Upright freezer fermentation cabinet

[JamesF]

I have an old upright freezer that I'm thinking of repurposing for my fermentation cabinet, using a tube heater and ATC800+, probably combined with a 4" PC fan to keep the air circulating.

Does this sound like a sane approach?

If it works, it might well do double-time as a honey-warmer.

James

[BenB]

Sounds spot on although not sure of the advantage of the atc over the stc. If you go with a pc fan you'll need a 12v supply. 240v ac fans are pretty cheap and my preferred choice.

A honey warmer sounds like something from Ann Summers

[Jim]

You'll be OK as long as there are no coolant pipes in the way.

[JamesF]

Sounds spot on although not sure of the advantage of the atc over the stc. If you go with a pc fan you'll need a 12v supply. 240v ac fans are pretty cheap and my preferred choice.

A honey warmer sounds like something from Ann Summers

The advantage of the ATC is that I have one sitting about doing nothing Much the same with the PC fan and PSU to be honest. I generally hang on to the "wall-wart" PSUs when electronic stuff dies. They often come in handy.

The "alternative" interpretation of "honey warmer" hadn't struck me before

In storage some honey tends to solidify, much like it can do in the jar (especially if you store it in 15 lb tubs in the cellar as I do). How much depends on what sort of flowers the bees collected the nectar from to make it. To bottle it the honey must then be warmed up to about the same temperature as the inside of the hive so it will go runny again.

Given that I have several hundred pounds of honey that's gone solid on me though, I think experiments with mead may be in my future...

James

[IPA]

In storage some honey tends to solidify,

Heat it in a microwave until it liquefies and it will take much longer if ever to go solid again.

[BenB]

The advantage of the ATC is that I have one sitting about doing nothing Much the same with the PC fan and PSU to be honest. I generally hang on to the "wall-wart" PSUs when electronic stuff dies.....

Sounds a good plan then less procastinating, more building then

[JamesF]

In storage some honey tends to solidify,

Heat it in a microwave until it liquefies and it will take much longer if ever to go solid again.

For personal use in small volumes that's bearable though I try to avoid it if possible. The food standards people tend to get a bit sniffy about it if you're selling the honey though If honey is too warm for too long it produces some compounds that are only allowed in honey for sale at very low levels.

James

[Fil]

fwiw thats the hardware additions i made for my fermenting fridge, i like the large illuminated temperature dispaly thats clearly visible at a glance from the other side of the room of the atc800+ i need the right light and specs to read a stc1000..

works well for me.