Buying A Brew Fridge

[Silo Ted]

I will have about $350 play money to spend on toys soon and it will probably be in the form of a fermenting fridge so I can brew under tighter control temps and produce beers at the height of hot summer. Only interested in brand new appliances, factory seconds or floor stock, so I thought i would throw the question out there. What sort of things should I be looking for, apart from the obvious ability to fit a bucket in there. Not confined to any size requirement but for 350 its not going to be a monster. I saw a Homemaker brand bar fridge at Kmart last week for 189 but there were none on display and the photo wasnt clear enough to tell whether there was a hump or not. Another member posted some info on his homemaker about being able to remove some shelves so I will cross check the model number when I am next near a Kmart store. What are some other considerations, does frost free matter, temperature range etc ? And can a fridge be pulled down low enough to do the occasional lagering, crash chilling and whatnot or should I be looking at a small freezer instead for greater flexibility in the colder range?

 

[Gout]

I know you mention you only want new...... but I have 3 fridges now and only paid for one of them (all second hand but far from old).

Dont forget your brew fridge will be sitting at 10-20 deg to brew and only running when fermenting so the latest and greatest is not so important.

Good luck on the search

 

[Banshee]

Picked up a second hand F&P just under 350L but fits 2 ferm bins. Why go brand new when you can save $$$$$. I would possibly look at brand new for dspensing fridge but this one is good enough for that too. It looks brand new.
The only thing I would say if you are buying new go for frost free.

 

[Silo Ted]

I suppose there a a few reasons for wanting a new one, all of them probably stupid.

First is the bling factor, and being the first one to destroy the bastard with power tools

Then any leakage or sealing issues. This will be in a carpeted room of a rented premises so I dont want to ruin the floor.

Plus I dont need a huge fridge that $350 could buy on the second hand market. One beer fermenting at a time is enough for me.

Good point gout, about the running time, that was the one thing I reiterated to the wife when she had concerns about an even higher energy bill. As any good brewer does, I reminded her of the huge savings in beer purchases offsetting the tiny extra energy consumption.

 

[kevin_smevin]

The homemaker ones at the moment are too small. You cant remove the freezer on this model so its no good. I had a look at one last week. The older ones were apparently ok because you could remove the freezer. Happy hunting

 

[Hatchy]

My fermenting fridge is probably about 30 years old & does fine. I'd be looking at a free/cheap option. You'll want a tempmate as well unless you already have 1.

 

[Silo Ted]

Nice info mate, cheers. You just saved me a trip to check the model number.

I was going to pop into a place called 2nds World to take a look, does anyone know this shop and can the electrical products be picked up for a bargain? A few scuffs on the outer cabinet doesnt bother me.

Speaking barfridge sized for a minute, how common are humpless units, similar to the kegerator fridge style? And does a freezer of the same dimensions have a hump?

 

[Silo Ted]

My fermenting fridge is probably about 30 years old

Does it leak?

You'll want a tempmate as well unless you already have 1.

Yep, sorted. Received one in the post last week from Hong Kong, and started cutting holes into a housing box over the weekend. A pain in the ass but I got the sensor to sit in nicely, and mounted speaker cable connector for easy removal of the probes. Not wired up yet.

 

[MarkBastard]

Did you see my thread about the old home makers? Is that what you're referring to?

Both the ones I bought were definitely as good as new, and for $100 each you'd be silly not to go down this option IMO.

Also to answer your questions...

1 - Yes frost free is recommended.
2 - I would be really surprised if you found one without a hump.
3 - Any fridge will go down low enough for crash chilling. You don't need a freezer for this.

 

[Silo Ted]

Yep Mark, thats right im sure it was your post im thinking of. One silver and one white fridge? Only problem is, a comment earlier tonight indicated that the current crop of Homemakers arent suitable because of the shelf removal ability that you mentioned in your other thread.

 

[DU99]

why no look on ebay and see whats for sale..older fridges have better insulation than new ones ...or try gumtree in your state

 

[Gout]

I bought a frost free huge fridge which was somewhat new for about $100 if i recall..... it fits 2 fermenters or one "real fermenter"

 

[mje1980]

I will have about $350 play money to spend on toys soon and it will probably be in the form of a fermenting fridge so I can brew under tighter control temps and produce beers at the height of hot summer. Only interested in brand new appliances, factory seconds or floor stock, so I thought i would throw the question out there. What sort of things should I be looking for, apart from the obvious ability to fit a bucket in there. Not confined to any size requirement but for 350 its not going to be a monster. I saw a Homemaker brand bar fridge at Kmart last week for 189 but there were none on display and the photo wasnt clear enough to tell whether there was a hump or not. Another member posted some info on his homemaker about being able to remove some shelves so I will cross check the model number when I am next near a Kmart store. What are some other considerations, does frost free matter, temperature range etc ? And can a fridge be pulled down low enough to do the occasional lagering, crash chilling and whatnot or should I be looking at a small freezer instead for greater flexibility in the colder range?

Go to your nearest salvo's or seconds place and spend no more than 50 on one. Then spend the other 300 on other brewing goodies. Like a temp control unit.

 

[hsb]

Go to your nearest salvo's or seconds place and spend no more than 50 on one. Then spend the other 300 on other brewing goodies. Like a temp control unit.

Gumtree proved a real treasure trove for me, ended up picking up what might as well have been a new fridge for $50. Easily big enough to fit two brews in and bottles, yeast etc.. They seem to come and go very quickly, save your pennies for something else.. With another $50 on a Fridgemate and bits to make it up I'm set for fermenting control.

 

[kelbygreen]

wow gout that id one real fermenter how much did that set you back?? love the way you mounted it

 

[Gout]

wow gout that id one real fermenter how much did that set you back?? love the way you mounted it

to be honest i do not recall as i bought it last year, before i finally got it all together. $140 or $240 come to mind, the steel i had from my brew stand, taps from beer belly.... I got the idea from someone on the board and just put the first brew in it this weekend - 80Lt of pale ale

 

[kelbygreen]

nice you must have one big pot to fill that sucker.

ok back on topic my best fridge is prob almost as old as me lol and fits 2 fermenters in it easy

 

[Hatchy]

Does it leak?

I have to use a gas bottle to keep it shut so I'd have to assume it does. It was free & hardly ever turns on so I don't see it as being a problem.

In yr 2nd post you mentioned destroying it with power tools. Is that for the temp probe? Mine is on a bit of wire so I didn't have to drill the fridge at all.

I'd definitely recommend making sure that you can get 2 fermenters in if yr paying for a fridge. I can get a 60L fermenter in mine but not 2 30L. It removes some flexibility that I'd prefer to have.

 

[Gout]

Bud before you drill into the metal, make sure there is no gas lines (most important in a freezer). Look into running the temp sensor under the door seal, or possible the defrost drain hole .... then you have a perfectly working fridge at the end of the day with minimal damage or risk

 

[Silo Ted]

Thanks to everyone. It sounds like I should really look at the second hand market, and save my money for other toys. I am very concerned about leakage though. I dont even want to muck around with sourcing replacement rubbers, fitting them etc. Just want a fridge that I can plug ini without too many mods.

The power tool statement was not really a huge thing. Housing the thermo controller into the door was my thoughts. Not a big deal, considering my controller box project has it in a Jaycar kit box. Im sure the probe wire can wedge into the seal, without much colling loss to the fridges operation.

My next question should be does anyone have a second hand fridge they want to sell me. For under a hundred bucks. I should check Ebay.