Fermentation Chest

[gaza the instructor]

Very shortly I am going to build my
man cave. As a result I will be
moving in all my gear.
I want to build a brew chest, this is just
an idea and would like your thoughts and
advise before I start and really cock it up.
Frame made from 1.5" batton, 9mm ply cladding,
insulated top, bottom and all sides with 1.5"
Celotex ( that's the stuff with silver foil).
And lined with 9mm ply.
Front and top hinged for access. Big enough
for 4x 30ltr bins.
heating by pads one per bin.
cooling by 2 large ice packs slide in top.
Some type of temp thingy ?
And a nice padded seat on the top.
Your thoughts please....

[Icefever]

You seem to have it all sorted Gaz....build photos please when the times right..

[gaza the instructor]

Just an idea at the mo. Wanted to tuck them
away and use as a bench for seating as well

[Mash]

Brilliant idea. I have a game chiller (Eski) very similar shape.

You could even put a controller in and control the temp? Think about ventilation.

The most important thing that struck me .... is you might want to make the front flop down or open in some way. If you build this as a chest and these are 25L batches that is 25 kg + drum = a bad back. Unless of course you fancy building a matching hoist

[gaza the instructor]

yes cheers Mash.
Was going to put the front and top on
hinges and bolts to lock in place.
Ventilation ? small meshed area each end
When you say a controller? Is that like a
thermometer ?

[Benoit]

It will be something with a thermometer in that can cut or reinstate the power to the pads if it gets too warm in there. Unless you get really technical & have something that can run cool air in there too should you ever need to get below ambient temperature or cool quickly...think big fridge!

[Curmudgeon]

+1 to hoist/pulley system, but generally sounds awesome.

[Mash]

For ventilation I would just have 6 10mm holes each end. 3 at the top 3 at the bottom.

Temperature control: probe connected to a controller set to 28c after that it cuts off the power to the heater. Later when it cools down the power is turned on again automatically and the heating comes on again. A "must have" for this kind of project.

The garden centers do black plastic growing trays in various sizes. I would design mine around one of these... We all have fermented volcanoes and this will clean up easy.

How big are you thinking?

[gaza the instructor]

Big enough for 4 bins,not measured yet.
About 7ft long 2ft deep and 2ft 6" high.
like idea on temp control.
As the cabin will be well insulated, the temp
should be quite stable. Or that's what I was
aiming at.

[Mash]

What sort of bins?

These are v good https://burnleyhomebrew.co.uk/index.php ... Atdl8P8HAQ

But don't freeze the handles...

[Benoit]

That's a great price for those Mash, I've only ever seen em £18-20

[Mash]

Tesco direct sometimes have them on special.

I have a few, these do all my small ferments. Personally I think these are better than stainless.

Better get that gin started....

[gaza the instructor]

just ordered 4 of these.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Holds-Litres-Stainless-Container-Opening/dp/B00GXN8R76/ref=pd_sim_sbs_201_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=V2HA91M4R7D46GK9G58H
will fit taps and airlocks

[Mash]

So you are planning a hoist

[gaza the instructor]

Naahh !!
Lot stronger than I look