Brewing Fridge

General homebrew discussion, tips and help on kit and malt extract brewing, and talk about equipment. Queries on sourcing supplies and equipment should go in The Store.
tyrone
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Location: gladstone;Quensland

Post by tyrone »

you're not wrong :shock: A old telly a multimedia p/c on a wireless network and wella+ :!: The worlds perfect bar;The rallysport just stream it from the net: grand-prix, the same ,any t/v programe-AZUREUS;Thats bittorrent for those that are still getting there :D p/s home brew pod-cast is herehttp://radio.craftbrewer.org/2006/01/01/january12006/
Drinking: wheat
listening to:80's greatest hits
db
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Joined: Friday Oct 15, 2004 2:29 pm
Location: sydney

Re: Brewing Fridge

Post by db »

scblack wrote:Guys, I need some help please in setting myself up a brewing fridge.

I have scored for my birthday roughly $200 and am going to put it to the best possible use, by buying/bodging together a brewing fridge. Most necessary, when yesterday's temps topped 45.2 celcius in Sydney.

I checked out K-Mart for a wine fridge, but they are in stock-take sales mode, and won't have any in until late February. Anyone know where I may get a reasonably cheap alternative than K-Mart? I'd say max.$300 if it could be new or good condition. Also tried a few other white goods places, but new prices start at minimum $500 or so.

My other alternative is a used big fridge, and a thermostat to keep temps at 10-25 celsius depending on type of beer. E-bay has plenty in there, so I can find the fridge easy enough, but what sort of thermostat do I need? I have a heater box given to me by a camping mate, but not sure if it's the right connections to turn the power on and off to the fridge. I have not rung any HBS shops yet, do they have the sort of thermostat required?

Have I missed an idea? Or any other advice would be great. I want to do this project easy enough - I'm a CPA and know very little about electrics etc, but am handy enough, so if someone can help me out, I'd be ever so grateful. :D
schblack.. not sure if your still considering the wine fridge option but fyi i spotted them (mistral brand) in kmart broadway today - 3day sale for $199.
tyrone
Posts: 253
Joined: Monday Feb 07, 2005 6:07 pm
Location: gladstone;Quensland

Post by tyrone »

Going to The local K-mart tomorow to see if the will mach this price in gladstone :!: Looks like I'll have to take the Wife to RYDGES CAPPRICORN for the weekend but will be worth it :twisted: :!:
Drinking: wheat
listening to:80's greatest hits
scblack
Posts: 454
Joined: Saturday Jul 23, 2005 9:12 pm
Location: Baulkham Hills, Sydney

Re: Brewing Fridge

Post by scblack »

db wrote: schblack.. not sure if your still considering the wine fridge option but fyi i spotted them (mistral brand) in kmart broadway today - 3day sale for $199.
Thanks db - I rang as soon as I saw this, but they are already sold out!
db
Posts: 672
Joined: Friday Oct 15, 2004 2:29 pm
Location: sydney

Re: Brewing Fridge

Post by db »

scblack wrote:
db wrote: schblack.. not sure if your still considering the wine fridge option but fyi i spotted them (mistral brand) in kmart broadway today - 3day sale for $199.
Thanks db - I rang as soon as I saw this, but they are already sold out!
damn.. was thinking about getting one myself
scblack
Posts: 454
Joined: Saturday Jul 23, 2005 9:12 pm
Location: Baulkham Hills, Sydney

Post by scblack »

Ah well, stuff the Kmart wine fridge cooler crap, I'm getting the thermostat Yardie has shown me, and a fridge from somewhere. As said, it can be used as a spare fridge if required.
Big Al
Posts: 18
Joined: Thursday Sep 16, 2004 10:04 pm

Brewing Fridge

Post by Big Al »

I looked up the aldoheat site and saw the THF 0-40oC (brew/fridge). So is this all I need to put in an old sealable fridge /freezer that dose'nt need to work? And works well? Or go for wine cooler?
Shaun
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Location: Melbourne
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Post by Shaun »

Big Al have a look at this discussion it talks about setups at the end and has some pics.

http://www.homebrewandbeer.com/forum/vi ... c&start=20
Redsicks
Posts: 63
Joined: Sunday Jun 26, 2005 8:50 pm
Location: Glen Waverley

Re: Brewing Fridge

Post by Redsicks »

Big Al wrote:I looked up the aldoheat site and saw the THF 0-40oC (brew/fridge). So is this all I need to put in an old sealable fridge /freezer that dose'nt need to work?
Big Al,

You will need a fridge/freezer that still works.

