Cooler for deer

[JFB]

Likely a dumb question to those who are handy or know hvac well, but I'm in the plan stage for a pole barn and wondered how involved or costly it would be to have a small walk in cooler to age deer? Not sure if it matters but I'm already planning on a wall heating unit for heating the building in winter but didn't know how easy it might be to cool a small room off to keep it at 40 degrees when I want. Anyone know? 

[stubborn1VT]

You can cool a very small room (a big closet) by insulating it really well, and putting a window AC unit in it.  Pretty cheap.  I've seen sheds turned into "coolers" this way using blue board insulation and a used AC unit.  Totally worth it in my book.  

[LET EM GROW]

My buddy is building one now, out of a solid wood frame, and some insulation and such. But I just saw a few weeks back where you can buy a special part for an A/C unit to make it blow cold enough air for Refrigerating purposes. Cant remember where i saw it now.. 

[reeltime]

you can frame the walls to take fiberglass insulation, use a good insulated door. yes you can use a window air conditioner and wire in a coolbot controller  but the ac unit needs to be digitally controlled, the old turn dial style air conditioners can not be converted .

the coolbot units i have done will bring the temps down to mid 30's.  for deer coolers I have installed remote thermostats so that the temps can be monitored without opening the door to check on the temps.

 

[JFB]

Wow great ideas keep em coming! Thx!!

[Five Seasons]

I'm not sure your investment is worth it up north. Sure early season and weird weather can be warmer than we like, but mostly you'll have good hanging weather. Of course the issue is if your barn is heated. I like the idea of an insulated partitioned room with a window and cheap a/c unit. When you get into refrigeration you get expensive quick.

do you plan to age the deer or just keep it cool over night? sometimes just a few bags of sealed ice in the chest is all you need on warm days. 

[JFB]

I find so much of our bow season and even gun season the temps are not conducive to hanging. 

Interested in the dimensions of the "closet" that u guys have seen. Maybe hanging two or three deer is all I'd need. 

[Five Seasons]

dont forget to put a nice rail in there and electrical for an electric hoist or 2. 

[Buckmaster7600]

Uncle owned a towing company and recovered a tractor pulling a Cisco trailer years ago trailer was totaled and my uncle bought it for scrap refer unit was fine. No idea what they insulated the walls with but its about 8x8 easily holds 6 deer and will keep ice frozen in the heat of the summer. During the fall it uses less than a gallon of fuel a day.


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