Jonty Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 I’ve wanted to make one of these for years but didn’t have the space until now. Basically it’s a miniature beer cellar. You modify a fridge or freezer by fitting a heater in it, and a digital temperature controller. Your beer kegs go inside, you can dial in your perfect serving temperature and if it’s too warm, the fridge chills, too cold, the heater kicks in so you can have constant perfect temperature beer all year round. I’m not quite finished yet, and any time served joiners - please don’t look too closely at the wood work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted October 29, 2019 Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 I’ve seen similar with a hole drilled through the insulation on the top of a single fridge and the tap placed on top. what’s the shelf life on a typical keg? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted October 29, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 29, 2019 Markm, I’ve don’t know what the definitive life is but I’ve had beers on the kegs for 3-4 months. Lots of brewers use the Cornelius or ‘corny’ kegs like mine in the photo. They were originally for the soft drinks industry but great for home brew as they are way to fill/re-use and easy to clean. By purging them with Co2 (from a pub gas bottle) before you fill them the beer never gets in contact with air and therefore doesn’t start to go off,. You then effectively push the beer out with more Co2 so it stays fresh in the keg. Unlike a cask (like hand pull beer in a pub) where you let air in so the beer only lasts a week or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 How are you doing wiring up the thermostat? I've got all the kit ready to build, but that's the only thing stopping me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted October 30, 2019 Report Share Posted October 30, 2019 You can find wiring diagrams online. Personally I'd get a sparkle in. Not worth mixing electrickery with home built kit. Burn the house down and insurers may say no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonty Posted October 31, 2019 Author Report Share Posted October 31, 2019 8 hours ago, Fatcatsplat said: How are you doing wiring up the thermostat? I've got all the kit ready to build, but that's the only thing stopping me. What temp controller have you got? I am re-purposing anSTC100 that I’ve had for donkeys for this. If you are using the same, I’ll take you some photos of the original wiring and as I re-wire it. It’s really straightforward- definitely not something to be too concerned about , I’d be glad to help you out if it was any benefit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vmaxphil Posted November 1, 2019 Report Share Posted November 1, 2019 If anybody wants to make one for Christmas I've still got a freezer going for free Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fatcatsplat Posted November 1, 2019 Report Share Posted November 1, 2019 On 31/10/2019 at 00:18, Jonty said: What temp controller have you got? I am re-purposing anSTC100 that I’ve had for donkeys for this. If you are using the same, I’ll take you some photos of the original wiring and as I re-wire it. It’s really straightforward- definitely not something to be too concerned about , I’d be glad to help you out if it was any benefit. Yup - STC100 is the fella. Photos would be brilliant. I'm definitely a monkey see monkey do kind of bloke! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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