Well did 2 grows and like most other growers simply dried my harvest in the tent at the end of the grow, but when I started a perpetual it made things a bit harder.
If like me you pass a fridge by the side of the road every week, it seemed like an ideal space for drying. It's free, generally clean, easy to clean and holds in odours.
So got a fridge, but then found an even larger larder fridge, already had a filter and mini fan from a veg tent so why not.
First off, removed the compressor from the fridge and took to the tip, sealed off all pipes first so no lost gases.
Next gave the fridge a massive clean, especially the seals, but to be honest was pretty clean anyway.
Got my 4 inch pipe and measured a hole one up top one low down. Drilled pilot holes around hole then used a jigsaw. Finished off with a file. To make a nice seal used an old inertube with duct tape over the top around the ridge. This worked really well.
Used an oven hood carbon filter, cost a £1.00 for 2 sheets and covered the bottom hole with this. Thinking was keep any pests out and odours in, just in case. Previously used this as a filter on a veg tent and worked ok.
4 inch pipe connected to top hole with fan and filter, these cost £33.00 new, but like I said were originally used on a tent.
To make a bit more stealthy, used laminated sheet, wood effect to cover white area, this was also £1.00 a roll.
Side shot, yes does look slightly odd, but for the odd family member, just a weird wardrobe.
Bottom carbon filter, airflow is good when the tiny fan is on, can easily feel the suck.
Top hole with pipe work.
And finally the filter.
Yes I know, I could easily get another shelf in, but for me it works fine, with plenty of space.
The original fridge fan has been re wired by myself so if needed comes on when the door is shut, just in case extra air movement is needed, but has been fine, including all summer.
Have had zero odour from this fridge in 8 months when drying my harvest.
This could be done even cheaper, I did at first consider using the 2 fridge fans as intake, outtake and just use carbon hood filters. I think this would work and with broken fridges being free, would probably cost a couple of £ to make.
Forgot to say, had to put a concrete slab where the compressor was, otherwise when I opened the door, the fridge toppled forward.
Hope this is useful for someone and as it is a fridge, would not look out of place in a utility room, garage or even kitchen. Further bonus is, if it's a commercial fridge like mine they have a lock fitted, so no prying eyes.
If like me you pass a fridge by the side of the road every week, it seemed like an ideal space for drying. It's free, generally clean, easy to clean and holds in odours.
So got a fridge, but then found an even larger larder fridge, already had a filter and mini fan from a veg tent so why not.
First off, removed the compressor from the fridge and took to the tip, sealed off all pipes first so no lost gases.
Next gave the fridge a massive clean, especially the seals, but to be honest was pretty clean anyway.
Got my 4 inch pipe and measured a hole one up top one low down. Drilled pilot holes around hole then used a jigsaw. Finished off with a file. To make a nice seal used an old inertube with duct tape over the top around the ridge. This worked really well.
Used an oven hood carbon filter, cost a £1.00 for 2 sheets and covered the bottom hole with this. Thinking was keep any pests out and odours in, just in case. Previously used this as a filter on a veg tent and worked ok.
4 inch pipe connected to top hole with fan and filter, these cost £33.00 new, but like I said were originally used on a tent.
To make a bit more stealthy, used laminated sheet, wood effect to cover white area, this was also £1.00 a roll.
Side shot, yes does look slightly odd, but for the odd family member, just a weird wardrobe.
Bottom carbon filter, airflow is good when the tiny fan is on, can easily feel the suck.
Top hole with pipe work.
And finally the filter.
Yes I know, I could easily get another shelf in, but for me it works fine, with plenty of space.
The original fridge fan has been re wired by myself so if needed comes on when the door is shut, just in case extra air movement is needed, but has been fine, including all summer.
Have had zero odour from this fridge in 8 months when drying my harvest.
This could be done even cheaper, I did at first consider using the 2 fridge fans as intake, outtake and just use carbon hood filters. I think this would work and with broken fridges being free, would probably cost a couple of £ to make.
Forgot to say, had to put a concrete slab where the compressor was, otherwise when I opened the door, the fridge toppled forward.
Hope this is useful for someone and as it is a fridge, would not look out of place in a utility room, garage or even kitchen. Further bonus is, if it's a commercial fridge like mine they have a lock fitted, so no prying eyes.
