how do i make an incubator from a fridge???

so i got a fridge, nice and cleaned out... powers fried. now, i want to make a two tier incubator, diffrent temps in the fridge and freezer part... i know i need to get some heating elements and a thermostat, but what do i do??? i mean, like, i know nothing about electrical stuff or building shit or anything... so if anyone can break it down for me, id love ya...

 

I agree with jeff, though if your heart is set on it, a simple 100 wat bulb would prolly generate enough heat to keep temps where you want them. thermostat with a small fan would be needed to regulate the temp if things get to hot. a heat sink could also be used which would be a jar with water in it and a fish tank heater. really though, the added speed ,unless your house is in the low 50's really isn't worth it IMO for the extra electricity, and cost for supplies

 

my house def hits low 50s, with furnace running. It is also drafty as a barn. I think I am going to get just some tubs and make simple incs out of one or 2 of them with a terrarium heater and bricks and some sort of small sheet pan or whatever I can scrounge on the cheap.

a fridge sounds like tools needed to drill into it (and put silicone around any remaining holes after cables go into the fridge), but I don't know shit, lol.
full sized deal, not just a dorm fridge?

 

i got me a two tub set up, fish tank heater, some water... works great... a+. i just want bigger, and the fridge will be in the garage. and my old ladys good with that shit. its funny, cause she has scary ass drills and saws and im in the kitchen baking a cake from straight scratch... ;-}

so but what your saying is i could just put my fishtank heater in the fridge? it is rated for a 20 gallon tank, adjustable... the winter temps here range from 20-50F
(and yeah, full sized)

 

I remember reading a tek years ago at the Shroomery about a dude that rigged one up. He used the freezer part to incubate jars at 80F and fridge part at 70F for fruiting.
He just used the light bulbs for heat. Just bypass the door switch and install a thermostat.
There may even be 110V fan in there that you can use too.

Refrigerators are very well insulated and should be easy to clean. I would go for it if I were you.

 

i hope some of these help:
http://voices.yahoo.com/refrigerator-incubator-reptile-eggs-incubate-159297.html?cat=22
http://www.geckosunlimited.com/community/do-yourself-diy/21032-incubator-out-old-fridge.html

several here for diff sizes of fridges and more:
http://thereptilereport.com/how-to-make-a-refrigerator-incubator/

 

I have used one for several years.
Parts needed.
1. One refrigerator
2. One ceramic terrarium heater. Petsmart - $19.00
3. One thermostat. Petsmart - Zoo Med Repti Tem - $39.00
4. One Bayco 150-Watt Incandescent Portable Work Light or similiar - Lowes - $8.00

Clean the refer. Remove bottom vegetable drawers. Screw ceramic heater into portable work lamp. Place lamp into space where vegetable drawers were. The aluminium shield keeps the heater from touching anything. Route lamp cord to outside of refer and plug into thermostat. Route thermostat temperature probe to inside of refer. Set desired temp. This setup has served me well for several years. The lights in mine still work. That's a desirable feature IMO. This will also heat the freezer section but the temperature swing is much greater. That is not an issue for me but could be in a colder climate I guess.

 

You might be able to rig a refrigerator up like a kinda martha. Its an idea, if you have a crapped out refrigerator.

 

I am reviving this old thread as I have a concern about my incubator.

I use a small quail incubator for my jars which I have placed over a plastic enclosed hamster cage. The problem is that the jars directly beneath the incubator heat up as desired but the jars not directly under the incubator do not, thus resulting in very slow colonization.

I thought of converting a fridge into an incubator but when I sourced the heaters, the thermostat, and the fan the lot will cost me around Eur80 which is far more than what I wished to spend.

Any ideas on how I could improve my current setup?

 

why you are using one?

 

I find it increases the rate of colonization of grain.

 

Hello. My experience is more with keeping baby chicks warm. Completely new to mushrooms but here are three things I would try.
1. Set the hamster cage in a cardboard box the tighter the fit the better. Leave the top open.
2.You could wrap the hamster cage in aluminum foil including the bottom. Shiny side inward.
3. Same as #2 but use styrofoam or insulation.

Any one of the above should help even out the temperature. If the outfit becomes too warm remove some cardboard or insulation. Monitor the temp closely for the first few days after any changes.

Good luck!