FastFerment Conical Fermenter -- Temp Control

[TylerPrime]

Hey All,

So I just pitched a cream ale last night in my Conical, and I just realized that it might be too cold for reliable fermentation. While fermentation has already begun, I was wondering if anyone would recommend temperature control for the remainder of the fermentation process?

I live in Southern California, so the high's are currently in the mid 60s, with the low's in the mid 40s. Obviously, during the day, the temperature is perfect, but I think the temperature at night is a bit too low.

I currently have a blanket wrapped around the fermenter in my closet, but I doubt it's enough. Will the low temperature impose bad flavors on my brew? If so, what type of temp control would you recommend for me to increase the temp on the plastic fermenter?

Thanks

 

[VTX1300]

Before I built a fermentation chamber out of a small freezer I used a heating pad taped to the fermenter and controlled it with an Inkbird controller. Just keep the pad on it's lowest setting. The size and shape of the FastFerment make temp control a challenge.

 

[NeverDie]

I have the same general question as the OP. The conical shape makes it challenging.

Maybe wrap it with heat tape or maybe a warming pad and use the inkbird (or some kind of PID) to modulate the electricity to the maintain the target temperature?

 

[VTX1300]

I tried heat tape but couldn't keep it in place. I did have luck with a heat pad, the kind you use for a sore back, and held it in place with plenty of packing tape with a blanket for insulation. That seemed to be the only thing that would stick to the plastic. I used an Inkbird controller with the pad set at its lowest setting and it held temp well. I had this in my basement, in February, in Pennsylvania so it was a little too cold without some sort of heat. I have since converted a small chest freezer into a fermentation chamber and still use the same Inkbird controller. As for getting a full FastFerment out of that fermentation chamber, that took some thought.

 

[NeverDie]

OK, I think I may have the answer: infrared heat lamps. Then the conical shape doesn't really matter much. Use that with an inkbird or PID to regulate the infrared lamps. Yes?

 

[Jtvann]

Cheap plastic heating pads taped to the fermenter work great, along with the mentioned ink bird to turn on or off.

https://www.morebeer.com/products/fermwrap-heater.html

Best results were from a brew jacket heating or cooling. They're expensive though and customer service is as bad as it comes.