I have just started on a curing chamber build, if you want to call it that. I picked up an inkbird humidity sensor a couple weeks ago on Kijiji (think craigslist) and then ordered an inkbird temp control on the big A online store. So, I start hunting around for a freezer and found one today for $45. I had a line on the same model that was virtually new but could not come to the price I wanted. Just as well, I can make my mistakes on this one. I would have preferred a large stand up but it is in my garage and with the meat stuff and woodworking stuff it could only go under a halfwall in the back off garage.
I researched a few builds on here and elsewhere and found Indaswamps build and how he found the cooling lines by applying a mix of alcohol and cornstarch to the exterior of the unit and finding the ghost lines that would appear after sometime. Great idea, but it did not work and I think I know why. So, I took a small drill bit and poked four corners out and then cut through the exterior skin with a small cutoff wheel in my dremel tool. I pulled the tab out and started removing insulation until I hit the interior wall. The cooling lines were about a quarter inch below the bottom of opening and I think that either I did not wait long enough for ghostlines to appear or the insulation would not let it. Hope that makes sense. Since I safely had room I drilled four more small holes into the interior wall and then cut an opening with the dremel again.
I then ran the thermostat sensor and humidity sensor through and wil decide later where to route them. The temp sensor works and was easy to set. I do not have a dehumidifier or humidifier yet, so still a little work to do.
At this point, I have about $145 into it and should end up under $300 for the whole thing. Looking forward to some curing!
Sorry about the pic quality, I did not use all the vodka for the cornstarch mix, and accidentally swallowed some.
I researched a few builds on here and elsewhere and found Indaswamps build and how he found the cooling lines by applying a mix of alcohol and cornstarch to the exterior of the unit and finding the ghost lines that would appear after sometime. Great idea, but it did not work and I think I know why. So, I took a small drill bit and poked four corners out and then cut through the exterior skin with a small cutoff wheel in my dremel tool. I pulled the tab out and started removing insulation until I hit the interior wall. The cooling lines were about a quarter inch below the bottom of opening and I think that either I did not wait long enough for ghostlines to appear or the insulation would not let it. Hope that makes sense. Since I safely had room I drilled four more small holes into the interior wall and then cut an opening with the dremel again.
I then ran the thermostat sensor and humidity sensor through and wil decide later where to route them. The temp sensor works and was easy to set. I do not have a dehumidifier or humidifier yet, so still a little work to do.
At this point, I have about $145 into it and should end up under $300 for the whole thing. Looking forward to some curing!
Sorry about the pic quality, I did not use all the vodka for the cornstarch mix, and accidentally swallowed some.