Hello Folks, I'm having a dickens of a time with the Brewjacket. I set the thermostat to 55 deg for lagers, and it only reduces the temp to about 67 deg. Anyone have any troubleshooting ideas? Thanks. - Prestomeco
I don’t have one, but I have researched them. I think that might be as low as it can get without some help, like insulation. From what I read they don’t really perform as advertised. What is your ambient temperature? Has anyone out there been able to get one to work at lager temps?
What kind of fermentor? That can make about a 10°F difference according to the BrewJacket site. Says it will heat or cool 35° above or below ambient in carboys and buckets, and 25° above/below ambient in conicals (both plastic and stainless).
Here's a link to a thread about a Brewjacket review by a BA that stated in 2016 but has some posting activity from just a year ago. Perhaps it can help. https://www.beeradvocate.com/community/threads/brewjacket-a-preliminary-review.388756/ P.S. Welcome to the BA site and to the Homebrewing forum, Prestomeco. Feel free to hang around this forum as much as you'd like.
Ambient temp between 68 and 73. Initially set the BJ to 55. Never got below 68. Increased BJ to 60. Same result. I sent my unit back for a repair and BJ sent me a loaner unit. So far same result with the loaner.
Have tried both a plastic "Big Mouth Bubbler" and a plastic bucket. Both kept in the insulated bag provided by BJ. Ambient temp is from 68 to 73. Temp never gets below 67.
Thanks for the commentary. I bought mine specifically for lagers, and thus far I am disappointed. Have you brought the temp down to 55 deg? In my experimentation, I started with a liquid temp of 68 with no reduction in a 24-hour period. I decreased the liquid temp to 60 deg, and still no reduction over time. Very frustrating. BJ said they would check out my unit if I sent it back, and send me a loaner in the mean time. I am doing the same experiments with the loaner with the same results.
Well....that stinks. If it happened with only one unit that'd be one thing. But with two (including the loaner) not working as you expect it sounds like more than coincidence. One would think they'd have sent you a verified working loaner. Looks like the replies here aren't from members who have used the Brewjacket. You might consider posting in the thread that @PapaGoose03 linked to in post # 4. Hope you get it worked out.
