I have a basic homebrew setup, $100 to burn, and a desire for better temp control

What should I do?

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You can find a cheap fridge any day of the week on craigslist. Maybe one not quite at your $100 limit so you can buy a cheap temp controller for it. If space is an issue you could try a swamp cooler. Basically a cooler filled with water/ice to put your carboy in. Drape a wet towel or shirt over it with a fan blowing on it if it gets too hot for just the water/ice to work.

The "Son of Fermentation Chiller" is also a good option. I'm finishing up my version of this type of chiller tomorrow and will put it to use this weekend. It is basically a two-chambered box made of hard extruded polystyrene insulation. One chamber holds your fermenter, a smaller chamber holds a couple of gallon jugs filled with ice (that need to be replaced every couple of days), and air is circulated by a small computer fan which is hooked to a thermostat. You'll probably spend $75-$85 (I spent just over $80) on materials and most of an afternoon putting it together. You can do a search and find detailed plans.
From all of the accounts I've read, this type of fermentation chamber is quite reliable and can accurately maintain temperatures down to about thirty degrees below ambient room temp. It also costs VERY little to run and is quite light and easy to move.

Also check out the free section of craigslist. There's often free fridges in there that may be ugly, but they work. Then just buy a temp controller and you're set.

You want a temperature controller for your new fridge/freezer? I have a Johnson controls 7051 analog controller which I don't use since I switched to digital. It works fine, and you can have it for $30.00. If you want it, send me a PM.
I must admit, I found controlling the fermentation temperature made a fantastic difference to the quality of my brews.

-a

dap325 said:

Basically a cooler filled with water/ice to put your carboy in.

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For well under $100, this is the obvious first move. Multitasking bonus: a cooler with a drain is a few items away from doubling as a MLT (see dennybrew).

944play said:

For well under $100, this is the obvious first move. Multitasking bonus: a cooler with a drain is a few items away from doubling as a MLT (see dennybrew).

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How much actual control does this method afford the brewer? Could one actually pull off a passable lager with a tub of ice and a wet t-shirt?

whahoppened said:

How much actual control does this method afford the brewer?

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In homebrewing, beer controls you! Apologies to "Soviet Russia" jokes everywhere, but during active fermentation you'll be swapping ice bottles twice a day.