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Damn thermostat just stuck closed on my V63 I use to keep my homebrew ready to drink. I just froze almost 2 cases of beer. A 6 pack was supposed to be going as a gift for my friends 40th birthday party fri night. Not sure how good its going to be now. The only positive side is that if I didn't smell the watermelon as I walked by the machine I would have never known until Fri as I was getting ready for the party. None of the bottles broke as of yet, but they did freeze solid and started to ooze out of the crowns. The refrigeration lines froze up and tripped my gfi outlet luckily. Not sure if the compressor jammed up and tripped it or the leaking beer got on the contacts and tripped it. I cleaned up the mess and put the bottles in a plastic bin to thaw out.  :darn: :darn: :darn:

I know it didn't happen without pictures, so here are a few...

(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-_69_H3cBWoM/Tg0OzJjQm4I/AAAAAAAABVU/1hMUXr7NPP4/s640/2011-06-30_20-01-05_522.jpg)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AX5-Tct05CY/Tg0O-TWo1tI/AAAAAAAABVY/r-bQ8W6vEA8/s512/2011-06-30_20-00-59_36.jpg)

(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-urK-Xc-Yja0/Tg0Op5h4j0I/AAAAAAAABVA/dW3XKTLT02g/s512/2011-06-30_20-01-19_337.jpg)

I would drink them.  :happydrinkers: I had frozen beer thaw out and it's still good. I would keep them cold though and not let them get warm.

That is not a pretty sight. My condolences.
Should be ok if you hammer down just after they thaw.
Need any help just holler :-)
Creighton
 

Sniff... I had to look away, it was too painful

Sorry to hear Ken! Was it a new T-stat or an original one? I've never heard of that happening and (without pics) would not have believed you!  :laugh:
I'd drink them too! Call it preparation for the party - you may have to call in sick today.  :happydrinkers:

       On a posative note Ken.......you now know your compressor works 100%  :laugh:

I would put those bottle in the fridge and drink them when they thaw.  I am not aware of freezing affecting beer unless it causes the seal to break on the cap and you loose the carbonation.  Typically it is heat and sunlight that make beer go skunky!

Cheers! :happydrinkers:

 :drinking: Tim :drinking:

this was the original thermostat.. Also, I am assuming its the thermostat. I haven't diagnosed anything yet. it could possibly be the run cap getting stuck on?

With regards to my beer, I'm more worried about the carbonation than any other damage. It was frozen solid when I took them all out of the machine. I forgot to check them before leaving for work, but my wife checked them and they were thawed but still cold this morning. I'll see what happens when I get home.

" this was the original thermostat.. Also, I am assuming its the thermostat. I haven't diagnosed anything yet. it could possibly be the run cap getting stuck on"

in a word. No. it's the T-stat stuck closed. ( this type of compressor doesn't use a run capacitor, just a start capacitor)

Cool.. thanks Johnnie!

I have a thermostat you can have for free I just can't ship until thursday because I am in Vegas on vacation.

Hi Bubba:

I have a friend that does home brewing as well, and as long as its a slow thaw it should retain carbonation.  I notice that you only caught the malfunction due to the watermelon smell.  Watermelon beer sounds interesting, i'll have to recommend that one.........

TMC... thanks for the offer. I have a few sitting here, just need the time to install.

Jacko... I have been brewing this kit for a few years and its always a big hit. It doesn't have a strong watermelon flavor, but more of a refreshing aftertaste. http://www.williamsbrewing.com/WILLIAMS-WATERMELON-ALE-P1935C185.aspx

when bad things happen to good beer...Jim Adler attorney at law...the "Texas Hammer" hahahaha :glare:

So far, most have been good still. I have a dozen of the watermelon batch that I put in the night before the freeze. There is no carbonation in the 2 that I have opened in those, but the level in those bottles has dropped quite a bit for some reason, but the other 18 or so from a batch that has been chilling for 2 weeks seems to have survived. I may try to revive them.. not sure if its worth the effort at this point. Unfortunately, without the carbonation, the watermelon seems to be almost undrinkable.

The problem is you just didn't drink them fast enough :happydrinkers: :laugh:

I was supposed to be bringing a bunch to a party on the night I discovered popsicles..  :down: