Old freezer

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goulas

Newbie
Original poster
Jul 14, 2013
1
10
Central California
Hi all.  I'm newbie here.

I have on old large upright freezer that IS NOT frost free that I'm going to throw away (still works great, honest).  Can it be converted into a curing chamber? How do i remove the shelves without ruining the cooling?  (some have tubes in them)

Thanks for any advise, even if it is to take it to the  dump...lol
 
Hello Goulas.   I see this is your 1st post.  How about swing by Roll Call and introducing yourself.  That way we can give you a proper Howdy.  I think you will get more responses if you post this in the fridge build forum.  No harm done, just think more folks will see it there.  Just re-post it in that forum.  Please give us as much info as you can and picts help.  From your post here I would be doing a lot of guessing as to what your plan is or where you are going with this.  There are lots of good folks here with lots of experience and they are willing to share.  Good luck.

Danny
 
An old freezer, still in working condition - check local laws, it may have to have a professional remove the cooling agent, so don't just go cutting any lines until that checking for laws is done.

Then remove the compressor and any visible cooling pipes, the ones in the walls can stay.You will need to make vent hole, in the top if possible  a few small holes in either side, at the bottom for ventilation.  You could rivet a piece of metal to a cover of the holes, to regulate air.  Then inside, stick a hotplate then depending what the rack arrangement is, here you might have to add another mounting rack style system for your water pan. > If your going to do heated smoking, replace the door seal with a seal that can take the heat.  I would then get an AMNPS 5 x 8 smoker, use it the smoke supply.  Place it beside the heating element, then you could cold smoke or turn the burner on for heat.   Get a thermometer or two and get smoking.
 
Hi all.  I'm newbie here.

I have on old large upright freezer that IS NOT frost free that I'm going to throw away (still works great, honest).  Can it be converted into a curing chamber? How do i remove the shelves without ruining the cooling?  (some have tubes in them)

Thanks for any advise, even if it is to take it to the  dump...lol
Goulas, morning and welcome to the forum.....   I think it will work for a curing chamber....  they make controllers to turn freezers into refers for about $60....  a circulating fan $10 (computer type fan), humidity generator $30, small heater ( light bulb) and I think some drip catch pans under the cooling shelves (to catch the water drips) and you will be good to go....   In a self defrosting freezer, a heater comes on periodically to evaporate the frost.... at curing temps, I don't think there will be a problem with the coils freezing up and creating frost... but if it does, the drips will need to be captured so they don't land on the meat...  Just something to look for.....   Hey, if it doesn't work, you still have all the controls to mod another unit...

Please take a moment and stop into " [color= rgb(146, 144, 139)]/[/color][color= rgb(128, 0, 0)]Roll Call[/color][color= rgb(146, 144, 139)]/[/color]   " and introduce yourself and get a proper welcome from our members.... Also, if you would note your location in your profile, it will help in the future when answering questions about smokin'...   elevation, humidity etc....    

We're glad you stopped in and joined our group...    Enjoy the long smokey ride....     Dave
 
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