After really enjoying the idea of dry-aging, but being a bit disappointed in some of the results from the dry aging bags, I started wondering if I could turn my currently unused beer fermentation chamber into a dry aging unit. And after reading a number of blogs on it, I am making it happen.
Note: I am updating this initial post as the project has progressed.
I already and an old fridge w/a temp control:
- Old small fridge that I bought for $75.
- An Inkbird temp control unit. ($35)
(You plug the fridge into that and it turns it on as necessary to maintain the temp you want.)
Then I bought this for this project:
- An Inkbird humidity control unit ($42).
(You can plug a humidifier and/or dehumidifier into it turns it on/off)
- 3L humidifier ($30)
- (2)120mm computer-style DC fan for circulation. ($13)
(Had a bigger AC fan but it created too much heat in the fridge.)
- Dehumidifying silica gel. 5 lbs for $30. (prob too much)
(Had to use the gel because dehumidifiers don't work below 41F)
- 7" high plastic storage box w/lid ($10)
I built my own dehumidifier by putting the silica gel in the bottom of the box, then
making two doors the size of the 6" fan, then hooking the fan to the dehumidifier
outlet on the hygrometer.
- 5W U/V/C sanitizer light that I can mount to the side of the fridge ($19)
- A Govee wireless temp/humidity sensor ($13). Can you believe that price?
(Talks to my phone via bluetooth and can send alerts.)
Since I already had the fridge and temp controller, I only needed to spend ~$150 or so to turn it into a dry aging fridge. But if you did this from scratch, you'd need an old fridge and the temp control unit as well.
The controllers go outside the unit. The fan, humidifier, dehumidifying gel, temp and humidity sensors go inside the unit. I set the humidifier on its lowest setting to slow the humidity controller's roll. I just run the cables through the gasket for now. I may decide to drill a hole later, but I'm worried about what I might drill through.
I will then thoroughly clean and sanitize the inside of the fridge before I start. But by the end of today I expect to be aging my first brisket in there.
Thoughts?
Note: I am updating this initial post as the project has progressed.
I already and an old fridge w/a temp control:
- Old small fridge that I bought for $75.
- An Inkbird temp control unit. ($35)
(You plug the fridge into that and it turns it on as necessary to maintain the temp you want.)
Then I bought this for this project:
- An Inkbird humidity control unit ($42).
(You can plug a humidifier and/or dehumidifier into it turns it on/off)
- 3L humidifier ($30)
- (2)120mm computer-style DC fan for circulation. ($13)
(Had a bigger AC fan but it created too much heat in the fridge.)
- Dehumidifying silica gel. 5 lbs for $30. (prob too much)
(Had to use the gel because dehumidifiers don't work below 41F)
- 7" high plastic storage box w/lid ($10)
I built my own dehumidifier by putting the silica gel in the bottom of the box, then
making two doors the size of the 6" fan, then hooking the fan to the dehumidifier
outlet on the hygrometer.
- 5W U/V/C sanitizer light that I can mount to the side of the fridge ($19)
- A Govee wireless temp/humidity sensor ($13). Can you believe that price?
(Talks to my phone via bluetooth and can send alerts.)
Since I already had the fridge and temp controller, I only needed to spend ~$150 or so to turn it into a dry aging fridge. But if you did this from scratch, you'd need an old fridge and the temp control unit as well.
The controllers go outside the unit. The fan, humidifier, dehumidifying gel, temp and humidity sensors go inside the unit. I set the humidifier on its lowest setting to slow the humidity controller's roll. I just run the cables through the gasket for now. I may decide to drill a hole later, but I'm worried about what I might drill through.
I will then thoroughly clean and sanitize the inside of the fridge before I start. But by the end of today I expect to be aging my first brisket in there.
Thoughts?
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