seeds Converting a refrigerator into a seedling starter...??

[huntsman]

Hi All - 
 
For years I've been threatening to convert a defunct refrigerator into a housing in which I can start seedlings under lights and I now have three donated fridges and no more excuses!
 
Anyone done this before, and if threads exist, can you poke me in the right direction? I'm concerned with the release of freon and really need a set of instructions! 
 
Been awhile....good to be back.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[karoo]

Hi
I think you are on the right track.
Unless you do some serious drilling , most of the refrigeration gasses will stay in their place or have escaped a long time ago.
A fridge will give you good insulation of moisture and temperature , and that will help with germination.
I use old foamalite cooler boxes with a heat pad .
 
Keep us updated.  

 

[huntsman]

Ja Boet - 
 
I'm actually planning to do a fair bit of drilling, for lighting units, power in general and a thermostat, but unless I guess wrong, there is no freon in the walls of the fridge, but just in the pipes inside. Sound about right?

 

[queequeg152]

no... the exterior of the fridge could easily have piping, alot of fridges do infact.
 
chest freezers usually have extensive amounts of condenser piping on the exterior.
 
alot of 2 door refrigerators have a loop of condenser coil that runs around the freezer door. its supposed to keep the door from freezing shut or something.
 
there is a name for this sort of condenser... i cant remember it though.
 
why would you want to use an insulated contianer to grow plants anyway?

 

[huntsman]

Hi queequeg - 
 
Insulation so that I can both control temps more easily and also limit cost...kinda like an incubator. 
 
However, I'm not certain I should leave the plants in the fridge once they germinate...perhaps I should have a second set up, but I'm leaning to using the fridge for both. (second fridge with lights, perhaps?)
 
Thanks for the heads-up regarding the gas. I'm going to be really careful, but looking at the system, it seems to all be external, barring where it comes through a hole in the wall and travels in a pipe on the inside of the box...There are no pipes that disappear into the box wall.