Regulating Fermantation Temperature

[hvictor]

The one thing holding back my brewing efforts at this stage is fluctuating/too hot/too cold fermentation temperatures.

What options are available to novice home brewer?

[tweedronk]

Living in Nelspruit i have a huge problem with high temperatures. I use a 7 day weather forecast and hope for a cooler week. If that fails, use a wet towel and a fan. Hope it helps.

[philgil]

(25-11-2009 07:15 AM)hvictor Wrote:  The one thing holding back my brewing efforts at this stage is fluctuating/too hot/too cold fermentation temperatures.

What options are available to novice home brewer?

I'm presuming you are using a Plastic bucket, wrap a wet towel around it and point a fan at it. Keep the towel wet and it will stabilise (and drop) the temp.

[tweedronk]

We have a 70 l stainless fermenter and yes the wet towel wil drop the temp a bit. I you have money there are more options:
1 Aircon
2 Copper tubing around the fermenter to run tap water though (wastes a lot of water)

[projectz]

you can get a regulator kit to modify and old fridge or freezer box ! or put it into the bath with water in it to keep the temp constant ,the first 3 days is important to stop the the brew over heating !

[masterbrewer]

I currently use a old fridge with a temperature regulator (Johnson A419 controler). Keep ambient temp 3C lower than fermentation temp.

Before that, this was my solution: http://www.worthogbrewers.co.za/gallery/...-Fermenter

[natie]

:)Hi hvictor, I have an inexpensive solution that works well. I ferment in a 25 litre glass carboy, inside a 45 litre plastic drum (R 90). A submersible pump (R 169), placed inside a coolerbox with one or two milk bottles (filled with water & frozen) circulates cooled water in the space between the carboy & the bucket, whence it drains back into the coolerbox. The pump is switched on/off via a mechanical thermostat (R 100), with the probe in the space between the carboy and the bucket. In Summer the thermostat is set at about 15 degrees to maintain 18 degrees in the carboy. In Winter an aquarium heater can be placed in the coolerbox to heat the water. This setup maintains the temperature within 1,5 degree C during the initial stages of fermentation and within 0,5 degree during the latter stages. Contact me for pics or call & arrange visit if you are in Pretoria area.

[projectz]

we may be able to give you better options if you can tell us more!
ie -are you using lager or ale yeasts!
are you brewing in a tin shed or brick house
how big is the fermentor and made of what
average temp day and night in brewing room
what have you got already and what have you tried so far

i bet many others are still having the same problem as you - i think that NATIE is on the path but i know playing with thermostats for the novice is a bit much!
but blocks of ice in the plastic drum and a good temp gauge is getting there !
plenty of time to get fancy later ! enjoy

[Jeremy Wallis]

(25-11-2009 10:26 PM)natie Wrote:  :)Hi hvictor, I have an inexpensive solution that works well. I ferment in a 25 litre glass carboy, inside a 45 litre plastic drum (R 90). A submersible pump (R 169), placed inside a coolerbox with one or two milk bottles (filled with water & frozen) circulates cooled water in the space between the carboy & the bucket, whence it drains back into the coolerbox. The pump is switched on/off via a mechanical thermostat (R 100), with the probe in the space between the carboy and the bucket. In Summer the thermostat is set at about 15 degrees to maintain 18 degrees in the carboy. In Winter an aquarium heater can be placed in the coolerbox to heat the water. This setup maintains the temperature within 1,5 degree C during the initial stages of fermentation and within 0,5 degree during the latter stages. Contact me for pics or call & arrange visit if you are in Pretoria area.

This sounds like something we need to see a picture of ! The Forum allows you to insert pictures to posts (see the icon in the same line as the Text Formatting icons (looks like a mountain).

Jeremy.

[natie]

(26-11-2009 08:54 PM)Jeremy Wallis Wrote:  

(25-11-2009 10:26 PM)natie Wrote:  :)Hi hvictor, I have an inexpensive solution that works well. I ferment in a 25 litre glass carboy, inside a 45 litre plastic drum (R 90). A submersible pump (R 169), placed inside a coolerbox with one or two milk bottles (filled with water & frozen) circulates cooled water in the space between the carboy & the bucket, whence it drains back into the coolerbox. The pump is switched on/off via a mechanical thermostat (R 100), with the probe in the space between the carboy and the bucket. In Summer the thermostat is set at about 15 degrees to maintain 18 degrees in the carboy. In Winter an aquarium heater can be placed in the coolerbox to heat the water. This setup maintains the temperature within 1,5 degree C during the initial stages of fermentation and within 0,5 degree during the latter stages. Contact me for pics or call & arrange visit if you are in Pretoria area.

This sounds like something we need to see a picture of ! The Forum allows you to insert pictures to posts (see the icon in the same line as the Text Formatting icons (looks like a mountain).

Jeremy.

---

OK Jeremy, will put something together this weekend.

[hvictor]

(26-11-2009 01:38 PM)projectz Wrote:  we may be able to give you better options if you can tell us more!
ie -are you using lager or ale yeasts!
are you brewing in a tin shed or brick house
how big is the fermentor and made of what
average temp day and night in brewing room
what have you got already and what have you tried so far

i bet many others are still having the same problem as you - i think that NATIE is on the path but i know playing with thermostats for the novice is a bit much!
but blocks of ice in the plastic drum and a good temp gauge is getting there !
plenty of time to get fancy later ! enjoy

Some more information as requested:
1. Currenty ale yeast, but would like to keep options open
2. In Centurion in my garage, temps fluctuate a lot with 40+ measured last summer.
3. Currently 25l bucket, hoping to upgrade to the Worthogs 60l Hopper Fermenter (plastic)
4. Have tried the wet towel and fan. worked fine, but would like a more permanent solution.

Thanks for the replies. would definitely make a point of visiting some of you to look at your setups.