Fermentation temp help.

[Lancer4200]

Hello I'm a first time brewer. I'm using a Niagara mist kit and I'm on the first stage of fermentation and my tempurature was a 60f. I used a heat belt and it went to 84f. I'm wondering if I wrecked this batch? The brew shop owner said I can keep the belt on the whole time. but I'm worried I'll wreck the batch and help would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance.

 

[RPh_Guy]

I'm sure someone more experienced will be along to offer help, but I would not ferment that hot. 60 seems a lot better than 84. In other words...
Take off that belt! Woot woot.

And let me welcome you to the forum!

 

[Lancer4200]

I'm sure someone more experienced will be along to offer help, but I would not ferment that hot. 60 seems a lot better than 84. In other words...
Take of that belt! Woot woot.

And let me welcome you to the forum!

Thank you for the response, removed the belt. the room temp right now is at 72. so i hope that's not to warm. I was thinking of moving it to the basement, but I don't know of i should move it at this stage. The instructions for this wine says 68-77. It's like a fruit wine similar to arbor mist.

 

[Sadu]

A heat belt isn't really a complete solution here. You really need a temperature controller to go with that heat belt, otherwise your brew is going to get too warm which seems to be what is happening.

My advice is to move it to the coldest part of the house/basement, get a temperature controller, set it to the recommended temperature for the yeast. That way the heat belt is only going to come on when it needs to, and you won't end up with situations where the yeast is 20 degrees hotter than the recommended temperature (and creating nasty off flavours as a result).

Temp controllers are super-cheap if you don't mind doing some wiring work (and have experience working with mains electricity or know someone who does). Or you can pay a bit more and get them pre-wired.

 

[Lancer4200]

A heat belt isn't really a complete solution here. You really need a temperature controller to go with that heat belt, otherwise your brew is going to get too warm which seems to be what is happening.

My advice is to move it to the coldest part of the house/basement, get a temperature controller, set it to the recommended temperature for the yeast. That way the heat belt is only going to come on when it needs to, and you won't end up with situations where the yeast is 20 degrees hotter than the recommended temperature (and creating nasty off flavours as a result).

Temp controllers are super-cheap if you don't mind doing some wiring work (and have experience working with mains electricity or know someone who does). Or you can pay a bit more and get them pre-wired.

Thanks for the reply, this morning the temperature is at 72 this morning. And the room is at 72 so I'm hoping that's good.

 

[probablynotnick]

Thanks for the reply, this morning the temperature is at 72 this morning. And the room is at 72 so I'm hoping that's good.

Throw it in your basement next time, especially as temps heat up for the summer. The activity of the yeast will heat the fermentation on its own. That belt heater will only be necessary when ambient temperatures are much too cold.

If you get truly bitten by the hobby (as all of us here hope you do!) then you can start thinking about temperature controllers and such for the future. Getting a few batches under your belt using the simplest of materials is both easy and wise to start.

Don't sweat your first batch. 84°F is pretty hot, but you'll have wine in the end.

Welcome and cheers!

 

[Lancer4200]

Throw it in your basement next time, especially as temps heat up for the summer. The activity of the yeast will heat the fermentation on its own. That belt heater will only be necessary when ambient temperatures are much too cold.

If you get truly bitten by the hobby (as all of us here hope you do!) then you can start thinking about temperature controllers and such for the future. Getting a few batches under your belt using the simplest of materials is both easy and wise to start.

Don't sweat your first batch. 84°F is pretty hot, but you'll have wine in the end.

Welcome and cheers!

Awesome thanks for your help. I have always wanted to start brewing it's very exciting. I will definitely move everything to the basement next batch.

 

[probablynotnick]

Also... if it doesn't turn out quite to your liking, make sangria with bunch of fruit, some liquor, and soda. Then throw a big ol' party!