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Temperature control... on a budget Temperature control... on a budget
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Old 08-20-2008, 10:10 PM   #1
Saccharomyces
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Default Temperature control... on a budget
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.
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I feel my liver quivering like it's going to jump out and run. Best part about this stuff is you could mix it up then have it ready when you get out of rehab
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Old 08-20-2008, 11:51 PM   #2
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Using the box fan is a great idea! Do you get any kind of condensation at all?
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Old 08-21-2008, 05:07 PM   #3
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No, because of the air conditioning... otherwise it would be quite damp since the outside dew point is about 72 this time of year.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by REPROBATE View Post
I feel my liver quivering like it's going to jump out and run. Best part about this stuff is you could mix it up then have it ready when you get out of rehab
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Old 12-10-2008, 02:50 PM   #4
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Default Supercharged Cooler!
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.
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Old 12-10-2008, 04:36 PM   #5
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That's a pretty cheep and efficient method. Love the blow-off idea!
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Old 12-12-2008, 11:18 PM   #6
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looks like beer fermenting in a sess pool.
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Old 12-13-2008, 01:48 PM   #7
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word to the ghetto style
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Old 12-13-2008, 02:46 PM   #8
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Must be a mess getting that carboy out of there.
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Old 12-13-2008, 04:46 PM   #9
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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.
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Old 12-13-2008, 05:54 PM   #10
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Dumping the blow off back into the cooling liquid looks nasty. Interesting concept, but IMO, too sloppy for practical usage.
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