Brew Fridge

[Pale_Ale]

Think it was Target over the break had a wine cooler with built in thermostat. Neat, tidy, easy and on special for $399. Anyone use one of these?

[timmy]

Ouch....

Check out fleabay for a cheapy fridge (got mine for a tenner) and then get one of those Fridgemaster gadgets. Should have you fixed up for a quarter of that price....

[scblack]

Once or twice a year KMart will have specials on them for $200.

[Pale_Ale]

scblack, is that the type with an actual thermostat, where you can dial up the temp on display?

The only ones I've seen for under are just standard wine coolers which have a min and max setting.

[scblack]

Don't know at all, sorry. I have a brew fridge so never looked.

[morgs]

I noticed one of these at big w today for $188.
Got me thinking. I m pretty sure the temp range is bout 9 - 18deg. Sounds perfect to me for brewing.

[chris.]

I noticed one of these at big w today for $188.
Got me thinking. I m pretty sure the temp range is bout 9 - 18deg. Sounds perfect to me for brewing.

I use one. A Mistral I bought from Kmart for around $200 from memory.
I find the temperature fluctuates quite a bit & had to fit it out with a thermostat to keep the temperature over 18 in the cooler months.

[Pale_Ale]

Chris, I've seen them too, I thought they looked a little to thin to hold a Coopers fermenter, I gather you use a taller, narrower one like they sell at HB stores?

Also the fridge I saw on special was $399 but it was twice as big as that $200 Mistral, and it had built in temperature control - just dial it up.
It's a fair bit of money though.

[chris.]

Yeah I use the taller type. Not sure if a Coopers type will fit.

[Pale_Ale]

So you wouldn't recommend the mistral for $200? Not much good for wine either if the temp fluctuates. What sort of fluctuation are you getting?

[chris.]

All good now I've installed a fridgemate thermostat. The temperature is much easier to control & the air temperature only fluctuates a few degrees which makes bugger all difference to wort temperature.

It all depends what you want. IMO the wine fridges are great for the size factor. They don't have a freezer & can, in my experience, comfortably fit a single fermentor with a blow off tube. I also like that I can see the fermentor without having to open the fridge door. Although the glass door probably isn't the best option for insulation.

But having said that if you have to fit a thermostat either way, & don't have any space issues, a cheap second hand fridge is just as good an option.

[Pale_Ale]

Yep, that's what I'm thinking.

Was just hoping the little wine coolers would sit at a constant temp assuming minimal ambient temp variation.

Otherwise might as well be second hand fridge and thermostat!

[lethaldog]

Just got a 480 litre kelvinator, frost free for $50 on ebay, works a traet

[Pale_Ale]

Everyone wants stupid amounts of money for their fridges in Adelaide for some reason. I always check the Trading Post and eBay, and even then when I find a good deal I'd have to beat the other ravenous home brewers on here to the phone!

[lethaldog]

Everyone wants stupid amounts of money for their fridges in Adelaide for some reason. I always check the Trading Post and eBay, and even then when I find a good deal I'd have to beat the other ravenous home brewers on here to the phone!

Good luck m8

[morgs]

Chris, I've seen them too, I thought they looked a little to thin to hold a Coopers fermenter, I gather you use a taller, narrower one like they sell at HB stores?

Also the fridge I saw on special was $399 but it was twice as big as that $200 Mistral, and it had built in temperature control - just dial it up.
It's a fair bit of money though.

The one at big w for 188 was wide enough, i checked it with a coopers kit in the other aisle. However the depth was just shy i think as the cooling unit sat at the back? Although i didn't accurately measure. Anyone use the rank arena 28 bottle holder?? Does a fermentor fit?

[Pale_Ale]

I think the Rank Arena is very very similar to the Mistral if not the same, and chris. fits a tall type fermenter in his.

[morgs]

i think my pail type fermentors would fit. I won't look stupid dragging it in to the shops with me will i ? lol

[scblack]

i think my pail type fermentors would fit. I won't look stupid dragging it in to the shops with me will i ? lol

I've done it.....

[chris.]

Was just hoping the little wine coolers would sit at a constant temp assuming minimal ambient temp variation.

Not in my experience Pale. With the thermostat inline & the fridge set to the coolest setting I'm finding good results.
If you have the space go for 2nd hand IMO.