Fermentation Temperature range

**anengineer** · 01-25-2012, 11:54 PM

The following graph shows the temperature change over 24-hours in my
basement. Data was recorded using Labview.

Please review the following graph and let me know how much I should be
concerned regarding my basement fermentation temperature.

**Boleslaus** · 01-26-2012, 12:02 AM

You may want to track it over a longer period. It looks like the temperature fluctuates a bit with the weather? Either that or the times listed there aren't the actual time of day. If it only fluctuates +/- 2 degrees that is great! The thermal mass of the beer will keep it almost perfectly steady around 65.5.

pernox · 01-26-2012, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boleslaus

You may want to track it over a longer period. It looks like the temperature fluctuates a bit with the weather? Either that or the times listed there aren't the actual time of day. If it only fluctuates +/- 2 degrees that is great! The thermal mass of the beer will keep it almost perfectly steady around 65.5.

Or it fluctuates in time with the weather and a cycling furnace.

**Boleslaus** · 01-26-2012, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pernox

Or it fluctuates in time with the weather and a cycling furnace.

Could be, didn't think of that.

**samc** · 01-26-2012, 12:32 AM

If you are doing Lagers, you are so screwed !

Ales, you are in the zone - brew on!

pernox · 01-26-2012, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boleslaus

Could be, didn't think of that.

Well, you're in Atlanta... My furnace is kicking on at the moment here in the Berkshire Hills of MA... Makes sense.

i4ourgot · 01-26-2012, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by samc

If you are doing Lagers, you are so screwed !

Ales, you are in the zone - brew on!

Why do you say screwed. I though it was alright for some lagers to ferment this high, like a steam beer. My other question are what are the effects of changes in temperature my house probably fluctuates by 8 degrees

**Boleslaus** · 01-26-2012, 12:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by i4ourgot

Why do you say screwed. I though it was alright for some lagers to ferment this high, like a steam beer. My other question are what are the effects of changes in temperature my house probably fluctuates by 8 degrees

Steam beer is unique. If you fermented a Munich Helles at that temp. it would most likely turn out sub-par.

**anengineer** · 01-26-2012, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pernox

Or it fluctuates in time with the weather and a cycling furnace.

--------
Indeed, we're seeing the effect of furnace cycling.

I'm still recording so we'll see if there's much variance
over extended time due to weather. (And I do ferment
mainly ales but do use the much cooler attached and
unheated garage for lagers and cider.)

So, can I assume the 2-degrees change over 24-hours
is inconsequential for ales?

**Boleslaus** · 01-26-2012, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by anengineer

--------
Indeed, we're seeing the effect of furnace cycling.

I'm still recording so we'll see if there's much variance
over extended time due to weather. (And I do ferment
mainly ales but do use the much cooler attached and
unheated garage for lagers and cider.)

So, can I assume the 2-degrees change over 24-hours
is inconsequential for ales?

I would say definitely. But I'm in Atlanta and use my AC in January, so what do I know haha.