AC vent for temp control?

[sareinhart]

I'm planning on brewing a DIPA with WLP002. Up to now, I've just fermented at room temperature but, the more I read, the more I realize that I want to get fermentation temp lower. I don't have a keezer for a fermentation chamber yet and my basement is basically at the same temp as the rest of my house - 71 F.

So, what if I just keep my fermenter half on the AC vent as a stopgap? Keep that cold air blowing on it. Has anyone ever done this? Does it work?

 

[KartRacer54]

You could place the fermentor next to the vent and cover the vent and the fermentor with a box. May not be ideal but assuming 50 degree output from vent should reduce fermentor a few degrees.
I am working on using computer fans to feed my 3 bay fermentation chamber using input from the AC plenum. Not sure what I will get but temp is currently steady at 69 degrees.

 

[hopbrad]

ive done it. it was when i first started and didnt care as much. beer turned out good. i think room temp was around the same for me. but i fermented with us-05, that strain is better at warmer temps.
Ive never used 002 but i think it's similar to us-04. If it is, it will which throws off alot of esters/fusels at warmer temps.
your easiest and cheapest fix is put your fermenter in a water bath (cooler, bathtub, keg tub, etc) with ice or some frozen 2L bottles. I'd suggest give it all you got the first day with a big bag of ice and frozen bottles to get the fermenter down to upper 50's, low 60's. Then rotate out a few bottles per day for the next few days and by the 3rd or 4th day you can let it go to room temp with no worries.

 

[sareinhart]

Thanks!

The box on the fermenter is a great idea! I always use one anyway to keep the dogs away from it.

 

[sareinhart]

Hopbrad - Thanks!

You've answered a related question that I had. I was thinking that I could let it drift back to room temperature after the first few days after the real hot period.