Redneck renovation to keep my ferm cool

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by TxNative, Mar 12, 2015.

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  1. TxNative

    TxNative Initiate (0) Mar 10, 2015 Texas

    So... Im in the process of waiting for my first brew to ferment. As yall could assume Im extremely excited, and in general I like to take the process to the book. Everything is methodical for me. Blessing and a curse I suppose.

    Any ways, our house stays at around 68-72 F and since the beer is sorta big (1.07) I know it needs to be cooler than that. So I wrapped a wet towel around the carboy. Since me and my roommates are leaving town for spring break, one of which is the homeowners sun, we are required to turn the AC off. #@%@#$, I thought.

    Would it be the end of the world having our house at what I would guess to be 78ish F for a week? Probably not. But like I said, Im a control freak.

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    I got some tubing and clamped one end shut, taped it into a circle, and then poked holes in the bottom with a tack. Gravity does the work and it keeps the towel just about perfectly damp. So while I am away and my poor brew is left at inhumane temperatures she will have this at least. Ill hook it up to a much larger water container for the break though. This half gallon lasts about 7-9 hours unfortunately. But home or not its much easier to fill this thing up than to take the towel off and re dampen it in the sink.
     
    #1 TxNative, Mar 12, 2015
  2. CurtFromHershey

    CurtFromHershey Initiate (0) Oct 4, 2012 Minnesota

    After a few days of active fermentation, a jump in temperature won't kill your beer. 78* ambient temperature during the first ~3 days would probably lead to undesirable results however.
     
    #2 CurtFromHershey, Mar 12, 2015
  3. PortLargo

    PortLargo Pooh-Bah (1,831) Oct 19, 2012 Florida
    Pooh-Bah

    . . . on the bright side: by leaving town you'll be able to take a bath before the brew hits FG :wink:
     
    #3 PortLargo, Mar 12, 2015
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  4. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    The towel (or a T-shirt) will wick water up from the tub...no need for a gravity fed tube. The counter might be a good spot for a fan also.
     
    #4 GreenKrusty101, Mar 12, 2015
    Mongrel, JackHorzempa and pweis909 like this.
  5. TxNative

    TxNative Initiate (0) Mar 10, 2015 Texas

    @GreenKrusty101 wow... that is unreal that I didnt consider that. I was on an "engineering" binge and wanted to make someone so I guess I lost my common sense there.

    @CurtFromHershey so if it were to raise into the high 70s low 80s now there would be no problems?

    @PortLargo Haha thats too funny. I like brewing more than bathing so I sacrifice.
     
    #5 TxNative, Mar 12, 2015
  6. CurtFromHershey

    CurtFromHershey Initiate (0) Oct 4, 2012 Minnesota

    I mean, there's probably some detrimental effect, but if the yeast have already done their work I doubt your batch will be ruined by any means
     
    #6 CurtFromHershey, Mar 12, 2015
  7. Gary_Oak

    Gary_Oak Initiate (0) May 5, 2015 Connecticut

    I get where your coming from I like to keep everything controlled maybe try filling the bathtub with water, water is a great insulator and if you have a great volume around it you'll keep it within a few degrees I bet
     
    #7 Gary_Oak, May 6, 2015
  8. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    How many days are you into your fermentation?

    Cheers!
     
    #8 JackHorzempa, May 6, 2015
  9. corbmoster

    corbmoster Pundit (848) Dec 15, 2014 Texas
    Trader

    Ya, how did this turn out?
     
    #9 corbmoster, May 6, 2015
  10. corbmoster

    corbmoster Pundit (848) Dec 15, 2014 Texas
    Trader

    For what it's worth, I liked your tubing / drip idea. The jug of water has a smaller water surface area which = slower evaporation rate as opposed to water in a tub with a much larger surface area and an increased evaporation rate.
     
    #10 corbmoster, May 6, 2015
  11. Gary_Oak

    Gary_Oak Initiate (0) May 5, 2015 Connecticut

    A tub of water isn't going to evaporate noticeably for at least two weeks.
     
    #11 Gary_Oak, May 7, 2015
    DrMindbender and inchrisin like this.
  12. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Fill the tub with water. I've found that to be leagues better than trying to keep a towel damp for days on end.
     
    #12 inchrisin, May 7, 2015
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