Fermentation temperature

[BraumeisterDan]

I have the thermostat switch set for 17-19 degrees on my brew fridge and this is perfect for keeping my brew fermentation below undesirable temperatures. However, as winter takes hold I have noticed the temperature inside the fridge has dropped to 10 overnight. I am currently brewing a Coopers Australian Pale Ale, will these dips in temperature cause problems for the kit yeast?

 

[PADave]

Yes, most likely 10 degrees is going to stall the yeast. That is really low for any Ale yeast. You need to get a heat source in there. Or if your home temp is cool enough, just ferment outside of the fridge.

 

[BraumeisterDan]

Yes, most likely 10 degrees is going to stall the yeast. That is really low for any Ale yeast. You need to get a heat source in there. Or if your home temp is cool enough, just ferment outside of the fridge.

Thanks I'll look into that.

 

[madscientist451]

Switch to brewing lagers in the winter!

Does your thermostat measure the air in the fridge? Try getting a big jug of water and putting the thermostat probe in that. The temperature swings inside the actual fermenter might not be that bad. Is the yeast still chugging away?

 

[RM-MN]

I have the thermostat switch set for 17-19 degrees on my brew fridge and this is perfect for keeping my brew fermentation below undesirable temperatures. However, as winter takes hold I have noticed the temperature inside the fridge has dropped to 10 overnight. I am currently brewing a Coopers Australian Pale Ale, will these dips in temperature cause problems for the kit yeast?

Put a temperature controller on that fridge so you control the temperature of the fermenting beer instead of the temperature of the air inside the fridge. Without a controller your beer temperature can be anywhere.

 

[BraumeisterDan]

Switch to brewing lagers in the winter!

Does your thermostat measure the air in the fridge? Try getting a big jug of water and putting the thermostat probe in that. The temperature swings inside the actual fermenter might not be that bad. Is the yeast still chugging away?

Yes the temperature probe is in the air in the fridge. I'll try putting it in a jug of water. Cheers.

 

[BraumeisterDan]

Put a temperature controller on that fridge so you control the temperature of the fermenting beer instead of the temperature of the air inside the fridge. Without a controller your beer temperature can be anywhere.

Ok, I'll look at getting a better reading on the fermenter temperature as opposed to the air inside the fridge. Cheers.

 

[RM-MN]

Yes the temperature probe is in the air in the fridge. I'll try putting it in a jug of water. Cheers.

Your beer is fermenting and the yeast are giving off heat. Putting the probe in a jug of water does not take this heat created into account. You want to measure the temperature of the fermenting beer.

 

[BraumeisterDan]

Your beer is fermenting and the yeast are giving off heat. Putting the probe in a jug of water does not take this heat created into account. You want to measure the temperature of the fermenting beer.

So should I tape the temp probe to the side of the fermenter with some insulation over it?

 

[tieflyer]

Yes, everything I have seen is to put the probe on the side of the fermenter and then cover it with bubble wrap so that you get fermenter temp and not the air temp.

 

[rossscottnz]

alternatively you could buy a 15 inch thermowell and install that into the lid of your fermenter along with an airlock grommet to go in the hole you just drilled and put your temp sensor into that to get actual readings of your beer temp.

 

[BraumeisterDan]

Yes, everything I have seen is to put the probe on the side of the fermenter and then cover it with bubble wrap so that you get fermenter temp and not the air temp.

Cheers, I'll try that.

 

[kh54s10]

I would be careful about putting the probe directly in liquid. I have heard that some will leak destroying the sensor in the probe. I finally got a thermowell. So much easier than taping the probe to the outside of the fermenter vessel.