too hot to brew

cenla · 08-02-2010, 09:46 PM

So I've got the ingredients for my next brew on the way. Should arrive tomorrow or the day after.

And what happens? A heat wave. It's over 100 on the thermometer and with humidity and other factors added in it's over 110. We've been avoiding turning on the oven to keep the temp down in the house.

I don't see how I can cool the wort down to pitchable temp and then keep it cool during fermentation. It just isn't gonna happen.

I'm gonna have to wait for the heat to break before I attempt my next brew. Could be the end of August before I can brew again.

elpenoso · 08-02-2010, 09:48 PM

Pre-chiller and fermentation chamber. Anything can happen if you want it to.

Captain_Bigelow · 08-02-2010, 09:49 PM

You need a good chiller and plenty of ice for a pre-chiller to get the water temperature down.

**Malticulous** · 08-02-2010, 09:53 PM

I live in a desert. Im brewing now and last I looked my thermometer on my back porch was 107. Two things I have that help me make beer now is a chest freezer and a temperature controler. I can make lagers even.

With my 70F running water I have to leave it in my freezer until I get to pitching temps. Lagers are pitched the next morning. I've tried a prechiller and it does a better job of melting ice than chilling wort. I might try a recirculation pump.

**azscoob** · 08-02-2010, 10:26 PM

I agree with using an ice bath and a chiller, also a fermentation chamber of some sort. a couple weeks ago Soperbrew came over and we brewed up a quick 5 gallons out in the heat, it was 115° outside and humidity was at 47% that day, that puts the heat index at 166°. We had no issues at all with the brew day other than the beer was going down too easy. Chilling took about 20 minutes to get to 60° using a ribcage immersion chiller and a pond pump drawing from a cooler of ice water. and it was fermenting at 60° in a converted mini fridge with a temp controller.
Brewing in the heat just requires a couple more bits of equipment like a pond pump, 40-50lbs of ice and a spare cooler. fermenting in the heat can get a bit pricey, I scored a free dorm fridge that works great, and since I added a collar to it I can now ferment 15 gallons at a time at any temp from 33° to 80°.

**barnyard** · 08-02-2010, 10:31 PM

Don't you have AC???

cenla · 08-02-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barnyard

Don't you have AC???

yeah, but A.C. only addresses ambient temp. The tap water is hot. Even with A.C. the indoors temp is in the 80s.

I should add that I brew on a shoestring budget. No money for pre-chillers and immersion chillers.

Also- my original post was meant as a lament, although it does really help to know folks who brew in 107 and 115 degree temperatures. Inspires me to rethink my planned delay...