Temperature Control Methods-Newbie

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by DKRowden, Dec 27, 2014.

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  1. DKRowden

    DKRowden Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2014 Washington

    I'm a brand new brewer and before I start my very first home brew, I wanted to cover all my bases and give myself the best chance to succeed. I know that sanitation of equipment is really important as well as temperature control during fermentation. Im not gonna keep my house at a steady 70° at all times so I need another method that is tried and true. Any suggestions or advise would be very appreciated.
     
  2. hoptualBrew

    hoptualBrew Initiate (0) May 29, 2011 Florida

    Welcome to homebrewing. Best advice I can give is a gutted fridge (without freezer) or a big chest freezer + an external thermostat regulator. Hit up Craigslist and you can amazon a thermostat regulator for probably a combined total of under $250. Plug and play, set and go. This is the gold standard for homebrewing. The external thermostat regulator allows you to override the units regulator and set the temp anywhere from lagering and serving temps in the 30s F to hot fermentation temps of 80 F.
     
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  3. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    keeping your household temperature is not going to keep your beer at that temperature anyway. Your beer is going to have an internal temperature that is warmer than your household temperature when fermentation is most active.
     
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  4. scurvy311

    scurvy311 Savant (1,135) Dec 3, 2005 Louisiana

    Yep. If you tell everyone you know to look out for a fridge or freezer, with time, one will surface. Meanwhile, tub with water and rotating out frozen water containers work if you have the flexibility to monitor it about 4 times a day. The "swamp cooler" works, but if you live in even a moderate humid place you'll probably be disappointed with it.
     
  5. dmtaylor

    dmtaylor Savant (1,149) Dec 30, 2003 Wisconsin

    Fermentation in the low to mid-60s is perfect for most ales. In other words, you can brew like 80% of all beer styles with the temperature the way it is, assuming you keep things a little cool in the 60s. If you're in the tropics, well then, you'll want to cool it down.
     
  6. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    ??
     
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  7. elchicodelgado

    elchicodelgado Initiate (0) Mar 3, 2008 Texas
    Trader

    He said his house is in the 70s so that's very warm when you consider the fermentation produces heat.
     
  8. scurvy311

    scurvy311 Savant (1,135) Dec 3, 2005 Louisiana

    OP said 70F will be the minimum and not all the time. The actual fermentation will be warmer than ambient.
     
  9. hoptualBrew

    hoptualBrew Initiate (0) May 29, 2011 Florida

    Last thing I'll say: fermentation control is one of the most pivotal aspects of making good beer, better to splurge here and cut costs elsewhere. You'll thank yourself later!
     
  10. DKRowden

    DKRowden Initiate (0) Apr 3, 2014 Washington

    Thanks for all the advice and knowledge. I have the the money to purchase a fridge and thermostat so if that's the best way then that's how I want to do my beers. Thanks again.
     
  11. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    Talking about splurging, this is something I've picked up for myself to have a set-and-forget method of constant temp control, and a nice brewing container to boot. Something to think and know about if you ever upgrade your equipment.
    SS Brewtech 7 gallon conical fermenter
    SS Brewtech FTSs
     
  12. Liberatiscioli

    Liberatiscioli Initiate (0) Oct 3, 2013 Pennsylvania

    Holy fermentation batman! That looks freakin awesome!
     
  13. bluehende

    bluehende Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2010 Delaware

    I know a few that have used a chest freezer also. The big thing with that is that the fermentor has a little distance from the sides and bottom.
     
  14. ronobvious2

    ronobvious2 Initiate (0) Aug 24, 2010 Tennessee

    Another thing to remember is that the probe needs to be inside the beer, not just dangling around in the freezer if you want to be really accurate. I don't know to to do that without some kind of custom drilling or something to the keg lid, perhaps.
     
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