Brew fridge setup and fermenting temperatures

[lms94]

Guys,

I'm sorry if this has been asked previously, I can't find a definate answer...

I currently have a larder brew fridge setup with the usual stuff (ink bird temp controller, tube heater etc...).

I know that the temperatures suggested on the kits suggest 20 - 25 degrees ambient, so my question is:

If the suggested fermentation temp is 20 - 25 degrees, what temperature do I need to set the inkbird to (taking into account the extra heat generated by the yeast)?

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

I haven't used a kit in a long time but I would think the temp on the directions is for the liquid temp not the ambient.
The probe gets taped, bungee cord whatever behind some insulation on the primary to read the liquid temp. If your using buckets get a $12 thermowell that goes in the bucket...way easier than dealing with bungee cords and no wondering if air is getting behind the insulation and throwing off the reading. Set the controller to 20-25 and that's it.

So in short you set it to what it calls for while reading the liquid temp...you never read ambient and adjust for heat

What yeast are you using?

 

[lms94]

Am I able to get a thermowell that will fit into a 5 gal bucket?

I've haven't noted the yeast type but I will take a look once I get home!

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

Am I able to get a thermowell that will fit into a 5 gal bucket?

Yes just get this. It slides into the same stopper the airlock uses.. Just drill a hole in the bucket lid for the stopper....simple
https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...2.html&usg=AFQjCNElvDhJxNbtoLDziqCoyQPmimDI1g

 

[RM-MN]

Am I able to get a thermowell that will fit into a 5 gal bucket?

I've haven't noted the yeast type but I will take a look once I get home!

Don't worry about a thermowell. Duct tape the insulation over the probe on the outside of the bucket.

 

[balrog]

Don't worry about a thermowell. Duct tape the insulation over the probe on the outside of the bucket.

+1. Outside the bucket, middle of the liquid height, and cover it (wadded up shirt, bubble wrap, small dead furry woodland critter) to keep the heat/cool from directly reaching the sensor so that you measure the fermentor wall temp.

 

[JONNYROTTEN]

This is one of those "it works for me so do it this way" things...They both work..I tried the straps and found it a pain... For me the thermowell is far better....to each there own

 

[Vedexent]

I've got an Inkbird sensor taped under mutliple layers of paper towel, to the outside of a 3.5 gallon HDPE 2 food grade bucket that I'm using as primary fermenter (2.5 gallon batch), and it seems to have worked great holding it between 17.5C - 18.5C ( ideal range for the yeast I'm using - YMMV ) .

A rubber stopper with dual thermowell/airlock holes might be a better fit if you're using a fermwrap style carboy heater - but as you're using a fridge/chamber, either approach should work for you (and paper towels are cheaper than a thermowell).

I'm using a seedling mat as a heat source, so an outside insulated sensor works fine for me.