Garage fermentation temp control

[kh54s10]

Not sure yet, I was going to cross that bridge when I got to it

For the colder part of the year you can use ambient if it is below your fermentation temperature and use heat to control it. In the summer you can close the door and use the fridge/freezer. In your un-heated garage, during part of the year you will probably want both cooling and heating.

 

[eric19312]

For the colder part of the year you can use ambient if it is below your fermentation temperature and use heat to control it. In the summer you can close the door and use the fridge/freezer. In your un-heated garage, during part of the year you will probably want both cooling and heating.

exactly

 

[yowzers]

You can use a fermwrap with an inkbird controller for heating in the winter. Wrap your fermenter with some sort of insulation. You can use a system like this to cool in the summer months and all is fairly inexpensive and does not take up much space. https://www.ballandkeg.com/temperature-control-loop.php or https://www.anvilbrewing.com/-p/anv-cs-7.5gal.htm

 

[abbysdad2006]

What's a good size mini fridge to get for glass carboys?

 

[abbysdad2006]

Ok, so I'm getting this unit from a friend of mine, it works, I know, I've used it. It has a Inkbird controller, which has a plug for heating and cooling, along with it. It holds up to 3 kegs and a Co2 tank. Up to this point, it's only been used for a keezer. My question is, what do I use for the heating part of the fermentation process?

 

[Jag75]

A fermwrap. Things are great .

 

[SEndorf]

For something that size, I agree with the fermwrap.
My fermentation fridge has a bit more interior space, so I use a tiny personal space heater

 

[firerat]

Could you use a reptile heating pad? Maybe not if it gets really cold.

I'm curious as I live in Florida and have never had to heat for brewing but I've used freezers as incubators for mushroom mycelium.

You could make a heat bomb.

Basically take a submersible aquarium heater (like $10 on amazon) and insert it in a bottle of water. Seal it up. Works really good in small spaces. Not sure how well it would work in freezing temps though.

 

[Bigdaddyale]

 

[bleme]

I use a seed heating mat, bungie-corded around my fermentor.
https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01E9IO87O/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[abbysdad2006]

View attachment 646624 A fermwrap. Things are great .

What's the sponge for?
And the ferwrap would be ok out i the garage? 'm assuming to the freezer I can set to off, being cold out and only needing heat?
Oh, and I'm looking inot getting one of those Tilt things as well.

 

[Jag75]

What's the sponge for?
And the ferwrap would be ok out i the garage? 'm assuming to the freezer I can set to off, being cold out and only needing heat?

Sponge is to keep the temp probe insulated from the air inside the chest freezer . Yes if you dont need to cool the beer just keep warm a fermwrap with an inkbird is all you need . Keeping a sponge on the probe keeps the desired temp more stable imo.

 

[tellyho]

Pipe insulation + reptile tank heater + temperature controller. Lots of insulation.

 

[abbysdad2006]

Sponge is to keep the temp probe insulated from the air inside the chest freezer . Yes if you dont need to cool the beer just keep warm a fermwrap with an inkbird is all you need . Keeping a sponge on the probe keeps the desired temp more stable imo.

Ah, ok, makes sense. I'm hoping the cold air from the garage won't interfere too much with the temp inside the keezer.

 

[abbysdad2006]

Ok, so, update. Moved into a new house and have a huge basement. Still thinking of building an insulated box to house either the Fast ferment conical or carboys and using a heat mat to heat the inside of the box. Now my question is, can I just put a heat mat in the box, close the door or lid and leave it next to the conical or carboy without it being attached to it? Has anyone tried this method? I'd have a temp controller also.

 

[Witherby]

Ok, so, update. Moved into a new house and have a huge basement. Still thinking of building an insulated box to house either the Fast ferment conical or carboys and using a heat mat to heat the inside of the box. Now my question is, can I just put a heat mat in the box, close the door or lid and leave it next to the conical or carboy without it being attached to it? Has anyone tried this method? I'd have a temp controller also.

I use this heat mat in my chest freezer. It is attached to the back wall of the freezer and heats the space rather than being in contact with my fermenters. Works well but seems to use a fair amount of electricity.

https://www.williamsbrewing.com/Hom...Temperature-Control/Brewers-Edge-Space-Heater

 

[Chorgey]

Now my question is, can I just put a heat mat in the box, close the door or lid and leave it next to the conical or carboy without it being attached to it? Has anyone tried this method? I'd have a temp controller also.

Like @Witherby, I have the heat mat taped to the back wall of my 'fermentation chamber', which is a chest freezer and not around the vessel. Works great!

 

[bleme]

Mine doesn't use much electricity but it's only good for about 20F. If I need more than that, I toss in a wad of Christmas lights. I just hate doing that because they aren't waterproof, although they do have their own inline fuse...