FridgeMate HOWTO
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SpillsMostOfIt
- Posts: 789
- Joined: Friday Nov 24, 2006 5:07 pm
- Location: Collingwood, Australia
I've been thinking about this as I homebrew my own thing. I'm using a thermoelectric wine cooler as the basis of a thing which I expect to cool and to warm.
I can't find what I want/need/desire to make a thermowell out of, so I am thinking that if I got a piece of neoprene (or something similar) and cut a small hole in it around the centre, I could put the thermistor in the hole and sit the fermenter on the neoprene. Assuming a piece of wood or similar stuff under the neoprene/fermenter, it would be closer to the temperature of the fermenter than the surrounding air as it is not really engaging with the surrounding air. Also, I wouldn't need to tape it to the fermenter - it becomes part of the cooling equipment (as it 'should' be), and not something that has to be farnarkled with each time I insert a fermenter.
I believe a thermowell to be the best way of doing it, but that *could* be because the better way hasn't been found yet. (Of course, 'best' is subjective).
I can't find what I want/need/desire to make a thermowell out of, so I am thinking that if I got a piece of neoprene (or something similar) and cut a small hole in it around the centre, I could put the thermistor in the hole and sit the fermenter on the neoprene. Assuming a piece of wood or similar stuff under the neoprene/fermenter, it would be closer to the temperature of the fermenter than the surrounding air as it is not really engaging with the surrounding air. Also, I wouldn't need to tape it to the fermenter - it becomes part of the cooling equipment (as it 'should' be), and not something that has to be farnarkled with each time I insert a fermenter.
I believe a thermowell to be the best way of doing it, but that *could* be because the better way hasn't been found yet. (Of course, 'best' is subjective).
No Mash Tun. No Chill.
No confirmed fatalities.
No confirmed fatalities.
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beerdrinker
- Posts: 199
- Joined: Wednesday Oct 25, 2006 1:18 pm
- Location: sydney
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beerdrinker
- Posts: 199
- Joined: Wednesday Oct 25, 2006 1:18 pm
- Location: sydney
How bloody good is a Fridgemate!!!!!
Just sampled my first "Fridgemated" brew, it's a Charlie Papazian recipe, kit and kilo with a few hops, brewed at the right temp, in the bottle for only a fortnight and dead set I'm sold. Temp control issues solved with great tasting beer as a result, now I can concentrate on tweaking some other things to make it even better!!!
Flippo is one happy boy, just gotta use all my intestinal fortitude now not to drink two cartons too quick
Just sampled my first "Fridgemated" brew, it's a Charlie Papazian recipe, kit and kilo with a few hops, brewed at the right temp, in the bottle for only a fortnight and dead set I'm sold. Temp control issues solved with great tasting beer as a result, now I can concentrate on tweaking some other things to make it even better!!!
Flippo is one happy boy, just gotta use all my intestinal fortitude now not to drink two cartons too quick
Yep, I've said it many times - temp control to me is the most important factor in making great beer along with fresh ingredients....Flippo wrote:How bloody good is a Fridgemate!!!!!
Just sampled my first "Fridgemated" brew, it's a Charlie Papazian recipe, kit and kilo with a few hops, brewed at the right temp, in the bottle for only a fortnight and dead set I'm sold. Temp control issues solved with great tasting beer as a result, now I can concentrate on tweaking some other things to make it even better!!!
Flippo is one happy boy, just gotta use all my intestinal fortitude now not to drink two cartons too quick
cheers Ross
Yeah I'll say! How good is this for service, I ordered mine @ 3:30pm Yesterday arvo and it was hear in Frankston, Melb by 9:30am! Bloody impressive. Thanks Ross!
Will be popping into Jaycar this arvo for some parts and I should have it finished tonight
Will be popping into Jaycar this arvo for some parts and I should have it finished tonight
"Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer" 
OK all done, must say I'm pretty impressed. This little thing is awesome. I opted for the stainless probe to insert into the wort for more accurate temp readings. The guys at Grape and Grain helped me out with a washer, grommet and nut to suit.
I decided to use a pre ventilated case as apposed to a plastic one. I also soldered all connections to be extra safe and used 240v clipsal screw down connectors to insulate. Used cable ties on all cables to prevent tension on the leads and grommets to prevent damage.
Have a look at the pics and see what you think
I decided to use a pre ventilated case as apposed to a plastic one. I also soldered all connections to be extra safe and used 240v clipsal screw down connectors to insulate. Used cable ties on all cables to prevent tension on the leads and grommets to prevent damage.
Have a look at the pics and see what you think
"Beer makes you feel the way you ought to feel without beer"
I don't think so - if your fridge is not getting cold enough on its lowest setting, then I'm guessing it will already be running continually & it's faulty. If its a fault thermostat that's cutting out early, then yes it could work.gibbocore wrote:that looks pretty sweet!
on an aside, if my fridge isn't getting cold enough, can i use a fridgemate to bypass the thermostat to make the motor stay on longer so the fridge get's colder?
cheers Ross