It looks like you plug your fridge/freezer power cord into the new thermostat then the new thermostat will turn on/off the freezer to keep the temp down to your set temperature.

If you live in an area that gets too cold at times you could ad a heater with a seperate thermostat to control the heating aswell.
Proost - Redsicks
JaCk_SpArRoW
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Post by JaCk_SpArRoW »

i running a THI 0*-40* in a 250 lt Chest Frzr, imo, it's much better than some fridge setups i've seen. (no chance of the fermenter falling out when the door is opened). It fits two Fermenters comfortably.

$113.00 with pstg. Just put the temp probe where the fermenter will be (approx), plug it in, set the temp and brew on.
Yardy, which thermo would you recommend out of them all?
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yardglass
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Location: Brewing in the Shed.

Post by yardglass »

i can't comment on the others mate.

the THI 0-40 is very good imho.

yard
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GOOD BREWS
JaCk_SpArRoW
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Post by JaCk_SpArRoW »

Thats the one for $90 yeah?
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yardglass
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Location: Brewing in the Shed.

Post by yardglass »

i paid $103 plus $10 postage.
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JaCk_SpArRoW
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Post by JaCk_SpArRoW »

Oh ok, so the Fan Control Model THF 0-40oC 10 Amp (brew/fridge use also) is the one you bought?
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yardglass
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Location: Brewing in the Shed.

Post by yardglass »

yardglass wrote:i can't comment on the others mate.

the THI 0-40 is very good imho.

yard
:oops: :lol: sorry dude, meant the THF.
excuse me... your karma just ran over my dogma.

GOOD BREWS
JaCk_SpArRoW
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Post by JaCk_SpArRoW »

Ahhh ha, I wasnt sure but now I am, cheers buddy! :wink:
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scblack
Posts: 454
Joined: Saturday Jul 23, 2005 9:12 pm
Location: Baulkham Hills, Sydney

Post by scblack »

yardglass wrote:
yardglass wrote:i can't comment on the others mate.

the THI 0-40 is very good imho.

yard
:oops: :lol: sorry dude, meant the THF.
Oh well, thats what I'll be buying I guess. THF 0-40.
"Not all chemicals are bad. Without chemicals such as hydrogen and oxygen, for example, there would be no way to make water, a vital ingredient in beer." - Dave Barry.
JaCk_SpArRoW
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Post by JaCk_SpArRoW »

Yeah same here...I like the idea of the LED thermometer as well from the pics that were posted :D

edit- what makes it even better, there's a jaycar elec store near me! :wink:
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Shaun
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Post by Shaun »

You need to use the THF 0-40 10 amp as it will handle the current involved in switching on and off a fridge/freezer compressor don't try and use the lower amp rated ones as they will burn out on you.

Also the THF turns on when the temp rises above the set point (for cooling), The THI turns on when the temp falls below the set point (for heating).

For those looking at starting mashing the Heat Control Model THB 30-110oC 10.0 Amp can be used with a bucket and water heating element to make a hot water urn for sparge water.
JaCk_SpArRoW
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Post by JaCk_SpArRoW »

Also the THF turns on when the temp rises above the set point (for cooling), The THI turns on when the temp falls below the set point (for heating).
So would this mean I would need both to do both settings?...heating & cooling?
I just want something that will control the temps for both lagers & ales...will the one unit handle both?
Will the THF ensure the temp inside the fridge maintains the level it is set at?...i.e 19*C for Ales, 9*C for lagers?
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