Ferm Chamber Build

[SeeMont]

Sparty: Thanks so much for doing this. I wish I had this before I did my build. If anyone is planing on doing this, it is pretty cool to be able brew and control the temp. I currently have two kegs under CO2 pressure and chilling them down. This really is allowing me to be more creative and productive.
I don't know what your chamber ended up costing you, I have about $60.00 in mine butI got the frig for free.

 

[GoodDogShelby]

Nice build. I just finished something similar. One thing I did differently was to wire the computer fan to be on all the time. I figured it would help keep the temp more consistent in the chamber.

 

[NautiDogBrewingCo.]

I appreciate the kind words. The chamber is working very well. I have it up to 68*F for a Pale Ale right now and it's bubbling like crazy.

The fan can be used in conjunction with the heat cycle or the cooling cycle. Right now, I have it set up to run when the heat lamp runs because the ambient temp in the basement does not need the chamber to be cooled at all, only heated. I don't even know if I will ever need it to be cooled, unless I try to get it to lager temps.

I would venture to say that I've put about $85 into the chamber. $65 for insulation and foil tape, $10 for the fridge, $10 for calk/silicone/screws. I had all of the wood around the house.

 

[skunkfunk]

Spartybrews, where did you put the temp probe?

 

[NautiDogBrewingCo.]

Spartybrews, where did you put the temp probe?

The temp probe is in a small glass vial of water at the bottom of the chamber, against the back wall.

I did not want to insulate and tape it to the fermentor because I wanted the freedom to move them in and out or from side to side without worrying about the probe.

 

[skunkfunk]

The temp probe is in a small glass vial of water at the bottom of the chamber, against the back wall.

I did not want to insulate and tape it to the fermentor because I wanted the freedom to move them in and out or from side to side without worrying about the probe.

How do you account for the actual temperature of the fermenters during fermentation with this method?

I just wired up my own chamber with the stc-1000, but I have not yet used it. The only remaining issue is what to do about the probe.

 

[NautiDogBrewingCo.]

I have fermometors on the side of all the fermentors I use. I have been setting the chamber temp about 2*F below the desired fermentation temp, given that the work of fermentation adds about 2*F. So if chamber temp is 68 then Ferm temp should be 70.

I put the probe in water because this helps keep it stable. It fluctuates less in water than it would in air.

 

[millsbrew]

Where do you keep your probe? I'm at a loss since I have 2 buckets going at the same time. Same yeast temp profiles. I just think attaching it to 1 of the carboys would not be accurate. I use a cup of water at this point. Thanks.


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[NautiDogBrewingCo.]

I have a flask like vial that sits below the heating lamp on the floor. The probe is fed the a small hole in the cap of the vial.

 

[sar_dog_1]

Looks great man! I saw that it fits 2 carboys and a keg. Is that the same space as two buckets? I assume it is just wanted to make sure sinse I have never seen a carboy. Noob...lol. also, do you use the floor space inside the fridge?
I am asking cause I think I am gonna try this one soon.

Again great job!!

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[NautiDogBrewingCo.]

Update on the chamber, I've been using it for cold crashing and chilling bottles over the past few days. The fridge fan combo keeps the temp at about 39*F without an issue.

I can fit 2 carboys/buckets and bottles if I utilize the floor space of the fridge. It's tall enough for 5 gal ball lock kegs, too.

I am very happy with it and would recommend to anyone that wants a ferm chamber to go for it. You'll love it's flexibility.