Fermentation temperature control

[herminatorr7]

Hi!

I've been using malt extracts for home brewing for about two years now. I decided that it's time to step up my game and make better beer. So I made a decision to buy Grainfather now when they have black friday sale. But I'm also thinking about buying a new fermentor. I'm definitely buying stainless steel, but I don't know wheather it is smart to buy the one with temperature control or not. If I buy one with temperature control it will cost additional 500 € but that is an investment I'm willing to make if it will make a significant difference in beer quality. So my question is, in your experience, how important is to ferment at constant temperature?

Thanks!

 

[STMF]

Imho stabel temperature is pretty important, more imporant than the exact temperature.

That said, while a fermenter with built in temp control is nice, there are cheaper way to achieve it. Swamp cooler, small fridge, cheaper gadgets etc. But ofcourse a fermenter with a built in temp control system is a fun and nice gadget

 

[jlinz]

Control of fermentation and mash temps made my beer worlds better.

 

[escalante88]

There are much less expensive options. I did the following:

1. Craigslist fridge - rebuilt inside
2. Inkbird itc-308 (amazon) for $35
3. Fermentation temp control is critical

 

[ESBrewer]

After reading all kinds of tests and expert advice on fermentation temp, I think it depends on he beer and especially the yeast strain. Sometimes it would be easy to spot the difference in temperature and sometimes it is impossible. It's goog to have, but whether or not you should spend 500 bucks is up to you. As STMF said, there are many ways to do it if you are a DIY man/woman.

 

[jlinz]

There are much less expensive options. I did the following:

1. Craigslist fridge - rebuilt inside
2. Inkbird itc-308 (amazon) for $35
3. Fermentation temp control is critical

Exactly what I did as well. All told cost me about 60 bucks.

 

[RM-MN]

Your intended purchase will make good beer but my solution will make just as good of beer at a fraction of the cost and the difference in the cost will buy me a lot of ingredients.

 

[herminatorr7]

Thank you all!

I'll follow your advice and try to buy old fridge and rebuilt it. But I still plan to buy Grainfather's stainless steel fermentor for 110 €.