Fermentation Temps Fluctuation?

[redneckbeagle]

Is it a problem if you Fermentation Temps Fluctuated by a couple degrees?

Thanks

redneckbeagle

 

[DeathBrewer]

couple of degrees? not really...5+ degrees continuously COULD result in off flavors and/or a stuck fermentation.

what kind of temps are we talking about here?

 

[redneckbeagle]

doing a dunkelweizen and wanting to keep the temps around 71 to 74 degrees. The yeast calls for a temp range of 59 - 75 degrees.

Any recommendations?

 

[bradsul]

Are you measuring the air temperature or the beer temperature? The latter is the important value. As the air temperature fluctuates during the day the beer temperature moves much less. It is also always warmer than the air temp (at least when fermentation is active) by at least a few degrees.

 

[redneckbeagle]

Air Temperature. Doesn't it get to the same at some point in time?

 

[bradsul]

It will equalize once fermentation is complete, but at that point it's too late to fix. Fermentation generates heat, I've had beer 6-7F higher than ambient before. If you don't have any, pick up one of those stick-on thermometers for your fermenters and you'll be able to better keep track.