Bathroom fermentation

[sgraham602]

So I currently ferment in my bathroom in my basement office..it never gets used as a bathroom, because it's full of carboys and cases of bottles. Now that it's getting cold out SWMBO insists on turning the heat up, which makes my fermentation area 72+. I'm thinking about picking up a portable air conditioner and sticking it in there. I have a found a few for cheap on c-list. I figure this might do the trick if I put some insulation on the door. I'll only be cooling the air down from 72 to 65ish. Does this sound do-able?

And before someone says it...if I had the space I would totally get a chest freezer with a temp controller, but I've already got one for my kegerator and I have nowhere to put another one.

 

[MultumInParvo]

certainly doable. Although I would experiment with something that can ferment higher. Like a nice Belgian.. just food for thought...

 

[user 19629]

no way to just close the heating vents or turn of the radiators in the bathroom?

 

[meat803]

My bathroom that I ferment in stays around 70ish. This will make my fermentation at about 72-73. Same situation as you.

I get my carboys to drop about 4-5 degrees by putting an old T-shirt over the carboy and keeping it wet by dumping a couple cups of water on it twice a day. Keeps fermentation temp at around 67-68.

You can also stick some ice cubes around the neck of the wet t-shirt. Pile em on and they will melt and keep the shirt supplied with cold water for a few hours. I thought about getting one of those bunt cake pans and freezing water in it. Then slipping the ice ring around of the neck of the carboy. This would keep a constant supply of cold water for the shirt.

Anyways, one time I made a stout in the middle of summer. Temp in room was about 72. I put a wet tshirt on the bucked and would pile ice on top of the bucket twice a day. The thing got so cold I put the yeast into hibernation. I would say the temp got to about 55-58.

You can also add a small fan if there is no air flow in the area for added effect. But be advised that the water will evaporate a lot faster. Also humidity has an affect on the efficiency of using this method. High humidity will hinder the cooling effect.

For me, I just use an old T-shirt and drop a couple glasses of water on it. Carboys are in the bathtub so any excess water just drains away.

 

[Darwin18]

The wet wicking tshirt will work but if you want to improve your beer and make it more consistent, you will need to invest in better temperature control. If you can afford it, pick up a used fridge or a chest freezer. Best investment I've made for brewing and good deals this time of year.

 

[sgraham602]

I would get another chest freezer, but I have no room for one. I've done the wet shirt deal, but it's not practical for someone who isn't home all the time. I'm trying to figure out something that would be accurate and not be high maintenance.

 

[Psych]

Yeah shut the vent for that room, that should drop it however much you need!

 

[1Mainebrew]

I agree with the Belgian idea! Stock up on some summer saisons and some witbiers with young drinkability, those yeasts are happy at >70. Then harvest some saison yeast and brew a big tripel! That could be wicked fun! (yeah I'm from Maine)

 

[Clementine]

Forgive me if I'm wrong but isn't the point of a swamp cooler to fill a bucket (or bath) with water and the t-shirt wicks the water up on to the carboy and the fan evaporates the water giving the cooling effect? So as long as your bathtub holds water you should be good.

Clem