Brewtech fermenter bucket w/FTS controller

[Morrey]

I currently use a 5 cu ft chest freezer with ATC to control fermentation temps, cold crash, carb and lager. As used, this small unit limits me to 5G batches plus it stays tied up all the time. I would like to be producing more than one beer at a time.

A friend is getting out of the brewing hobby and I am buying his gear which includes a Brewtech Fermenter bucket with the FTS controller. This unit is all new to me so I'll look for the most economical way to get this going into the summer months. My brew cave is sheltered/shaded but ambient temps in SC are warm. I think I'll get a cooler and run cooling lines into it with frozen ice water bottles. In the winter maybe an aquarium heater to warm the water. Question: If anyone is running their system like this, what is the demand on ice? I know there are tons of variables such as cooler quality and volume, ambient temps, etc. Any advice is helpful.

I did look at the compatible glycol cooler but that's a cool grand more. Don't want to go that route just yet.

 

[rivalry15]

You could get an aquarium chiller to run to the cooler which would keep the chill water at a temp that would work. I will be going this route in the fall.

 

[Morrey]

You could get an aquarium chiller to run to the cooler which would keep the chill water at a temp that would work. I will be going this route in the fall.

Interesting. Do you have any product links? Would this chiller also heat?

 

[Morrey]

I am just worried about this system eating me out of house and home with the fresh ice demand.

 

[jabba11]

I use frozen water bottles and a cooler as a reservoir. I usually keep the room (its a room about 10x8) temp controlled with a small oil filled heater in the winter and so never use an aquarium heater. I keep the room at a temp known to produce my ferment temps then keep some ice in it to keep it cool during ferment. I use 2 liter bottles and change them twice a day usually during the first 3 days or some then maybe once a day then not at all during the winter. In the summer I have to keep the bottles changed maybe once a day or every other day. When I go away I simply dump several bottles in. Make sure you insulate the water lines etc. Anything you can do to keep things cool helps.

 

[Morrey]

I use frozen water bottles and a cooler as a reservoir. I usually keep the room (its a room about 10x8) temp controlled with a small oil filled heater in the winter and so never use an aquarium heater. I keep the room at a temp known to produce my ferment temps then keep some ice in it to keep it cool during ferment. I use 2 liter bottles and change them twice a day usually during the first 3 days or some then maybe once a day then not at all during the winter. In the summer I have to keep the bottles changed maybe once a day or every other day. When I go away I simply dump several bottles in. Make sure you insulate the water lines etc. Anything you can do to keep things cool helps.

Your insulate the lines tip is a good suggestion. If I have the insulated fermenter in an 80F room, ferment at 65F and change 2 liter frozen bottles once a day, I'll be good to go.