Hello from Hot North Florida!

[Tdthrows]

Hey everyone! Just brewed my first batch on Monday and everything went smoothly for the most part. Had a few siphoning and filtering complications but got through them hopefully without contaminating my wort.

I have enjoyed reading tons of threads over the last few days and look forward to much more!

 

[JBrady]

congrats, what part of florida are you from? Panama City here.

 

[Richabt]

I can't believe we are already getting close to 90 degree temps.

 

[Tdthrows]

I live in Tallahassee. Its getting so hot! It seems like we skipped Spring this year and went straight to HOT! I've been contemplating different options for temperature control during fermentation. Right now the temp in my carboy is 78, which I know is hi. What do ya'll do to keep your temps down?

 

[jmbingham3]

welcome from st.pete , new member myself just brewed first batch over the weekend,
been on nights for almot a year now walked outside last week at bout noon had realised how hot it had become, at least i have a nice sea breeze with a hint of petro

 

[JBrady]

just do what i do a brew alot of belgian beers that you can afford to ferment at 75 degrees, lol!! I'm planning on trying a #2 washtub on my next brew with frozen 2 liter bottles changed out once or so a day. I only really need to control the temp for about 3 or so days, after fermentation slows my A/C has the capability to keep my beer around 68. Hopefully that will work for our hot NW FL summer.

 

[passedpawn]

What do ya'll do to keep your temps down?

chest freezer with external temp regulator.

 

[JBrady]

chest freezer with external temp regulator.

Damn I remember the good ole days when i had one of those, makes life alot easier and gives you the ability to keg.

 

[JBrady]

I live in Tallahassee.

Theres a decent sized brew club in tallahassee you might want to check out, i can't remember the address but just google Tallahasse Hombrew club. I wish I was close enough to join

 

[mullenite]

Welcome from Gainesville.

 

[cimirie]

I live in Orlando, but I actually spent the past few days in Orlando. Swamp coolers mixed with a window AC unit helps the fermentation temps. Welcome to the board!

 

[tallybrewer]

The brew club is North Florida Brewer's League. Meeting tonight at Beef O'Brady's on Thomasville at 7:30. See you there!

http://www.nfbl.org/nfbl/index.php
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=142532949192&ref=ts

 

[JBrady]

The brew club is North Florida Brewer's League. Meeting tonight at Beef O'Brady's on Thomasville at 7:30. See you there!

http://www.nfbl.org/nfbl/index.php
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=142532949192&ref=ts

I wish I could join, but panama city at 2 hours away is just a little too far.

 

[SwampassJ]

I live in Tallahassee. Its getting so hot! It seems like we skipped Spring this year and went straight to HOT! I've been contemplating different options for temperature control during fermentation. Right now the temp in my carboy is 78, which I know is hi. What do ya'll do to keep your temps down?

Welcome from Southern FL (Between West Palm and Ft. Lauderdale). To keep my stuff cool I stick them in a 60qt wheeled igloo cooler, fill with water and rotate in frozen 1/2 gallon bottles of water. Then I cover it with two beach towels since its too tall to use the lid.

 

[Tdthrows]

Thanks for the advice! A cooler on wheels sounds like a good way to go. I'll have to pick one up!

Tallybrewer - Thanks for letting me know about the club and meeting. I checked out the website and it looks great! I cant make the meeting tonight but I will definitely see you at the next one!

Btw, whats the Fermentation Lounge? Is that a bar in Tally?

 

[passedpawn]

Thanks for the advice! A cooler on wheels sounds like a good way to go. I'll have to pick one up!

Tallybrewer - Thanks for letting me know about the club and meeting. I checked out the website and it looks great! I cant make the meeting tonight but I will definitely see you at the next one!

Btw, whats the Fermentation Lounge? Is that a bar in Tally?

Or you could get a 5 or 7 cu.ft. chest freezer for $50 off craigslist. Bit easier IMO.

 

[John Beere]

Welcome from Valdosta! I need to get down that way soon for some supplies..

 

[DragonTail]

Welcome

 

[Richabt]

If you check my pictures on my profile you can see more. It's big enough to fit a bucket or carboy. I just add about 2 frozen gatorade bottles and change them out about every two days. I can keep temps in the 68 to 70 range.

I also cheat and use a 5 cu ft freezer with a temp controller occasionally.

Don't know if you made it to the NFBL meeting, but highly recommend it.

 

[tallybrewer]

Yeah, the Fermentation lounge is a local pub that serves craft beers. Limited seating, off the beaten path, but a laid back place to enjoy some great beers.

http://www.fermentationlounge.com/

 

[Tdthrows]

Richabt - Nice ghetto fermentation chamber! What material is that? It looks like 3 layers of some kind of insulation. Stuff I assume I could pick up at Home Depot or Lowes? Also, do you just lay your gatoraide bottles on top of the carboy?

I couldnt make it to the NFBL meeting last night but I really hope to go next month!

 

[Richabt]

It's called reflectex insulation. Like bubble wrap but a little more rigid.

It's mostly just one layer, but I doubled it up on the edges for strengh.
A pair of scissors, hot glue gun and about 15 minutes was all it took. I made two of them. I used the bottom of the blue bucket to set the diameter. The bucket also keeps any condensation off your floor.

Lowes or Home Depot carry the Reflectex.

I put the frozen bottles at the bottom (just enough room). I will sometimes put a small battery operated fan in there to circulate the air, but that may be overkill.