8'x2'x3' fermentation chamber

[Dennis_W]

I'm looking to build a fermentation chamber and put it in my garage. For space reasons I'm needing to make it long and skinny. My thought was 8' long 2' wide and 3' tall. I plan to insulate it with 1" foam board and use an a/c unit for the cooling that will be located on one end. The door is set to be 3'-8" long so I can access both sides of the chamber easily.

Will this work in Illinois where summers can reach 100F and winters -10F in an uninsulated garage? Any comments or suggestions are welcomed!

 

[limulus]

I built one 4x4x4 in my garage. It has only hit 90 twice this year around Atlanta, but that is changing this week. So far, mine is working great. I have not decided what to use for heat just yet. Our lows in winter are not below the 20s very often.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/5000-btu-fermention-chamber-419304/

 

[RickBrewski]

think about using two dorm size fridges on the opposite ends of the chamber.. tied to the same controller.. its an idea I have not explored.. but might be an option.

 

[wilserbrewer]

How well will your door seal? Will the AC unit vent to the outside, or just make a hot garage even hotter? Depending on the size of the AC unit, and how it is constructed, this should work very well! Do you really not have room for a cheap / free chest freezer or refrigerator available on craigslist rather than building an elaborate device that will cost more to build and more to run????

Obviously you will need a temp controller and heat source for winter time!

 

[Dennis_W]

Good to hear limulus! If you have any suggestions on getting a good seal on the door I'm all ears!!

I like the two fridge option. However, I'll be building this with very little approval from my wife and the a/c unit I got for free so if went and bought two used fridges I'd be in big trouble!

It will just be venting into the garage making it hotter. And Yea I do not have room for a freezer. The chamber will sit in front of where I park my truck...if the chamber/chest freezer is any deeper my truck won't fit inside the garage and be able to shut the door. I will check on the size of the a/c unit this morning. And I haven't really thought how to get a good seal on the door...any thoughts or suggestions?

I think this is the a/c unit i have.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DTWBV0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[limulus]

Good to hear limulus! If you have any suggestions on getting a good seal on the door I'm all ears!!

I like the two fridge option. However, I'll be building this with very little approval from my wife and the a/c unit I got for free so if went and bought two used fridges I'd be in big trouble!

It will just be venting into the garage making it hotter. And Yea I do not have room for a freezer. The chamber will sit in front of where I park my truck...if the chamber/chest freezer is any deeper my truck won't fit inside the garage and be able to shut the door. I will check on the size of the a/c unit this morning. And I haven't really thought how to get a good seal on the door...any thoughts or suggestions?

I think this is the a/c unit i have.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004DTWBV0/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

My garage has windows and I leave on of them cracked open a little. So far, I have not noticed it being any hotter.

I'll take photo of the inner doors and post it. I did a very similar thing with the coffin box on my keezer and the seal is very good. I used a laser thermometer to look for cold air leaks.