montec assassin
06-25-2017, 11:18 PM
Hi, I've been working on a meat cooler in my back yard that I'm really excited about so I figured I'd create a thread here to share it with you. Also, to perhaps view some pics of what some other HBC Members have built.
So, the back story is I've always said I'd build a meat cooler if I ever buy acreage. Well, the acreage hasn't happened yet but I did find a commercial walk in meat cooler unit on kijiji for $100. Jumping at the opportunity, I've started the process. When I built my house 10 years ago I also built a shed in the back yard. It was built pretty skookum. 2x4 construction and vaulted ceiling. I included an extra long ridge beam out the front for a kids swing and a covered portion on the side to keep extra building material protected.
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2540_zpsgkjscveb.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2540_zpsgkjscveb.jpg.html)
Being a home builder, I was able to get some material for nothing, and next to nothing, so I filled the stud cavities and rafter spacings with 3.5" rigid insulation. I spray foamed any voids along the way.
I then lined the walls and ceiling with 2" rigid insulation to cover the studs to protect from thermal bridging and giving me an approximate R value of 20. I read industry standard in coolers is around 25-30 so with the oversized unit and 7' x 7' finished space inside I know this thing will be just fantastic. I built out my door to hold insulation and then lined the inside with 7/16" OSB.
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2529_zpsudmv8ngr.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2529_zpsudmv8ngr.jpg.html)
The compressor unit fits nicely under the covered portion and the fans leave me enough room to get a good number of animals chilling nicely inside.
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2533_zpswptklhwk.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2533_zpswptklhwk.jpg.html)
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2536_zpsd07bpdyn.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2536_zpsd07bpdyn.jpg.html)
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2538_zpsvf03uck4.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2538_zpsvf03uck4.jpg.html)
There is still the finishing touches to do. My electrician will be pulling power from my house and getting it lit up with lighting and power. My neighbour is a refrigeration technician so he is going to get me set up and dialled in.
The front swing beam will now act as a skinning beam before they head into the cooler. I will be rigging up the inside with piping to hang my meat hooks from and a crank to hoist a gambrel or two. I am going to paint a silhouette of a mule deer head on the inside and hang some of those old school metal outdoorsy signs in there too. Very unnecessary but may as well do it up right and have some fun with it.
I've just recently completed my PAL course so I'm very excited about this coming hunting season. I've been a longtime bowhunter for years and years, but i've got a thirst for learning how to shoot rifle and am looking forward to more opportunity than my stick and string has provided. Don't get me wrong, I was regularly successful with my bow but it's just another branch of being a hunter/outdoorsman.
Thanks
Myles
So, the back story is I've always said I'd build a meat cooler if I ever buy acreage. Well, the acreage hasn't happened yet but I did find a commercial walk in meat cooler unit on kijiji for $100. Jumping at the opportunity, I've started the process. When I built my house 10 years ago I also built a shed in the back yard. It was built pretty skookum. 2x4 construction and vaulted ceiling. I included an extra long ridge beam out the front for a kids swing and a covered portion on the side to keep extra building material protected.
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2540_zpsgkjscveb.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2540_zpsgkjscveb.jpg.html)
Being a home builder, I was able to get some material for nothing, and next to nothing, so I filled the stud cavities and rafter spacings with 3.5" rigid insulation. I spray foamed any voids along the way.
I then lined the walls and ceiling with 2" rigid insulation to cover the studs to protect from thermal bridging and giving me an approximate R value of 20. I read industry standard in coolers is around 25-30 so with the oversized unit and 7' x 7' finished space inside I know this thing will be just fantastic. I built out my door to hold insulation and then lined the inside with 7/16" OSB.
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2529_zpsudmv8ngr.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2529_zpsudmv8ngr.jpg.html)
The compressor unit fits nicely under the covered portion and the fans leave me enough room to get a good number of animals chilling nicely inside.
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2533_zpswptklhwk.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2533_zpswptklhwk.jpg.html)
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2536_zpsd07bpdyn.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2536_zpsd07bpdyn.jpg.html)
http://i1356.photobucket.com/albums/q731/builtstrong/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2538_zpsvf03uck4.jpg (http://s1356.photobucket.com/user/builtstrong/media/Meat%20Cooler/IMG_2538_zpsvf03uck4.jpg.html)
There is still the finishing touches to do. My electrician will be pulling power from my house and getting it lit up with lighting and power. My neighbour is a refrigeration technician so he is going to get me set up and dialled in.
The front swing beam will now act as a skinning beam before they head into the cooler. I will be rigging up the inside with piping to hang my meat hooks from and a crank to hoist a gambrel or two. I am going to paint a silhouette of a mule deer head on the inside and hang some of those old school metal outdoorsy signs in there too. Very unnecessary but may as well do it up right and have some fun with it.
I've just recently completed my PAL course so I'm very excited about this coming hunting season. I've been a longtime bowhunter for years and years, but i've got a thirst for learning how to shoot rifle and am looking forward to more opportunity than my stick and string has provided. Don't get me wrong, I was regularly successful with my bow but it's just another branch of being a hunter/outdoorsman.
Thanks
Myles