Reddit reviews HooSeen Can Opener (GREEN)

If you do want to precisely control the temperuature of your ferment, and you dont have an unlimited budget, you can get a device like this http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0064O93L8/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1OWHA1NTSJTYR&coliid=I1Y1PD8DUM757T and use it to control a small under-counter or dorm room style fridge.

In addition to the STC, you can check out Ranco and Johnson

Sure, an easy way to deal with that is a Johnson temperature control unit. You plug the freezer into it, plug it into the wall, set the desired temp on the unit, run the temperature probe attached to the unit down into the freezer, and when it senses the freezer getting too warm, it turns on the power until it's back down to temp, then cuts it off again. More technically inclined people hardwire a panel directly into the freezer itself, but this method works quite well.

Ranco link to buy: Amazon

Johnson's link to buy: Amazon

What /bodobeers said. I just bought an igloo 5.1 cuft chest freezer just for fermentation. (My bigger chest freezer is being turned into a keezer.) Got a slightly dinged one from Home Depot for ~$130, new ones are~$160-200 depending on brand. You can go with a 3cuft chest freezer (about same price, less space width wise than 5.1), but you will have to make a collar for it to fit carboy+airlock due to the hump. you can get the plugin Inkbird controller for around ~$30-40 for a cheaper temp controller with doesn't require wiring. If you want to be more precise with the Inkbird though, you will also need a heating element. If you don't mind it being off by 5 or degrees then you are ok with cold side only. I have one of the more expensive Johnson Controllers that are pretty precise with just cold side for my fermenter, and an Inkbird for my bigger keezer build for I'm not as concerned about exact temperature with the keezer.

Pre-wired Inkbird


Johnson Controller for reference

Thanks for the reply, some really good stuff here.

> I would recommend getting a Johnson digital temp controller. An STC would save ~50 dollars, but is a large time investment to get working for someone planning a wedding.

I'm all for saving $50 but after reading this it looks like the savings are really more in the region of $20 as you're paying $20 for the STC, but then (according to that guy) you need another $20 or so in cables and a project box..? Compared to $70 for the Johnson or $65 for this kegco one. Totally appreciate you filling me in on the options though - my brother is an electronics guy and would love a project like that. Unfortunately he lives 4000 miles away, which brings me to my next point...

> 150-200 beers for 50 people is a lot, unless you have a few football players who really love beer in attendance.

I'm Irish/half the wedding party is flying over from Ireland and the UK, so there will be a lot of beer drank over the course of the evening.

> Add in the collar, normally a 2x8 collar, on top of a 2x4 collar

Can you eli5 this to me please. Does that mean two collars? I haven't got too deep into constructing the collar yet as I'm not a DIY person at all.