Standard fridge capacity

[soupdragon]

Hi all

Something for a few months or so down the line but I'd like to get my head around it first.
Will a youngs 5 gallon ish fermenter and two cornys fit in a standard under counter fridge without a freezer compartment?

Cheers Tom

[simpleton]

There is no standard, they differ quite a bit. Especially when you consider how the bits like the light and compressor are fitted.

That said, you wouldn't get 2 cornies AND any fermentor in mine. It will just fit a 30litre FV.

Get a larder fridge if you have the space.

[soupdragon]

One of those tall ones you mean? Surely they're the same basic size apart from the hight? I will have the space once I've sorted the room out though.

Cheers Tom

[banjokat]

I don't think any standard 600 wide under counter fridge would take cornies AND FV. Mine certainly won't. It's one or the other I'm afraid.

[Jambo]

I measured up a few undercounter jobbies and found that a young's fermenter without airlock would fit but not with... Can work around that if you want but I decided to go for a tall larder fridge as space wasn't an issue.

[soupdragon]

So do people have two then? One for their fermenter and one for the kegs?

Cheers Tom

[Ren]

Yes, I have 2 fridges. During fermentation temperature will change in the fridge to keep beer temp constant + cold crashing, which wouldn't be good for dispensing because it needs constant temperatures.
I am in the progress of converting my 2nd fridge.
You could use 1 corny as Fermentation vessel and second for dispensing but again temperatures would fluctate.

[Fil]

So do people have two then? One for their fermenter and one for the kegs?

Cheers Tom

Yes if they want to ferment and sup at the same time, after all you dont want to be serving your beers at the usual beer fermenting temps..

while a keg fridge is probably the easiest to implement and get optimum results from its not the only solution, i use a shelf chiller for example

[Dave S]

Hi Tom

As others have said you wouldn't fit both in a single height fridge, and as others have also said it wouldn't be practicable anyway due to the differing temperature requirements of fermentation and storage.

[soupdragon]

I already suffer (?) my beer at room temperature.
From what I've read over the years I'd be better controlling my fermentation temperature before worrying about the kegs. I don't have room for two of the beasts, maybe there's something out there that's big enough? Not necessarily a standard fridge but anything as long as it'll take a fermenter and two kegs?

Cheers Tom

P.S. Good to see you " up and about again " Dave

[Jambo]

Entirely up to yourself I suppose but I'm struggling to see the point in getting picky over fermentation temperatures if you drink your beer warm! Get a refreshing pint and then worry if there is a bit too much banana, IMO...

[soupdragon]

-----if you drink your beer warm!

It's not out of choice, believe me.

I'm just trying to work out my best option between cooling the F/V or my kegs. Maybe cooling the fermenter then when it's finished, keep the kegs in there? Not exactly ideal but better than nothing I suppose.....

Cheers Tom

[Fil]

shelf chillers are noisy, create some heat and cost a bit in JG fittings to plumb up. but unlike the pub use ones running 24/7, you only need to run for 30 mins or so to create a 0C waterbath with no ice wall which is enough latent cold to chill a few pints for onself over an evening, a segment timer can run it while your driving home too..
if running like that a lil mod to run the recirc or agitator independent of the thermostaticly controlled compressor lets u make the most of the cold dump.

ebay should provide one on your doorstep sooner or later for £20-£50

a jocky box is a poormans shelf chiller with a ss or copper coil sat in a coldbox full of ice water..

outdoor event beerstands sit a keg in a container sat on ice, as u pour via a diptube/spear when kegging (unless u float pour) So.. u only need chill the bottom of a keg cos thats where u draw from mod a cat litter tray with a drain tap? tho towels and a bucket can absorb n remove melted ice when a top up is needed

where theres a will theres a way

[Dave S]

P.S. Good to see you " up and about again " Dave

Yeah thanks, Tom. Went to see my consultant on Wednesday and the results say I'm clear, though he still wants me to do some chemo as belt and braces. But fingers crossed.

[soupdragon]

shelf chillers are noisy, create some heat and cost a bit in JG fittings to plumb up. but unlike the pub use ones running 24/7, you only need to run for 30 mins or so to create a 0C waterbath with no ice wall which is enough latent cold to chill a few pints for onself over an evening, a segment timer can run it while your driving home too..
if running like that a lil mod to run the recirc or agitator independent of the thermostaticly controlled compressor lets u make the most of the cold dump.

ebay should provide one on your doorstep sooner or later for £20-£50

a jocky box is a poormans shelf chiller with a ss or copper coil sat in a coldbox full of ice water..

outdoor event beerstands sit a keg in a container sat on ice, as u pour via a diptube/spear when kegging (unless u float pour) So.. u only need chill the bottom of a keg cos thats where u draw from mod a cat litter tray with a drain tap? tho towels and a bucket can absorb n remove melted ice when a top up is needed

where theres a will theres a way

Cheers Fil

I'll have to work out what space I've got and cost versus benefit. Without looking into proper dimensions and such I'm probably leaning towards sharing time in the fridge. Ferment then kegs and see how that goes for a while.
I've got one of those timers spare so it might come in handy

Cheers Tom