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merrickvilleguy
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waaay larger scale than I need. 8x8 will give me about 2x the room I need (so enough to move around and for shelving etc)
walk in freezer
- Thread starter merrickvilleguy
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It doesn't have to be that big. The local KC chapter has a 8 x 10. Just sayin.
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merrickvilleguy
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Ya thats true eh... something got me thinking of those 54' trailers
oh and btw ... the wife had a good larf at putting 7 freezers in the basement ... I'm hoping we can find a rental place nearby ... this is one of those things we really didnt clearly plan out at the outset of this
oh and btw ... the wife had a good larf at putting 7 freezers in the basement ... I'm hoping we can find a rental place nearby ... this is one of those things we really didnt clearly plan out at the outset of this
Cat_Driver
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http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/my-latest-project-walk-cooler-11440/
American Panel 10x12 Walk In Freezer Indoor w/ Refrigeration & Floor 10X12F-I | ACityDiscount
Nor-Lake KLF771014-C 10' x 14' Top Mount Walk-In Freezer w/ Floor
American Panel 10x10 Walk In Freezer Indoor w/ Refrigeration & Floor 10X10F-I | ACityDiscount
American Panel 10x12 Walk In Freezer Indoor w/ Refrigeration & Floor 10X12F-I | ACityDiscount
Nor-Lake KLF771014-C 10' x 14' Top Mount Walk-In Freezer w/ Floor
American Panel 10x10 Walk In Freezer Indoor w/ Refrigeration & Floor 10X10F-I | ACityDiscount
Baub
New member
I have owned my own commercial refrigeration business for the last 35 years. I would like to try and help a bit
An 8 x 8 does have a gross volume of 448. However, on a small box like that, after you deduct the wasted space for a walk path down the center, area for the evaporator (cold coil),lost space on the shelving, and open space for the fans to circulate air, you will end up with less than 200 ft2 of usable space. My advise to my customers is never go smaller than 8 x 12. If you need less space than that, consider double door reach-in freezers.
If you have all your product in one large freezer, there will come a day the box will go down, and for one reason or another, repairs can't be made for 48 or so hours. Try to have a plan ahead... where can I borrow/rent a refer truck, have a backup (multiple 2 doors, as above).
On buying a used box- they look like they can be broken down and re-assembled like a Lego set due to the 4 x 8 panels and the crank-lock attachments. In reality, they are only made to be assembled once. Proper installation requires the panels to have glue between the sections before they are pulled together, which makes dis-assembly a *****. Unless you get one great deal, you are better off buying new.
On to manufacturers- the only one I would stay away from is Bush Refrigeration. Tafco, Koldpac and many more make a decent box. Check r-value, gauge of panel skin, and quality of door.
The refrigeration equipment in new boxes has changed considerably in the past few years. Scroll compressor technology, new refrigerants (404A in your case) and micro-channel condensers, just to start. Hook up with a company that is on the leading edge.
Put the box outside! Interior space can be used for so many things, and with a W/I all you have to do is add a rubber roof, and a few extra controls to the condensing unit. Maybe butt the freezer to your building at the door for easy access, but remember, any kind of large refrigeration throws off large amounts of heat, so a basement can be a problem.
A few of our recent projects- condensing unit for a 17 x 18 process freezer, and a 20 HP natural gas stripper.
I hope this helps- Bob
An 8 x 8 does have a gross volume of 448. However, on a small box like that, after you deduct the wasted space for a walk path down the center, area for the evaporator (cold coil),lost space on the shelving, and open space for the fans to circulate air, you will end up with less than 200 ft2 of usable space. My advise to my customers is never go smaller than 8 x 12. If you need less space than that, consider double door reach-in freezers.
If you have all your product in one large freezer, there will come a day the box will go down, and for one reason or another, repairs can't be made for 48 or so hours. Try to have a plan ahead... where can I borrow/rent a refer truck, have a backup (multiple 2 doors, as above).
On buying a used box- they look like they can be broken down and re-assembled like a Lego set due to the 4 x 8 panels and the crank-lock attachments. In reality, they are only made to be assembled once. Proper installation requires the panels to have glue between the sections before they are pulled together, which makes dis-assembly a *****. Unless you get one great deal, you are better off buying new.
On to manufacturers- the only one I would stay away from is Bush Refrigeration. Tafco, Koldpac and many more make a decent box. Check r-value, gauge of panel skin, and quality of door.
The refrigeration equipment in new boxes has changed considerably in the past few years. Scroll compressor technology, new refrigerants (404A in your case) and micro-channel condensers, just to start. Hook up with a company that is on the leading edge.
Put the box outside! Interior space can be used for so many things, and with a W/I all you have to do is add a rubber roof, and a few extra controls to the condensing unit. Maybe butt the freezer to your building at the door for easy access, but remember, any kind of large refrigeration throws off large amounts of heat, so a basement can be a problem.
A few of our recent projects- condensing unit for a 17 x 18 process freezer, and a 20 HP natural gas stripper.
I hope this helps- Bob
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merrickvilleguy
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Ya when we had our walk in cooler we had 2 12k btu ac's, 1 in a window in the room (vents outside) and the other with the vents in the basement, we switched between them depending on the season, unfortunately on this size of things adding a second condenser might be out of the budget ... would be nice to capture that heat for the winter months.
My first step this week is going to call around and see if there is refridgerated storage around here, if its too far to be feasible, then our next option is to see who can get us a kit around here (and get a guy out here to put the condenser outside adjacent to the basement where we are looking to put it ... and last step if all that fails is to build the room ourselves (I guess 2x6 and use expanding foam to fill any gaps ?) and go from there.
It's surprising how much harder this is than making a walk in cooler, that extra 29c drop in temperature is much more complicated.
My first step this week is going to call around and see if there is refridgerated storage around here, if its too far to be feasible, then our next option is to see who can get us a kit around here (and get a guy out here to put the condenser outside adjacent to the basement where we are looking to put it ... and last step if all that fails is to build the room ourselves (I guess 2x6 and use expanding foam to fill any gaps ?) and go from there.
It's surprising how much harder this is than making a walk in cooler, that extra 29c drop in temperature is much more complicated.
forgeblast
Elite Member
A friend of ours made one for "winter" use only. Basically deer. He has two airconditioners, and a styrofoam room built in his unheated garage to hold it. Works well, for his needs, probably not up to commercial standards but keeps it consistanly chilly.
bdeboer
Platinum Member
I use to work for a guy that had a semi-trailer reefer mounted on the wall of an insulated pole barn for a seasonal freezer. It had a diesel tank mounted below it. One concern though, is that the diesel engine get ssome air flow for cooling.
BruceWard
Platinum Member
A local resteraunt built a walk in using SIP Panels. I believe they installed stainless steel on the inside or used Steel SIP Panels. SIP Panels with 8" of foam are around $5.50 a square foot of panel. The 6 panels to build an 8'x8' should be around $2000.
