fluctuating temperatures during fermentation

[HomelessWook]

i have my true brew amber ale fermenting in a closet in my kitchen - it is supposed to ferment between 60-75 degrees - the coldest its been is like 62 and the warmest its been is about 72 -

was wondering if these fluctuating temperatures (out of my control because the closet is drafty and near a window) would effect my out come even if doesnt drop bellow 60 or rise above 75...

 

[FoeKillerCreek]

As long as you are in the range consistently , I think you are alright.

CB.

 

[Yooper]

Probably not. Remember, the temperature you're looking at isn't the room temperature, it's the fermentation temperature of the beer. It takes a long time for 5 gallons of liquid to change temperatures!

I'd recommend buying a cheap "stick on" thermometer at a brew store, or get an aquarium stick on thermometer so you can see the temperature. Anything over about 70 is too warm for most yeast strains.

 

[HomelessWook]

i have a stick on thermometer on my bucket - i think you are right though about the liquid temp.not changing too much its just the thermometer keeps reading differently do to drafts and then being heated up.

 

[Yooper]

i have a stick on thermometer on my bucket - i think you are right though about the liquid temp.not changing too much its just the thermometer keeps reading differently do to drafts and then being heated up.

Hmmm. My stick on thermometer doesn't change with room temperature. Maybe turn it away from the drafts, so you can see the temperature of the beer?

 

[HomelessWook]

one thing is for sure.....

I'm investing in a mini fridge that can fit my fermenting bucket in it before next brew

 

[boredatwork]

The problem with fluctuating temperatures is that yeast will produce different by-products at different temperatures. Ideally those by-products will be consumed by the yeast as they "clean up" after themselves. But, depending on the temperature at certain phases of fermentation, the yeast may not be able to go into the cleanup mode - potentially resulting in off flavors. This is why it is better to have consistent temperatures (more important than any single constant temp).

So I think the answer is that if your temperatures are all over the place, you could end up with some off-flavors in your beer.

And in my experience the mini fridge is definitely the way to go. Finding the right size...that is the tricky part.