Temperature control question

[BennyM]

I am tightening up the equipment here for temp control during fermentation, but had a question about how to achieve a cooler pitching temp. I have an immersion wort chiller, which does a good job, but I was wondering how to get the wort down the rest of the way to the low 60's. I would prefer a means that dosen't require a bunch of ice but I'm afraid that might not be possible. The real question is, how important is it to pitch the yeast right away, is it ok to seal up the fermenter and chill in a fridge first?

[bub]

If you are clean and sanitary slapping the carboy into the fridge overnight probably won't hurt anything... or you can add the yeast and slap it in the fridge right away... kinda the same thing, unless you pitch so high that fermentation starts within 4-5 hours you are probably cool...
Note neither one is optimal but both will make great beer... perhaps not pope quality but if you want that you have to give more.
BUB

[Push Eject]

I believe the pope used to do exactly that with his lagers. Fridge until 43F.

Have you seen Jamil's immersion chiller page?

Push Eject

[BennyM]

I did see Jamil's chiller page. I took a look, and the last couple of batches I lightly stirred in a whirlpool motion while chilling. it seemed to reduce chilling time by about 50%. My tap water is running about 70 degrees or so right now, so with my chiller I can get it to a reasonable temp I think. I just might pitch it in the low 70's and put the thing in the fridge. I am concentrating on this facet now because some of the other lessons have been learned, and we probably could do an excellent beer with a little more attention to the ferm temp. I also listened to Jamil's Koelsch show and had "temperature control, temperature control" stuck in my head ever since. I don't lnow why I stuck this thread into this category by the way, I am an all-grain brewer.

[Push Eject]

I also listened to Jamil's Koelsch show and had "temperature control, temperature control" stuck in my head ever since.

I hear you. I was the one who called in during that show about temp control and I am now the proud owner of a huge used chest freezer.

I haven't plugged it in yet, mind you, but I own the thing, damn it!

[BennyM]

Funny you say that, Push. I found a freebie locally last sunday and it has my Kolsch in it now. I have a non-digital control though, and its a little wide in its temp range. You should see this monster....it is the exact same thing I had growing up- you know that mod brown color from the 60's they used to have?

[Push Eject]

Here is a link to an awesome-looking DIY digital temp controller for less than $25.

Push Eject

[Kaiser]

Have you seen Jamil's immersion chiller page?

You should also check-out the part about recirculating ice water with a pump to get down to 45..65F. You could use a cheap multi-purpose pump from HD/Lowes for that. I have such a pump for misc use in the yard and will be trying to recirculate ice water next time I bew.

Kai