Cooling a 27-gallon Fermenator...

[bwarbiany]

Hmm... So Dustin & I typically brew 15-gallon batches. Given some of our fermentation problems (infection), I've been really getting ready to pull the trigger on a conical. My Northern Brewer catalog just arrived, and I see they have Fermenators.

14-gallon -- $598
27-gallon -- $798

The extra capacity seems worth it to me. Just one problem -- our fridge can only accommodate the 14-gallon Fermenator.

What can I do to keep this sucker cool?

[maltbarley]

Cheapest and easiest way will be a Coke fridge or commercial cooler.

Here's a smokin deal: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bfs/1569747452.html

[brianc]

Here's a smokin deal: http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/bfs/1569747452.html

Dang. That has me thinking I need a big fridge in my garage again...

[backyard brewer]

I have a fridge like that. It's really nice to have around for lagering and aging beers.

[oc eric]

$200 for a commercial grade frig is a *STEAL*

Unfortunately, I don't think my wife will let me have a 5th refrigerator

[backyard brewer]

[quote="oc eric"]$200 for a commercial grade frig is a *STEAL*quote]

Yep... That's less than I ended up paying for the "free" one I got.

Just got home from helping JWard "steal" this one

[jward]

Yup with many thanks to Derrin I now have this one in the garage. I need to add casters and rearrange the garage a bit.

[maltbarley]

Glad to hear you got it worked out. is it nice enough?

[BrewMasterBrad]

Yup with many thanks to Derrin I now have this one in the garage. I need to add casters and rearrange the garage a bit.

Nice work. Sorry I couldn't help out, but I'm glad you got it.

[jward]

Glad to hear you got it worked out. is it nice enough?

It seems to be in great shape for even twice the price! He had plugged it in on our way over and it was a chilly 40F. It looked like it had a fair bit of kitchen grease that was mostly cleaned off. It will need some more cleaning but not too much. The doors looked like they may have been designed to hold panels. If the SS doesn't polish up I can drop in some melamine and have some nice dry write space. Part of the answer should include I have not given it a thorough inspection. It is white and not stainless inside, but seemed to be in good shape. The pictures in the add were accurate.

[lars]

When I helped Patrick move one several years ago (pre Bruery), it was loaded with grease too. I think that is one of the side effects of residing in a commercial kitchen.

Hopefully it cleans up for you John. I wish I had room for a fridge like that.

[oc eric]

I'm glad you got it John. That kept me from begging my wife for the $200

[jward]

Since I already hijacked the thread....
I picked up some stem casters from Harbor Freight Tools. They add 3-4" height and are only rated for 100lbs each. I was chatting with a friend about the project and he said he can give me 4 ball casters close to image below. They will add almost no height since they barely clear the base that held the legs. I will have to make some wedges or such to keep it from rolling around. The HF casters had 0.5" 20tpi stem. Homer Despot didn't have nuts for them. They only carried the course 13tpi nuts. Also, I don't think I have a drill bit or chuck large enough for a 0.5" hole in steel. The ball caster has a smaller stem so I won't have to borrow or buy.