Seeking advice on my kegerator and fermentation chamber. I already have a chest style freezer at my disposal. Need to know what to use it for - fermentation or serving? Also, what should the other appliance be? So far I have a small list of pros/cons. Incidentally my kegging needs are only 2-3 taps ever, plus a bunch of bottles to compare old batches against new.
chest freezer as kegerator PROs: lots of space for kegs, energy efficient
chest freezer as kegerator CONs: must install a collar.
chest freezer as ferm chamber PROs: lots of space, energy efficient
chest freezer as ferm chamber CONs: moving carboys in/out is difficult and will agitate the yeast cake. Also won't be great for storing bottles.
upright freezer/fridge as kegerator PROs: good layout for a few kegs+bottles
upright freezer/fridge as kegerator CONs: apparently coolant runs through the shelves? But only in some of them? Someone help?
upright freezer/fridge as ferm chamber PROs: enough space, no mods required, and easy to put carboys in and rack out without disturbing the yeast
upright freezer/fridge as ferm chamber CONs: again that coolant issue? The shelves might not be movable because of that?
chest freezer as kegerator PROs: lots of space for kegs, energy efficient
chest freezer as kegerator CONs: must install a collar.
chest freezer as ferm chamber PROs: lots of space, energy efficient
chest freezer as ferm chamber CONs: moving carboys in/out is difficult and will agitate the yeast cake. Also won't be great for storing bottles.
upright freezer/fridge as kegerator PROs: good layout for a few kegs+bottles
upright freezer/fridge as kegerator CONs: apparently coolant runs through the shelves? But only in some of them? Someone help?
upright freezer/fridge as ferm chamber PROs: enough space, no mods required, and easy to put carboys in and rack out without disturbing the yeast
upright freezer/fridge as ferm chamber CONs: again that coolant issue? The shelves might not be movable because of that?