Newbeerguy
Well-Known Member
I brew out in my garage, and since I live in Ohio, we have pretty dramatic temperature swings. I needed to build something so I could ferment in my conical out in the garage. Originally I was going to purchase an upright freezer and stick the conical in it, but I couldn't find a freezer that it fit in. I am using a Stout Tanks & Kettles 20 Gallon Conical. They state on their website that it will fit in a Frigidaire freezer.....but not without having to cut out the door panel. Still it was a super tight fight...much tighter than I wanted. I also needed to find a way to heat it as well. So I decided to build my own chamber. This is what I came up with:
My dimensions are 4'L X 3'6"W X 4'H. The fridge I use to cool it sits on a platform off to side and isn't included in those dimensions.
First off I built a floor. I used 2x4's and insulated the joists with R-13 insulation. I covered with 3/8" Plywood. If I were to do it over again, I'd go 1/2" on the floor. I ended up cutting some plates from 2X6's to reinforce the floor where the conical sits.
First pic of the floor with the 2x4 walls up:
Here is a pic of the fridge in place:
Now with wall insulation: (More R-13)
After the wall insulation, I covered the walls in 1/2 rigid foam insulation: ***EDIT I also added 2" rigid insulation to the walls***
Now the door. I used 2 layers of 1.5" rigid foam insulation on that:
The moment of truth.....let's see if the conical fits!
Success!! I have about 2" of clearence above the blowoff hose:
This is a parts list for the build:
16 - 2x4 x 8' Studs
3 - 4x8 Sheets 3/8" Sanded Plywood
1 - 4x8 Sheet 1/2" OSB (for underneath chamber)
3 - 4x8 Sheets 1/2" Rigid Foam Insulation
1 - 4x8 Sheet 1 1/2" Rigid Foam Insulation (for the door)
1 - 4x8 Sheet 2" Rigid Foam Insulation ***Add on after build was complete for better performance***
2 - Rolls R13 Insulation (for floor and inside walls)
1- 1lb 1 5/8" Primeguard Screws
1 - 1lb 2 1/2" Primeguard Screws
5 - Tubes Loctite PL Premium Adhesive
3 - Tubes DAP White Silicone
2 - 3 1/2" Hinges
2 - 4" Heavy Duty Barrel Bolts
1 - Handle for door
1 - 4" Desk Fan
1 - Control Products TC-9102D Dual Stage Temperature Controller
I already had the mini fridge and the space heater and wire, but those should be added into the parts list as well. I got everything at Home Depot expect the 4" desk fan which I picked up at Walmart and the temperature controller I ordered off of Amazon.
My dimensions are 4'L X 3'6"W X 4'H. The fridge I use to cool it sits on a platform off to side and isn't included in those dimensions.
First off I built a floor. I used 2x4's and insulated the joists with R-13 insulation. I covered with 3/8" Plywood. If I were to do it over again, I'd go 1/2" on the floor. I ended up cutting some plates from 2X6's to reinforce the floor where the conical sits.
First pic of the floor with the 2x4 walls up:
Here is a pic of the fridge in place:
Now with wall insulation: (More R-13)
After the wall insulation, I covered the walls in 1/2 rigid foam insulation: ***EDIT I also added 2" rigid insulation to the walls***
Now the door. I used 2 layers of 1.5" rigid foam insulation on that:
The moment of truth.....let's see if the conical fits!
Success!! I have about 2" of clearence above the blowoff hose:
This is a parts list for the build:
16 - 2x4 x 8' Studs
3 - 4x8 Sheets 3/8" Sanded Plywood
1 - 4x8 Sheet 1/2" OSB (for underneath chamber)
3 - 4x8 Sheets 1/2" Rigid Foam Insulation
1 - 4x8 Sheet 1 1/2" Rigid Foam Insulation (for the door)
1 - 4x8 Sheet 2" Rigid Foam Insulation ***Add on after build was complete for better performance***
2 - Rolls R13 Insulation (for floor and inside walls)
1- 1lb 1 5/8" Primeguard Screws
1 - 1lb 2 1/2" Primeguard Screws
5 - Tubes Loctite PL Premium Adhesive
3 - Tubes DAP White Silicone
2 - 3 1/2" Hinges
2 - 4" Heavy Duty Barrel Bolts
1 - Handle for door
1 - 4" Desk Fan
1 - Control Products TC-9102D Dual Stage Temperature Controller
I already had the mini fridge and the space heater and wire, but those should be added into the parts list as well. I got everything at Home Depot expect the 4" desk fan which I picked up at Walmart and the temperature controller I ordered off of Amazon.