Cold crashing outside?

[Troutchaser]

So I have never cold crashed before because I do not have temp control but my garage is in the low 40 s at night and stays in the 50s in the day. Are these temp cold enough to effectively cold crash and if so how long should I leave it in the garage before I bottle?

 

[FirstAidBrewing]

The most often quoted temp I hear is 38* for a few days. I'm not sure the garage will be sufficient if the temps keep fluctuating into the 50s

 

[RuggerMatt]

Unfortunately there is too much fluctuation in temp. To cold crash, you really need to be under 40F (my opinion). If you don't have an extra fridge....the next best thing is fill a larger storage container with water and ice jugs, and place your fermenter in there (replacing jugs as needed). Just use a thermometer to monitor the water temp.

 

[Onkel_Udo]

So I have never cold crashed before because I do not have temp control but my garage is in the low 40 s at night and stays in the 50s in the day. Are these temp cold enough to effectively cold crash and if so how long should I leave it in the garage before I bottle?

Well obviously you need to move here...I can cold crash beer right to freezing on my enclosed front porch!

 

[Remmy]

I do this from time to time if I don't have room in my full-size beer/tap fridge. I leave the primary on my screened-in porch (no bugs get in, even if the temps go up into the 40s - I still see bugs at those temps during winter) and leave it there for 4-5 days so long as the temps don't drop below 20F for that duration. It works perfectly.

 

[Troutchaser]

Yeah I was thinking it was to warm. Damn these nice sunny days in NorCal!

 

[jahdub]

If that is all you've got, theres nothing wrong with "cold crashing" at 50F. Certainly more yeast will flocculate than at 68F.

 

[Bobcatbrewing42]

I think that cold crashing in the garage would be fine. If the temp fluctuates let the carboy chill all night uncovered during the coldest part of the day and wrap it up for daytime. That will at least average out the temperature. I cold crash in my garage in the summer (I live in the mountains) and it may only get into the 50's in the garage but I still seem to get good results. I do try to set the carboy where it will not be moved, even when I keg it, so as not to disturb yeast and other tiny particles.