Fridge List

[newToBrew]

As A follow up to the Kegerator Post

for those of us still contemplating the set up - Could we get a list together of known Makes and Models that are suitable ?  and even ones that are not ??

I recall Tube mentioned staying away from the Under Counter ones,

I also recall a post recently where some one was trying to rip out the freezer part of a small fridge

I have been looking at adverts and done deal for some in my locality and spotted one or two at a fairly reasonable price, but am reluctant 

[Metattron]

Mine is an under counter one.  Hotpoint Iced Diamond.  Room for two kegs and a small gas bottle.  It didn't have a freezer compartment so very little needed to be done, I just removed the shelves and the inside panel from the door, and moved the thermostat to the rear. 

[Will_D]

Fridges come in all sorts of sizes and specs.

A fridge that fits "under the counter" is really "under the worktop" which is standard 85 cms high and a standard width. This allows about a 2 cm air space (essential for cooling when "plugged into" a built in kitchen.

This fridge will come in two variants:

Larder Fridge
non/Larder fridge (aka: Fridge)

The Larder fridge does not have an ice maker/freezer compartment and so is IDEAL as a kegerator.

Fridges with an ice maker are less than ideal as the freezer bit limits the height of what you can put into it.

Cornies:? No,
5 gallon plastic king kegs and the like:? Yes

Any thing else that is not designed to fit under a worktop will be much bigger:
  So a 6 foot high fridge freezer is not constrained by any design standards (like under counter modular units/appliances) so just get out the tape measure!

HTH

[JimmyM]

A fridge that fits "under the counter" is really "under the worktop" which is standard 85 cms high and a standard width.

Ah you havent been in a kitchen built by me

[Will_D]

Would this be good or bad?

In my kitchen family and friends ask?

Why is the cooker hood 6' 4" off of the ground?

My answer: "coz the chef is 6' foot feckin 3 and his brain cavity is  precious given what he drinks"

[JimmyM]

Ah it doesnt bother me - the counter top is almost a metre. And im nowhere near as tall as you - Everyone comes in and says, "is the counter supposed to be that size"

I built it all from zip, but i didnt know the standard sizes. So i thought, I'll look at the ikea web-site and build the units to the spec of those. So I did, and the units are sold without legs, and the spec says they are 860. So I built my units 860 and bought the ikea legs - but ikea's speced height included the legs that you dont get with the unit.
Even with the legs at their lowest its noticeably tall - but you can still wash-up/cook etc no problem.

Anyway...
Its grand for me cos i made all the doors etc - but if someone tries to change it around in the future they could run into trouble
But im not planning on going anywhere for a while - so we should be fine

But fridges...
I have one of the 5 ft ones cos the only space i have in my kitchen for a fridge is at the end of "under the stairs" - its fairly rickity, I got it for free off a friend, but it will be replaced soon and turned into my fermentation chamber.

[DEMPSEY]

Jimmy,I know where your coming from on this kitchen project. Did as much in my last house,I built my kitchen and wardrobes as well. Made the wardrobe doors using Oak MDF routered the centre's and all and used piano hinges so the doors opened concertina style. Did not make the kitchen doors,bought them but at the time used alot of 600mm and 300mm doors. Too big,500mm doors look better. To make space for a fridge/freezer,(now in the possession of eoinmag)500mm width,knocked in to the coat store that was in the hall and fitted it flush with the kitchen thus reducing the coat store in the front hall. Great fun when I sold the house as most fridge/freezers are 600mm, . Had to leave the new owner my 7 place dishwasher because that was fitted personal style,as was the cooker,a grill/oven/microwave all in one type. Box room are usually too small for wardrobes so I built a wardrobe with the correct depth by cutting into the plasterboard wall and gaining 100mm. It allowed me to remove the existing box room wardrobe and put clothes shelves facing into the room as the existing pattern opened out to where you wanted to fit the bed. Did alot of other things that personalised the house and helped to sell it when the time came.  

[Hop Bomb]

Fridge or freezer: Which is better suited for a ferment chamber with an stc1000?
Is space a factor inside when trying to control temp? (Smaller fridge more efficient etc)

[DEMPSEY]

I would say a fridge. Fermentation temps are usually around the 18C mark so your fridge will not need to be switched on as they are designed to run colder. The space is crap though.

[Rossa]

Just got myself a newer larder fridge off adverts. 6 foot tall 

I could possibly fit all cornies in it.

[Hop Bomb]

How low a temp can you run a fridge to with an stc1000?

[brenmurph]

MY new kegerator is based on a cheap basic fridge with a little ice box at top. I stripped the carcass without breaking any of the workings. It can happily take my 6-keg kegerator down to -15c. I use the original fridge thermostat having previously adjusted the adjuster inside the thermostat and have kegerator running at 4c on the cold side and 8-10c on the warmer side with no other gismos and gadgets. Shouldnt need a stc-1000 for cooling but for heating you should be able to achieve whatever temp you want.

[Garry]

MY new kegerator is based on a cheap basic fridge with a little ice box at top. I stripped the carcass without breaking any of the workings. It can happily take my 6-keg kegerator down to -15c. I use the original fridge thermostat having previously adjusted the adjuster inside the thermostat and have kegerator running at 4c on the cold side and 8-10c on the warmer side with no other gismos and gadgets. Shouldnt need a stc-1000 for cooling but for heating you should be able to achieve whatever temp you want.

Bren, I'm thinking of doing something similar but I want to make a fermentation chamber rather that a kegerator. I got a small beer fridge from a friend like the one in the picture.





I assume it will be powerful enough. I was going to make a box out of insulation, big enough to hold 2 or 3 fermenters. Then take the door off my fridge and cut a hole in the insulation so the fridge just sticks into the side of it. Then seal it all up with duct tape or something.

Have you any pics of your one for inspiration?

[Hop Bomb]

Ive seen lots of US people doing that ferm chamber. I dont have the room so a tall fridge is my best option.

[Rossa]

Ive seen lots of US people doing that ferm chamber. I dont have the room so a tall fridge is my best option.

I've been thinking of putting in a big shelf and using it to fit my 30l keg fv in. I'll have to size it up.