Printable View
Before you say I'm crazy, take a look at this. It appears that this device can control temperature settings from 20-80 degrees in a chest freezer or refrigerator. How do you think it'd work with about a 4 degree swing. Using it on a non defrosting freezer with some kind of humidity control just might make for a cheap temperature controlled humi.
Comments?
http://ceisites.com/9025.html
I seen pictures of Fridgeador's, I see if I can find one for you.
I've seen fridgeadors, but I thought they were usually just non functioning old refrigerators or freezers with some kind of humidifier in them. This would allow you to plug a cheapie fridge or freezer in and set the temp at, say, 64 which would keep the inside between 62-66 degrees. It overrides the built in thermostat to keep the unit at some temperature above the refrigerator or freezer's built in thermostat. Just don't know if the temperature swing would be too much or if a non-defrosting unit would dry the air out.
How about just using an old chest freezer without pluging it in and just loading it up with the required amount of beads? I have a chest freezer in my basement that I've considered doing this with.
yeah my thoughts exactly. Don't bother pluging it in, or wasting your $$ on that fancy thingy.Quote:
Originally Posted by CoventryCat86
Temp control is just a bonus I'd think, not absolutely necessary. Home brewers use a lot of these for lagering or more controlled ale ferementing. Home vintners use them too I think. The stand up ones can also be used as wine cellars for the wine collector.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenyth
I agree. For me and probably most it isn't really an issue most of the time. But here in Colorado we have had a record 17 days of 90+ degrees so far this year. For those without A/C this could be a really cheap alternative to a temperature controlled humidor
Used or inexpensive new non defrosting fridge or freezer --- $150-200
Temperature controller --- $80
A couple pounds of beads --- $60
No worries about beetles --- PRICELESS!
So, if this is viable it'd make a pretty cheap solution for someone who needs it.
I don't personally think I need it, but I thought it'd be a good topic to discuss for those who might.
Problem I see with using a chest freezer is the type of cooling they use is just like a regular fridge isn't it? The implication of that being it will suck the humidity out of the air making an endless battle to try and keep the thing properly humidified. If it was a beat up old thing and you just use it as a place to store cigars with a pound or two of beads in there, that might work. If its in the basement the temp is probably a bit cooler and would work ok.
If it is big enough.... How about just putting the humidor inside the fridgedor to help mellow out any humidity swings from the compressor.
Just a thought...
Chest freezers are pretty popular with homebrewers because they're dirt cheap compared to refrigerators, etc.
For lagering/serving beers, you can just hook up a temp controller. For cigars, I don't think you'd want any tamp control at all (I think it would dry out cigars if it tried to cool)
Yeah, have you seen how much a single keg kegerator costs? Like 1200-1500 bucks new! Buying a used chest freezer, a tap tower kit, and an external temperature controller will run maybe a third of that price. A great asset for the home bar! I dream of having one someday. For now the basement is just that, a basement.Quote:
Originally Posted by SuperChuck