Temperature control... on a budget

**Saccharomyces** · 08-20-2008, 11:10 PM

So, folks seem to like my solution, so I thought it was worthy of a post.

Meet the redneck illegitimate child of fermentation chiller:

-and-

(HBT logo not a requirement

)

* 32 gallon can $12
* Box fan $12
* Old T-shirt free
* Re-usable ice blocks (soda bottles filled with water to 1" from the cap) free.

With the fan on low, and ambient temp 72-74 it stays 66-67 in there, a solid 6-7 degree drop from evaporative cooling. Adding two 24oz soda bottles twice a day drops the temp down to 62-63.

I figure if I wanted to get REALLY fancy I could nest this can in a 55 gallon can and stuff the gap with blankets for insulation, then I could do lagers in it if I used enough ice. But I digress, since the whole point is really cheap, easy temperature control for ales. No more excuses for fusels and fruity stouts...

The liquid pool is old Star-san, I threw the contents of my homer bucket in there when I mixed up a fresh batch of Star-san so the blowoff tube could go right into the "moat". No worries about slime.

Messy blowoff from barleywine not included.

**A4J** · 08-21-2008, 12:51 AM

Using the box fan is a great idea! Do you get any kind of condensation at all?

**Saccharomyces** · 08-21-2008, 06:07 PM

No, because of the air conditioning... otherwise it would be quite damp since the outside dew point is about 72 this time of year.

tradewindsbrewing · 12-10-2008, 03:50 PM

Was setting here looking at your ferm cooler. Nice....

If you wanted to let things get just a bit cooler without adding more ice etc you could increase evaporation by punching some 1 inch holes just above your water line, then place the fan blowing up and out of the can. You will get a jet of air rushing in over the water and crashing into the ferm. Evaporation will go up, temps will go down.

If you make this upgrade I request you find a turbo, or supercharged sticker and put on your setup.

Cheers.

Calico Jack · 12-10-2008, 05:36 PM

That's a pretty cheep and efficient method. Love the blow-off idea!

terrazza · 12-13-2008, 12:18 AM

looks like beer fermenting in a sess pool.

mandoman · 12-13-2008, 02:48 PM

word to the ghetto style

wendelgee2 · 12-13-2008, 03:46 PM

Must be a mess getting that carboy out of there.

Jack · 12-13-2008, 05:46 PM

Great idea! If SWMBO will get onboard, I may make one of these.

You could even wrap insulation around the sides of the garbage can to improve its performance.

And add a rack to the bottom so the carboy will be exposed to cool water.

And add a nozzle to the side making it easier to drain the water out.

carl spakler · 12-13-2008, 06:54 PM

Dumping the blow off back into the cooling liquid looks nasty. Interesting concept, but IMO, too sloppy for practical usage.