My 4×6 DIY Walk-In Deer Cooler Setup – Window AC + Inkbird Controller Tour (No CoolBot Needed)
After I posted that clip of a deer hanging in my new 4×6 walk-in deer cooler, a ton of y’all asked how I had everything set up — so here’s the full DIY walkthrough.
This setup uses a Window AC and an Inkbird temperature controller as a CoolBot alternative, along with a 1-5/8" Unistrut rail system for hanging deer at home.
I built out the inside of this insulated 4×6 shed I found on Facebook Marketplace and turned it into a functional walk-in deer cooler for deer season. If you're trying to build a DIY deer cooler / DIY game cooler or want ideas to save money without buying a CoolBot, this breakdown will help you get started.
🦌 WHAT I COVER IN THIS VIDEO:
• How much a 4×6 insulated cooler can actually hold
• Window AC setup + how the Inkbird controller runs it
• Temperature probe placement & basic wiring layout
• 1-5/8" Unistrut rail system with trolleys & heavy-duty meat hooks
• How I hang deer and move them around inside the cooler
• Lighting setup, airflow, and cooling efficiency tips
• A few things I’d change or improve next time
💰 DISCLOSURE:
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
🔧 GEAR & PARTS USED IN THIS BUILD (Affiliate Links):
• Unistrut Trolley Hooks (for the 1-5/8” trolley system) → https://amzn.to/4riacVg
• Heavy-Duty Meat Hooks (for hanging deer/animals) → https://amzn.to/4plyvzY
• Inkbird Temperature Controller (CoolBot alternative) → https://amzn.to/3Xe4dDh
• LED Shop Lights (mounted inside the walk-in cooler) → https://amzn.to/4abisAl
• Recommended Window A/C Unit (not the exact one I used, but a solid 6,000 BTU option that will get the job done) → https://amzn.to/4ir1HDt
• 1-5/8" Unistrut Channel (quick link — you can sometimes find this cheaper at a local hardware store) → https://amzn.to/4prkjW8
If you’ve got questions about this cooler setup or your own DIY walk-in deer cooler build, drop them in the comments — happy to help.
0:00 – Intro
1:00 – Outside of My Cooler
5:20 – Inside of My Cooler
8:45 – Rail System
12:22 – Trolleys & Meat Hooks
14:25 – My Air Conditioner
15:53 – Inkbird Controlling the Air Conditioner
19:60 – How Inkbird is Wired to the A/C
24:31 – Outro