Turning a Freezer into an Incubator

**CaptBogart** · 06-19-07, 01:56 AM

So one of my guys called me before I left to work and asked if I was still looking for a stand up freezer. Of course I am! So he said he had a nice one a customer wanted hauled away, and he could swing by and drop it off... So here is the start of the incubator project...

In the beginning...

**CaptBogart** · 09-06-07, 12:12 AM

Now the fun part....
Since the coolant* was already drained, it was safe to start ripping out all the mechanics... The copper tubing was easy to remove by just bending it back and forth until it broke off. The screws that held all the parts to the bottom of the freezer were easily removed with the drill, and I clipped all the wires right at the body. I purchased some casters, but didn't like the top heavy feel of the now extremely light freezer, so I removed them. Here's some pics of the bottom, after the removal of the freezer parts.

*Do not release the coolant into the atmosphere, (EPA), spend a couple bucks to have it drained at a local recycled appliance shop*

**CaptBogart** · 05-26-08, 05:43 PM

Ok, now that the thing is empty and ready for some heat, I went with a plastic tub and submersible aquarium heaters. I also placed a couple thermometer probes inside to keep an eye on my temps...

Scottsquatch · 05-26-08, 07:54 PM

Pretty sweet. If I could find a broken freezer with that nice of an appearance, I'd definatley do the same thing. As it is, I think I'm just gonna have to build one from scratch. Thanks for the nice pics.

Scott

**CaptBogart** · 05-26-08, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by Scottsquatch

Pretty sweet. If I could find a broken freezer with that nice of an appearance, I'd definatley do the same thing. As it is, I think I'm just gonna have to build one from scratch. Thanks for the nice pics.

Scott

Oh, it takes patience, you should have seen the nasty, smelly ones they would bring me... it took three/four months just to get this one. I really wanted a glass front one, like a pet store in Miami. They incubate any reptile clutch for half of it...

Have you tried hitting up one of those used appliance shops? They usually scrap the metal, so one with a bad compressor should be had for pretty cheap...

FunkyRes · 05-26-08, 11:19 PM

Eventually I'm going to build one - but I'm thinking of using an old oak dresser from a thrift store rather than a fridge.

I'll have to make my own door for it - which will require some research to figure out how to get a decent seal. I'll also probably have to coat the inside with sealant to protect the wood - and since most dressers have a paper thin back, put a piece of plywood on the back.

I'll probably use flexwatt to heat it - with a small wind tunnel (powered by DC fans, power supply outside the incubator) to circulate air from top back down to the bottom.

Anyway - your incubator looks really nice.