Question on fermentation fridge size

[Matt in Birdham]

I currently ferment in a small chest freezer, which is perfect for the job, if a little large.
Having recently picked up some kegs, I plan on making a keezer out of my freezer, which would leave me short a fermentation chamber. I could of course try to pick up another chest freezer, but they are a bit harder to come by than fridges (and take up more room), and I figured that a small fridge would be enough to ferment a single batch in. My question really is does anyone know what size fridge I would need to be able to fit a standard 25l bucket + airlock? Ideally with room underneath for my tube heater. It's hard to tell from ebay listings, and most of the under counter models look like a tight fit once the compressor hump is factored in. Unfortunately internal dimensions (or even decent internal pics) are not common for the listings, so if anyone can point me to known models (or rough capacity in litres) that work that would be great.

[phil.dadd]

I manage to fit one of the standard 32l plastic buckets with a blow off (though will also fit with a standard bubbler airlock) into an integrated undercounter fridge - which are smaller than normal undercounter ones. A standard undercounter fridge should be fine.

[sonicated]

I've ordered some smaller 25 litre fermenters and plan to take one into Curry's with me, airlock and and all.

I bought a fridge on eBay but it was too small and didn't work - I can't be doing with the hassle of it again so will buy new.

[scotsloon]

So try Freecycle or Freegle (whatever operates in your area). The fridge will be free and you can ensure that its A/ Working and B/ large enough to suit your purposes without the outlay of a large amount of cash. If it does not fit your criteria then thank them for their time and go on to the next one. I have 4 instances of Freecycle/freegle in my area and there is a Fridge on one of those sites most days. I have got 2 fridges from this source over the years.

[Matt in Birdham]

Thanks chaps. Yeah I don't want to be messing people around on ebay (or wasting my time), and I have been keeping an eye on freecycle (where I got my freezer), but not a lot comes up round my way.
My bucket is 45cm tall, and factor in 10cm for an airlock (probably not generous) which makes 55cm. Most of the half size fridges seem to be 85-90cm tall, but I don't know what you would factor in for compressor hump and top/bottom widths. Perhaps 25cm for the compressor and 20cm for top/bottom combined - so it would be tight at best, and probably not quite. I'd be keen to see pics of people using this sort of fridge for fermenting.
I do remember seeing a pic (I think on here) of a very squat 25l fermentor that might be a good solution - although the money I'd save on the fridge would then have to go on new fermentors Any ideas what that fermentor might have been?

[Matt in Birdham]

Found a short fermentor - this brupaks: http://www.brewuk.co.uk/brupak-30-fermenter.html It's not the one I was thinking of, but it could work - usefully they list the overall height, which is 43cm including airlock. Should be doable in just about any fridge.. although a couple of those will be £70 on their own(!).

[scotsloon]

Do you have an Icecream manufacturers near you. They handle food grade buckets (mostly for cream) and other containers which can be used for formentors. If you ask nicely you'll probably get them for free.

[jubby]

Just sold my old fermenting fridge which was a standard under counter type and it took a standard 30 litre fermenter comfortably. I don't use airlocks but they would have fitted. You need a larder fridge (no freezer compartment at the top)

[Fil]

imho unless your fermenting in shiny conicals or other hugely expensive containers, get the cheapest fridge you can and if too small for some fv's simply switch to alternatives that do..

well thats what i did when my buckets wouldnt fit into the brewfridge i knocked up, i moved from buckets to 4"neck wine fermentors and 25l cuboid jerrycans

[Jocky]

My undercounter fridge won't fit a 25 litre fermenting bucket with an s or bubbler airlock in the top. It's about 2cm too tall when on top of the compressor hump, and I can't fit it in front of the hump.

I've used an old hambleton bard major airlock fine (see below) though and a blowoff is also fine.

[Brewedout]

I just use a small under counter fridge I got off freecycle and cover the airlock hole with a folded piece of clingfilm taped down on 2 of its edges with insulation tape. This makes it easier to manoeuvre into and out of the fridge as you have more head space.

[Fil]

you dont need an airlock with beer, compared to a wine say, its a fast n furious fermentation especially in a fridge set to the optimum temp, and then with the door shut you cant hear the reassuring glug thats the only benefit from an airlock on a beer imho