Beer Forum

So I'm thinking about making a walk in cooler down in my basement. I see this as a way to kill three birds with one stone: kegerator, fermentation controll, and storage. Has any one done this before? I've look at the pics from the MrMalty.com. Is it really hard to temp controll a a/c unit? I'm still in the planning/dreaming stage. Is this even a feasible idea? What should I consider: materials, insulation, etc....?

Any feedback, resources, ideas, or questions are welcome. I think this could be a cool topic.

Cheers!

Here's a link to a bunch of pictures of a cold room a guy from The Knights of the Mashing Fork, a Connecticut Brew club, built. This should give you an idea of what you might need.


KOMF Cold Room

Check out this thread over on HBT. A great design with a lot of pictures - should give you some good ideas of things to do and things to not do.

This is on my project list too...

Thanks for both the links. There are really helpful.

Do you think that the A/C unit needs to be in a window? Or could it be in one of the walls facing out to the basement? I ask because I leave in Cleveland, OH, and winter around here can be pretty rough.

TimC wrote:Check out this thread over on HBT. A great design with a lot of pictures - should give you some good ideas of things to do and things to not do.

This is on my project list too...

This guy's walkin is awesome. I came across it a year or so ago and it made me want to build one too.

Techie101 wrote:

TimC wrote:Check out this thread over on HBT. A great design with a lot of pictures - should give you some good ideas of things to do and things to not do.

This is on my project list too...

This guy's walkin is awesome. I came across it a year or so ago and it made me want to build one too.

After reading through that thread I have a major chubby. That is a sweet DIY project.

ok im using agne;s thread so i dont have to start a new one, but after my last batch after moving failed because i couldnt control the temp, im gonna convert a small part of my shed out back into a fermenting room.
basically i wanna convert a spot about 4'x5' or so, enough to store several fermenters. but heres what Im thinking-i'll be insulating the crap out of it, then installing an a/c unit it in, and putting my plug in electric heater as well. I wanna/am getting a ranco two stage temp controller.
http://www.rancoetc.com/ranco-etc211000 ... 2222ce25c1
ive seen the wiring for the a/c unit, but im not planning on runnin it down past 50 ish, im only doing ales so if i can control it in the 60s im good, i can cold crash in my hop fridge.
Can I just plug the a/c unit into the temp controller and have it kick on when it needs it rather than do the full out rewire. Im planning on pluggin the heater into the other plug for when it starts cooling off in the fall.

overall-can i just plug the a/c into the temp controller and have it work like that.
-cRUT

ps, i posted that link because B3 is on backorder. I cant wait, must do now.

As long as the thermostat in the A/C goes down as low as you want to keep your room, then that shouldn't be a problem - but I don't think most A/C units will go down that low. If that is the case, then the A/C will shut off before it ever gets down to the set temp on the Ranco.

So you will want to check the specs on your A/C unit before you decide anything.