Deep Freezer for maintaining fermentation temps

[trefilov22]

Does anyone have any experience using a deep freezer for temperature controlling a fermentation? If so, how did you do it, what did you use, etc. etc. Pictures would be great!

 

[Rockn_M]

I have a chest freezer and have an stc-1000 set as my temperature control. It will control the freezer to cool down and a reptile heating pad to keep things warm.

 

[reefriot]

I use an upright freezer with STC-1000 also. I use a small forced air heater and it works great for fermenting in a 1/2 barrel

 

[E_Marquez]

Does anyone have any experience using a deep freezer for temperature controlling a fermentation? If so, how did you do it, what did you use, etc. etc. Pictures would be great!

Yes I have two, both with STC1000 dual stage controllers
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/another-fermentation-chamber-build-419917/

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/fermintation-chamber-ii-436962/

And there are many dozens of builds from other users here... Just search Fermentation chamber.... or freezer

 

[b-boy]

Look in the DIY section. There are a ton of these builds there. I've built 2 of them using the STC1000. Easy to do and worth the effort.

 

[smccarter]

I use one. Easy peasy... I use a johnson controller.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002EAL58/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

You can really complicate things, but the way I do it is as simple as it gets.

 

[trefilov22]

I have a chest freezer and have an stc-1000 set as my temperature control. It will control the freezer to cool down and a reptile heating pad to keep things warm.

So does the STC1000 have a plug for heat and one for cold?

 

[E_Marquez]

So does the STC1000 have a plug for heat and one for cold?

The STC1000 is a controller only, it has dual stage capability, so yes it can control a receptacle plug or hard wired heater and the freezer

 

[E_Marquez]

I use one. Easy peasy... I use a johnson controller.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002EAL58/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

You can really complicate things, but the way I do it is as simple as it gets.

That works if you want to limit yourself to a single stage (cooling only) if you want to control heat as well, that Johnson controller will not work.

So unless the Ferm Chamber will always be in a spot which has an ambient temp several deg or more above your Ferm chamber set point.. controlling a heater is needed.