hitting the hump (bottom left) , the lid doesn't hit the door (top right). In my case the hump height in my fridge is 8". You'll have to use the numbers above to calculate how much room you actually need based on your specific fridge.

If your hump is not 8" high, your X and Z values will be different.

Kal



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_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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View user's photo album (21 photos)
codex




Joined: 04 Nov 2016
Posts: 45
Location: Co Durham, UK

Drinking: American Pale Ale, NEIPA, German Pilsner


PostLink    Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 8:43 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks Kal for the picture/dimensions.

I e mailed the manufacturer, who got back to me today. Hump is 175mm (6.9 in) high x 190mm (7.5 in) deep. I will do a scale drawing tomorrow, see if it will fit okay.

Cheers
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kal
Forum Administrator



Joined: 12 Dec 2010
Posts: 11116
Location: Ottawa, Canada

Drinking: Pub Ale, Electric Creamsicle, Mild, Pliny the Younger, Belgian Dark Strong, Weizen, Russian Imperial Stout, Black Butte Porter


PostLink    Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2018 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Good luck!

Kal

_________________
Our new shop with over 150 new products: shop.TheElectricBrewery.com
We ship worldwide and support our products and customers for life.
Purchasing through our affiliate links helps support our site at no extra cost to you. We thank you!
My basement/bar/brewery build 2.0
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