National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: mick02 on November 18, 2016, 06:55:48 PM

Title: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 18, 2016, 06:55:48 PM
I've been offered one of these commercial vertical fridges for a very very good price.

I went to see it today to measure it, make sure it works etc. While there I put 2 corny kegs into it and found that it will comfortably fit 12 cornies  ^-^

My question is, does anyone have any experience using these types of fridges in a homebrew setting? I was mainly thinking of using it for lagering and carbonating my beer.

My main concern is that it's going to cost a bloody fortune to run despite the energy sticker on the glass door.

Thanks
Mick
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: Drum on November 18, 2016, 07:32:13 PM
I've no idea what that fridge looks like or what it costs to run, but could you cover the glass door with some kingspan or something to insulate it?  Wont look as pretty but it should help with energy consumption.
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 18, 2016, 07:47:47 PM
Quote from: Drum on November 18, 2016, 07:32:13 PM
I've no idea what that fridge looks like or what it costs to run, but could you cover the glass door with some kingspan or something to insulate it?  Wont look as pretty but it should help with energy consumption.

That's what I was thinking although it looks like it's double or triple glazed glass on the door so might not need it?
Title: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: Leann ull on November 18, 2016, 08:28:44 PM
What's a very good price?they are between 2 and 400 second hand depending on quality.
I was tempted but to be honest they are really there for display purposes and say 2 smaller "a rated" larder fridges for circa 100 with 8 skinny corny capacity each would give you more flexibility on temp range? Not a disaster if one goes wallop either.
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 18, 2016, 09:31:18 PM
I did think about that (getting 2 fridges) but then I figured not getting divorced was probably better  :P
Seriously though, I don't have the space for 2 and the good price is good enough for me to consider the purchase.
Title: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: Leann ull on November 18, 2016, 11:16:22 PM
How big is that one your talking about then that fits 12 cornies ?
https://www.donedeal.ie/view/13906049
Another thing is light skunking hops in fermentation for me :(
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 19, 2016, 12:11:57 AM
It's big enough to fit 12 cornies but small enough to fit in the utility room! It's 2 meters tall exactly like this one https://static.primasupply.com/glass-swing-door-refrigerators/true-gdm-23-hc-ld.jpg (https://static.primasupply.com/glass-swing-door-refrigerators/true-gdm-23-hc-ld.jpg)
It can fit 6 kegs on the bottom and is tall enough to fit another 6 on a shelf will need to reinforce that shelf though)
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: Jonnycheech on November 19, 2016, 12:17:49 AM
12 kegs in that yoke! Really?
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 19, 2016, 12:26:58 AM
Yep, I was surprised myself. I was hoping to get 6 into it but it will definitely take 12.
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: Leann ull on November 19, 2016, 05:56:07 AM
Did you manage to get 12 in doesn't seem big enough? Sure post a pic when you've bought it.
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: Sorcerers Apprentice on November 19, 2016, 08:57:37 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161119/8365450febdcf0f257aaff91aca9e42b.jpg)
It's probably something like this as he said it has two doors

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 19, 2016, 09:28:26 AM
Quote from: Sorcerers Apprentice on November 19, 2016, 08:57:37 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161119/8365450febdcf0f257aaff91aca9e42b.jpg)
It's probably something like this as he said it has two doors

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I said it had double or triple glazed glass but it's a single door fridge exactly like the one I posted. I'll post pics of all the kegs in there if I decide to take it off him. I'm still trying to gather info on the fridge and it's efficiency (or lack of)
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: Sorcerers Apprentice on November 19, 2016, 09:36:55 AM
Quote from: mick02 on November 19, 2016, 09:28:26 AM
Quote from: Sorcerers Apprentice on November 19, 2016, 08:57:37 AM
(http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161119/8365450febdcf0f257aaff91aca9e42b.jpg)
It's probably something like this as he said it has two doors

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

I said it had double or triple glazed glass but it's a single door fridge exactly like the one I posted. I'll post pics of all the kegs in there if I decide to take it off him. I'm still trying to gather info on the fridge and it's efficiency (or lack of)
Sorry I'd misread and with talk of the 12 corny kegs had pictured this one in my mind 😦

Sent from my SM-G900F using Tapatalk

Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 22, 2016, 09:06:55 PM
Quote from: CH on November 19, 2016, 05:56:07 AM
Did you manage to get 12 in doesn't seem big enough? Sure post a pic when you've bought it.

Pictures as requested. I only have 4 in the fridge at the minute but as you can see the fridge will take 3 cornies deep, 2 side by side and 2 tall meaning that I can fit a total of 12 kegs in there (once I reinforce the shelf.)

Now I just have to wait and see what kind of dent it leaves in my electricity bill!
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: delzep on November 22, 2016, 09:54:53 PM
Naked Pink Floyd girls on the wall too  O0
Title: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: Leann ull on November 22, 2016, 09:58:41 PM
Echo, echo, echo ......
That's deep I think you might get 8 in the base of that!!
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 22, 2016, 10:36:15 PM
Quote from: CH on November 22, 2016, 09:58:41 PM
Echo, echo, echo ......
That's deep I think you might get 8 in the base of that!!

Challenge accepted
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 22, 2016, 10:42:42 PM
No chance, this is 7 but the keg at the front is protruding too much so the door won't close. I'll definitely fit 12 kegs and my gas in there though. (http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20161122/f80f49be8ec4fcee4b3c5e3581ba5642.jpg)


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Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: aweisse on November 23, 2016, 08:31:00 AM
Ive a similar fridge, it was out of a shop that was upgradeing to a newer fridge.
What i did was to put it on a STC1000 and i taped the temp probe behind some bubble wrap onto a wine bottle of water
and left it in the bottom of the fridge. I set the delay to 3 min and temp to 4 degrees C
Works great, and havent seen a increase in the electric bill either over the last 12 months.


Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: mick02 on November 23, 2016, 02:27:09 PM
Quote from: aweisse on November 23, 2016, 08:31:00 AM
Ive a similar fridge, it was out of a shop that was upgradeing to a newer fridge.
What i did was to put it on a STC1000 and i taped the temp probe behind some bubble wrap onto a wine bottle of water
and left it in the bottom of the fridge. I set the delay to 3 min and temp to 4 degrees C
Works great, and havent seen a increase in the electric bill either over the last 12 months.

Did you ever consider turning it into a Kegerator? Right now I've lots of ideas on how to utilize it best. I've already got a larder fridge and a Kegerator (holds 2 kegs). I was thinking of using this large fridge to ferment and condition Lagers as well as condition other beers. I'm still not sure if it's the best way to use the fridge though.

Any thoughts or comments are welcome.
Title: Re: True gdm-23rf commercial fridge
Post by: aweisse on November 23, 2016, 03:29:25 PM
the beauty of the upright fridges is that they dont take up much room, they use a fan to circulate cold air.
i think there ideal for lagering if you have a STC hooked up as well as you can set the temp you want.
Ive tried insulateing the door , but it made no difference.
If i had a chest freezer and the room for it, then ide build a keezer.