Beer Forum

I live in an apartment and I need to control fermentation temperature better. will better bottles fit in a mini fridge. How big (cubit feet) or what brands should I look at?

I'm also in an apt, and was going to go for a mini fridge. I ended up going for a smaller size chest freezer, and i'm very glad I did. Doesn't take up near as much room as I'd thought, and I have the ability to keep multiple fermenters going in there if I please.

I modified a Sanyo by extending the front with 2 x 6 boards and some insulation. The mod is completely reversible with no noticeable effect on the fridge. I use a temp controller and can fit 1 better bottle in there at a time. I only have capacity for 2 kegs in my kegerator (I live in an apartment with this setup too... lol) and don't bottle anymore so I have no real need/demand to have more than 1 batch going at a time. If I do have something in a carboy that requires a long time in there, I throw it in the fridge for the first two weeks and then put it in a cool corner of a closet to age out.

I just moved out of my apartment and into a house with the in-laws (yaaaaaaay.)
Before I moved I got a Haier mini-fridge. I had to take the plastic shelving/can dispenser off of the inside of the door, and fold back the freezer tray to make it all work. My big 6.5 gallon carboy fits with like 5mm of space above it. I have to use tin foil for the primary, but that's actually better for the beer in my opinion.
I just recently got a better bottle (6 gallon) and it fits in there really nicely. Lots of room on both sides and a little more room above it.

My best advice is measure your vessel and bring a tape measure to the store with you before you buy.

Best of luck and cheers!

I have had a thought, I wonder if the 40qt. thermoelectric cooler from coleman would work. I could use my current temp. controller with it. Has anyone done this?

hopshead wrote:I have had a thought, I wonder if the 40qt. thermoelectric cooler from coleman would work. I could use my current temp. controller with it. Has anyone done this?

Don't try it, the inside of the cooler is too small. Now I have to go return this at Walmart.

The September 2002 BYO had a DIY kegerator that could work for you. Basically, you build an insulated box and attach the fridge to the top, drill two large holes through both for air circulation and use the bottom for kegs, etc. I have scanned it into a PDF. PM me with your email if you'ld like a copy.