41 replies to this topic

[gnef]

Another option is to get an upright freezer that can fit your conical, and put the temperature controller on that. This may be one of the easier routes.

[HVB]

I am going the AC route. Bought some peltiers but in the long run decided they will not work for what I want and I read some post on another site where someone tried the ice probe and the results were also not desired. I got mine down into the 50's with a crude box and an AC unit last summer. Definitely the way to go.

[No Party JKor]

Another option is to get an upright freezer that can fit your conical, and put the temperature controller on that. This may be one of the easier routes.

Right, same idea. A compressor-driven chilled box. The nice thing about the AC is that you can configure your box any way you want and pretty much any size you want.

[No Party JKor]

Yup, with anything less than walk-in sized, you can get it down below freezing with an AC.

[harryfrog]

if he's making it for you - can't you have him jacket it and use the home-made glycol chiller in a freezer option?

[djinkc]

Id consider washer fluid instead of glycol. The stuff goes down pretty low, low enough for the needs of cooling a conical and its tons cheaper

Tastes better too.

[SchwanzBrewer]

You guys have grandiose ideas.I like the idea of making my own foam chill box. I don't want another freezer, I already have a full fridge/freezer that I am turning into a kegerator eventually. If I got a freezer the GF would find a way to use it for something other than brewing. If I make a dedicated box she won't mess with it. I'll have to talk to my FFIL, he seemed like he was going off half cocked to get a conical welded and I would like to make sure he knows what the heck I need. He used to homebrew a LONG time ago so he is excited for me. I couldn't really ask for a better FFIL though.Cheers,Rich

[No Party JKor]

What's an FFIL?

[SchwanzBrewer]

What's an FFIL?

Future Father in Law

[SchwanzBrewer]

Might try TMS. Solid spun.https://www.toledome...oducts/hoppers/

Yeah, those are expensive. My FFIL has a line on getting me the material and labor for the conical for homebrew.

[Stout_fan]

I was talking to the guys at TMS about doing a jacketed conical. I was working on getting four others at my HB clubs buying into my crazed scheme. Almost there, and then I let it fall apart. But a jacketed, and insulated, conical is the way to go. Just be sure your FFIL does sanitary welds and makes them nice and pretty so bugs can't hide in the crevices.

[SchwanzBrewer]

I was talking to the guys at TMS about doing a jacketed conical. I was working on getting four others at my HB clubs buying into my crazed scheme. Almost there, and then I let it fall apart. But a jacketed, and insulated, conical is the way to go. Just be sure your FFIL does sanitary welds and makes them nice and pretty so bugs can't hide in the crevices.

Good advice. I'll mention that to him.-Rich

[Stout_fan]

And put in 1 1/2" triclove in bottom. They're available in 4" length. And a 1" I think for the racking port. You can actually get a racking arm from more beer that will work perfectly in 1" triclove.

[siouxbrewer]

A sankey keg with sanitary cap fitting sounds like a good (cheap) alternative. No seams/welding etc like MW2 mentioned and scrap prices for used kegs. Again you may have a line on a fabricator who works for a pittance, in which case you are a fortunate man. I'd go with a craigslist fridge with Love controller for maintaining those temps, or go with the window AC unit and build yourself an insulated box.

[HarvInSTL]

During my research I've found this link.Nice homebuilt fermentation chamber that uses an A/C unit:https://forum.embeddedcontrolconcepts.com/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=183

[Howie]

Get a used 5,000 btu AC off craigslist, build a foam box. BAM! fermentation control. You're not going to get anything cheaper, easier or more effective than that.

Any links to examples or plans online? I've been considering this myself.The one Harv posted is awesome, but a bit much for my house!!