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Brewing Topics => Equipment => Topic started by: mikenotts on July 21, 2020, 11:36:58 AM

Title: Bearing weight of plastic partitions in standard larder fridges
Post by: mikenotts on July 21, 2020, 11:36:58 AM

Hi guys,
I bought a second hand tall bog-standard larder fridge 2 years ago online, modified to act as a beer cooler or heater upper (A bulb at the bottom and an ITC-100F controller).  The guy lived locally and delivered it.  Its been in my garage ever since, unused.

I've just taken delivery of a BrewZilla 3.1 and intend to start serious AG brewing (I'm retired, in a vulnerable 'rona category and going nuts after months of lockdown, so I thought, if not now, when?)

Anyhoo, my questions is, to any one kind enough to answer: will the standard plastic inserts in a standard larder fridge bear the weight of 23 litres of wort in a plastic fermenter?  The bottom of the fridge has an indented shelf, so no go there.  Have I been sold a pup?  Those plastic shelves rest on a few ML of plastic, it doesn't feel safe.  he still advertises them and claims they will support 25 litres.

So I guess the question is: whatever 23 litres of wort weighs, would you put that weight into your kitchen fridge, on a plastic shelf for weeks? (apart from the bulb and controller, its a bog-standard fridge.

Any replies gratefully received (I am minded to get the council to take it away for ?20)

Cheers.

Title: Re: Bearing weight of plastic partitions in standard larder fridges
Post by: BOB357 on July 21, 2020, 01:25:15 PM

I often sit 2 fermenters with 5 1/2 gallons each on the glass shelf above the vegetable bins in a 14 cf fridge. I used an old plastic jar and a piece of plastic as a shim to prop the center of the shelf in front where it has no support. Thought I had a pic to attach, but couldn't find it.
You could always cut a couple pieces of 1X6 or 1x8 to length and put them on top if the shelf. The rear and sides are plenty strong.

Title: Re: Bearing weight of plastic partitions in standard larder fridges
Post by: mikenotts on July 21, 2020, 02:46:32 PM

Thanks for the reply -  I actually messaged the guy who sold me the fridge and he just sent me an excellent reply, along the same lines as yours, which makes me feel very sheepish.  He's a good guy and I feel.... you know.  So much so that i tried to delete my first message - but I cannot, i need a mod to ok it?  Can I please delete this message?