Brewing in Hot Climates

[BigFloyd]

https://www.cool-brewing.com

If space is very limited, those are something to consider, but w/ shipping they're not cheap.

For about the same money or close to it, you can have a full-blown, digitally-controlled fermenter chamber.

 

[capt82]

I live in Southern California. It gets hot too. Do a google search on a "Son of a Fermentation Chiller". I built mine for about $50. I also enjoyed the project as well. I keep mine in my house. It can keep temp about 15-20 degrees cooler than outside temp. It also keeps fermenter in the dark and away from curious hands. Cost nearly nothing to run. Just need to rotate frozen 1 gallon milk containers. The more you rotate, the colder the temp you can maintain. I plan to make some lagers this summer in mine. It can hold up to a 6 1/2 gallon carboy very nice. The carboy pictured is a three gallon. No regrets on my solution.

The plans I found utilize 1 sheet of 2" foam board from HD, construction adhesive, computer fan, and thermostat.



Sent from my iPad using Home Brew

 

[HefeHood]

I have 2 of these that I use almost year around... https://www.cool-brewing.com/
I swap out 2 quart bottles twice a day and can keep 6 gallons down to 65 in a 77-78 house.

Southern AZ brewer here. Used to keep a wet towel over the carboy when I fermented. Did OK. Wanted a better process. Got a cool brewing bag for Xmas. Love it! swap out 2-3 frozen 2L soda bottles mornings\night when fermentation is at its highest, then one or two. House is generally 78-80. When I am done it folds up and away. Someday the ferm chamber, for now its the :bag". Biggest challenge now is fast wort cooling. Use a ice bath with pump to get the final few degrees.

 

[Keith_O]

Many Thanks guys!

 

[WileECoyote]

For those of us who live where it is only 10 degrees cooler than Hell, any tips or suggestions?
Yes, I do have central heat and air, but I am also a cheap-ass who usually keeps the house about 80+/- in the summer... not optimal fermenting temps....
:cross:

I live where its only 10 deg cooler then hell too, and Im also tight with a buck.

This link might help.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/Temp-controlled-Brew-Room-Vs-a-5-cubic-foot-fermentation-chamber.html

Cheers

 

[Keith_O]

Dude, that is really awesome.
We just had a baby, and don't really have a room I can do permanently. My son lives with his mother, and they moved to Utah, so he doesn't visit as often as before, so his room has become the storage room. Supplies, Buckets, empty cases of bottles etc...
My wife is very supportive of my new hobby as well...

 

[Paradigm]

I lucked out and got a 11 cu ft chest freezer for $75. Got a $15 temperature controller off amazon, plugged the freezer into the controller and dangled the probe inside. Set it 17C, if it goes below a 0.3C range it turns off. Works like a charm. Add a $30 heating pad to the side of it and you have a working ferm chamber for cheap.

 

[rodwha]

What is the heater for? I keep reading of heaters being placed in these.

 

[WileECoyote]

Dude, that is really awesome.
We just had a baby, and don't really have a room I can do permanently. My son lives with his mother, and they moved to Utah, so he doesn't visit as often as before, so his room has become the storage room. Supplies, Buckets, empty cases of bottles etc...
My wife is very supportive of my new hobby as well...

Thanks, and Congrats on the baby !

And supportive wife's are the absolute best, Im lucky enough to have one too!

Cheers

 

[WileECoyote]

What is the heater for? I keep reading of heaters being placed in these.

the heater is for if it gets to cold in it, it will kick on and warm it to the proper temp and shut off, just like the cooling.

Cheers

 

[Keith_O]

Yeah, She was asking when the spare bathroom/bathtub might be available for guests so she can schedule them in.... and she was laughing about it! I said give me some time to get a keezer set up. I explained what I needed and approx cost, and she was like, is that all?
Think I might get some stuff for fathers day... lol

 

[Avocado_Power]

I lucked out and got a 11 cu ft chest freezer for $75. Got a $15 temperature controller off amazon, plugged the freezer into the controller and dangled the probe inside. Set it 17C, if it goes below a 0.3C range it turns off. Works like a charm. Add a $30 heating pad to the side of it and you have a working ferm chamber for cheap.

THIS looks like a great solution for me, as I just moved to the Philippines and it's never cooler than 80 degrees. Saisons work for the moment, but would like to rig this set-up to play with other styles. Only problem? Everything I find online works for 120 Voltage, not 240v. I am not electrically-inclined...has anyone found a "plug and play" 240v temperature controller that I could use to plug into either a fridge or freezer over here?

Thanks!

 

[Paradigm]

THIS looks like a great solution for me, as I just moved to the Philippines and it's never cooler than 80 degrees. Saisons work for the moment, but would like to rig this set-up to play with other styles. Only problem? Everything I find online works for 120 Voltage, not 240v. I am not electrically-inclined...has anyone found a "plug and play" 240v temperature controller that I could use to plug into either a fridge or freezer over here?

Thanks!

While you're at it, if you plan on using the chest freezer for ales you'll want one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H0XFD2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

they're cheap and work like a charm. I can't count the number of times I've needed to clean mold out of mine before I bought one. Remember, we're setting ideal growth conditions for bacteria as well as yeast xD

 

[HB_in_Subic]

While you're at it, if you plan on using the chest freezer for ales you'll want one of these:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H0XFD2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

they're cheap and work like a charm. I can't count the number of times I've needed to clean mold out of mine before I bought one. Remember, we're setting ideal growth conditions for bacteria as well as yeast xD

Great idea!

I have been fighting the mold over the last few months, constant wipe down of moisture, and cups of rice to absorb. Are you able to refill these units?

 

[Paradigm]

Great idea!

I have been fighting the mold over the last few months, constant wipe down of moisture, and cups of rice to absorb. Are you able to refill these units?

No need, they don't need refilling! Once the beads change color plug it in for a couple hours in a well ventilated area and a heating coil inside of it warms the beads up and the water evaporates out! I say well ventilated so you don't over-humidify the area, it's not noxious or anything.