How to covert a mini fridge into a frementation chamber. DIY

[Frequent Sequence]

Hot to convert a mini fridge with ice box into a fermentation chamber

I Got this fridge for free as it's a bit tatty but with a little modification it's a perfect fermentation chamber.
These under-counter mini fridges are often overlooked by brewers as the icebox gets in the way and makes it difficult to fit full size fermentors.
Here is a guide to modifying the icebox section so the chilling plate is flush with the back wall giving you ample room for one full size bucket/carboy.

• Unplug the fridge before attempting this. Of course electrical safety is the number one reason but also if the plate is freezing it is more brittle and likely to kink or leak. 


• Find a fridge for conversion. This type of mini fridge is easily available second hand for very little money. I got this one for free
  




• Remove all shelving.
  



• remove the icebox door. mine had a crack in the corner giving me access to the retaining spring.
  



• Begin removing the icebox sides by finding all the screws.


• Mine had two screw brackets hidden behind molding as well as two screws in each side panel.
  



• I had to crack the molding to access the hidden screws. This was quite easy as the plastic was brittle.
  



• With all screws removed the side panels can slide out.
  



• Now the chilling plate is unsupported so we can do a little modification to the side panels to use the top bracket to hold the chiller.
  begin by marking a straight line and cutting off the bottom bracket. Do this for both panels.
  
• Now we must move the thermostat/light. We need to get it out of the way so we can start bending the chill plate. mine had one screw beside the bulb
  
  
• You may need to detach the wires to move it above the chill plate. If so make a note of the wiring connectors and their pins.
  
• Now you can replace the side panels using just the top bracket to support the top of the chiller plate.
  
• Here comes the tricky part. The bending. Take this step slowly applying even pressure to both sides of the plate gently.
  
• You really don't want to kink the cooling channels so stay steady. I took 15 minutes to bend mine with constant even pressure
  
• When it's flat to the back wall replace the thermostat/light assembly
  



• Boom Done
  
  

Any questions feel free to ask.

Cheers. 

[Leann ull]

Amazing post well done great pics and walk through description on how to do it
A small 30w tube heater and fan in the bottom of that and you are away!

[robotmonkey]

Fantastic guide and great clear photos!

[Frequent Sequence]

Cheers lads. I have a brewbelt and a malt tin with a 30 watt bulb. Which has been plenty even on the coldest of days.

[Motorbikeman]

Great post.   I can fit my buckets in, but the airlock pops up to the outside edge of the freezer box.     Freezing my airlock before the the wort cold crashes.

Any suggestions on this fridge? I think the little feeder pipe is steel, its hard for sure. 
 

[pob]

Great writeup, looks good.

****>>> Warning <<<***

Make sure that you unplug the fridge (or any electrical device) before you start working on it.

*********************

[Jamesbil]

Why not rig up a thermostat to your heat tube to switch it automatically?
Something like this? http://ie.rs-online.com/web/p/thermostats/7334723/

Or even a simple room stat?

[Frequent Sequence]

@ Motorbikeman. Are there two coolant lines running to your chiller plate? If they are both on the right side you could bend the plate flush with the right side wall. You would have to move the thermostat but that shouldn't be too big of a deal.

@ pob You are spot on to mention unplugging the fridge before attempting this. Of course electrical safety is the number one reason but also if the plate is freezing it is more brittle and likely to kink or leak. I will edit the main post to include this step.

[Motorbikeman]

If you have a fridge like this.  A Powerpoint fridge.   Dont feckin touch it.   
As soon as I messed with it, even gentle like,  I heard a hissssssssss.   Now I have to take it to the dump.

   

I did get my hands on this little beauty from averts for free!!  Beko Glasser undercounter fridge. 

took 15 mins to convert.  Now I have 2 fermenter fridges.    Doubling production.    



If you cant be bothered to convert or have one of the fridges like the first pic.  There still is hope. 
There is a plastics firm in Naas industrial estate who sell 25l buckets that fit.. http://complaspackaging.ie/ 6.50 a bucket with lid.

[Frequent Sequence]

That beko looks great Motorbikeman. 

I think once the coolant lines themselves aren't bending the plate should be able to take a bit of flex.