Fermentation Temp Control

Hey Guys,

I've got a closet dedicated to brewing, but it stays around 70 to 72 degrees, which is within reason for most ales, but I'd like to get it around 65 to 68 degrees. I don't have the cash, or space, for a portable AC unit, so I was thinking of simply getting a big tub and filling it with water, but was curious of how much that would make a difference.

Any input would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark

That's what I do. And dump a little ice in the tub in the morning and before I go to bed. It keeps the temp around 65 degrees with fluctuations of only a couple degrees inbetween icings.

Another thing you can do is a wet towel and a fan. Wrap the wet towel around the carboy and put a fan on it. The evaporation will cool it down a few degrees/

For me 67 can become 62 degrees! For you where it's more humid you can still get a few degrees cooler I bet.

I just moved into a new place where I’m brewing in my basement. The first batch I brewed fermented at somewhere between 72-78 and I could taste a lot of ester bananay flavors. The second batch I brewed I let it ferment in a big plastic tub with the carboy submerged in water about halfway up its side. The water stayed at a pretty consistent 60 degrees and the thermometer on the side of the carboy read a pretty constant 68 degrees. The beer is still a little young in the bottles but it seems to have a much cleaner flavor. So yes, I think your idea will work/help. You could try freezing four water bottles and switching two out at a time in the mornings and evenings to try and keep it even cooler if you need to.

Mine sits in a tub sink in my basement and ferments at a nice 67 F. Its a common temp control strategy.

The tub approach should work, but you'll have to leave the door open or add ice occasionally.

Mine sits in my bathtub,the tub holds temps real nice.

The water in tub method works very well. I have mine setup as a rubbermaid tub filled with about 3-4 gallons of water, 4 frozen coke bottles I switch out 2-3 times a day, and covered with 2 towels. Using this method I have consistent 63-65F temps.

Thanks Guys for all of the replies. I was curious of what type of results I would get, and I knew a lot of you did this. Sounds like I will be purchasing a tub (or two) this week...

Prost!

BTW, I'm planning on doing EdWort's Bavarian Hefe, any tips, tricks, input not covered in the 28 pages of that post?

I bought a 60qt Igloo Ice Cube and the carboy fits in there with room for 2 or 3 2 liter ice bottles. So far, even on hot days I only use one bottle a day and my temps are staying 65° or below. I imagine it wold fit right into the closet...

Throw some bleach or an oz or 3 of starsan in the water...or else after a month or two it gets skunky.

have to keep the temps that low for all of primary fermentation or just the first 2 or 3 days?

LarryC said:

I bought a 60qt Igloo Ice Cube and the carboy fits in there with room for 2 or 3 2 liter ice bottles. So far, even on hot days I only use one bottle a day and my temps are staying 65° or below. I imagine it wold fit right into the closet...

Click to expand...

Do you put water in there as well, or just the bottles of ice?

ic3scrap3r said:

Do you put water in there as well, or just the bottles of ice?

Click to expand...

Yep, about half way up the carboy.