Regulating Fermentation

brans041 · January 11, 2012, 10:33pm

Okay, so here goes my predicament:

I have a small freezer that will hold my primary and secondary fermentation, but not a whole lot more than that. I placed it in my basement, in one of the storage rooms. I can cool it off using my digital meter. That is not a problem.

The problem I have is, during the winter the storage room sits about 50-55 degrees, way too cold to conduct fermentation. The freezer, obviously get down to this temperature eventually. My question is, aside from buying a heat belt and hoping that the belt will heat the whole freezer, is there any other suggestions? I would rather not heat the storage room, as the electric heater is a monster!

Thanks for your help.

cliffordbrewing · January 11, 2012, 10:42pm

I made an ‘incuMaider’ by filling a large rubbermaid bin with water and regulate temps with a cheapo aquarium heater. The incubator stays at a constant 68 degrees F. There’s a few threads on the subject, and I know many brewers that use this with great success.

bob_t · January 11, 2012, 10:44pm

I have a 60W incandescent light in my freezer, plugged into my temp controller. Works well.

nighthawk · January 11, 2012, 10:53pm

Ceramic space heater.

a10t2 · January 11, 2012, 11:02pm

Electric hair dryer (or like Nighthawk said, a space heater) on a temperature controller.

brans041 · January 12, 2012, 5:43pm

Thanks all, for the comments. Very helpful.

takehiko · January 12, 2012, 8:54pm

Keep the fermenter in your freezer (good insulation from the cool surroundings) and put a Fermwrap on it. Use your temp controller to regulate it. Tape the thermo probe directly to your fermentation vessel for the most accurate reading.

adam20 · January 12, 2012, 10:25pm

My advice is start lagering

brans041 · January 13, 2012, 3:10pm

I’ve never looked into it. does it ferment at a lower temp?

wahoo · January 13, 2012, 3:21pm

yes low 50s are great for lagers

dobe12 · January 13, 2012, 3:47pm

+1! Exactly what I was thinking. I’d kill for a room that stayed at 50F constantly.
Be grateful for the cool room and put it to use.

brans041 · January 13, 2012, 3:49pm

Its only that cold in the winter, 'cause we’re cheap and don’t turn on the heat down there. I just got into doing Ales in October, so it will have to wait until next winter. By then I may own my own place and be SOL.

a10t2 · January 13, 2012, 3:50pm

I do love having a basement that never gets over 56°F…

adam20 · January 13, 2012, 4:28pm

Ah moving. Oh well. Ales are great.