Fermentation Temp Issues.

[GweedoeBrew]

Weeeellllll... I listened to an archive show with Jamil on it today... prior to listening to it... I was all sorts of pumped to upgrade equiptment and move into All Grain... yada yada yada... But then JZ bursts my bubble and says that yeast and Fermentation Temps are the most important part of the process.

Since brewing one issue I have had is keeping a consistant Fermentation Temp. In the summer my temps were high... like in the upper 70's. Now it is the winter and my temp fluxuates a lot. yesterday I was at 64 today I was at 58 on a Mild Ale. (did I mention I live in New England... and it sucks).

So what do other people do to control their fermentation Temps... As much as I would like to buy a Temp Controled Conical from B3... The money tree isn't in my F-ing back yard!! So I need some economical ideas... But in good news.. I am handy... A contractor.. and a former electronics tech... So I can put things together... I just need some ideas of what other people do.

[meisterofpuppets]

Just get a cheap fridge with a digital external thermostat.

[Mylo]

Just get a cheap fridge with a digital external thermostat.

+1

I scored a big ass chest freezer for $50 on Craigslist, and a Ranco digital controller for $50 on ebay.... AG is cool, and you have a lot more control over the malts character, mouthfeel, etc... but FTC will help out a tremendous amount with any technique, including extract (once you have gone to full boil). Oh, and a yeast starter... and aeration.... Do those first.



Mylo

[GweedoeBrew]

Just get a cheap fridge with a digital external thermostat.

+1

I scored a big ass chest freezer for $50 on Craigslist, and a Ranco digital controller for $50 on ebay.... AG is cool, and you have a lot more control over the malts character, mouthfeel, etc... but FTC will help out a tremendous amount with any technique, including extract (once you have gone to full boil). Oh, and a yeast starter... and aeration.... Do those first.

Mylo

Full Boil and Yeast Starters (even thought apparently JZ says you have to make a huge Yeast starter) done...

Aeration... I shake the hell out of it... and I pour into my Carboy's throught a strainer... So I am 1/2way there...

My wife will love me when I tell her I need to buy a fridge for fermenting!!

[numsquat]

Living in North-West Iowa here. When it's warm I use an old fridge with a single-stage Ranco controller. When it's cold, I use a fermentation box i built I built out of some scrap lumber, a unused metal grate shelf, a 1500 watt heater and some rigid foam insulation. Around $50 of materials from Menards, plus what I had around. Holds 3 plastic buckets, I use the Ranco from the fridge for it.

I plan on making a fermentation closet in the garage this summer. Will use a dual-stage Ranco, use the same heater setup but will add an exhaust fan reversed to add cool air as needed. Will work great during 6+ months of winter we have around here.