Hello from South Florida! Fluctuating temps bad?

[cs89]

Hello all! I just started my third batch, a simple wheat ale so I can try my hand at making a shandy

I live in an apartment in South Florida so the notion of keeping my wort in a nice frigid 65*f is out of the question. Someone suggested I put my fermenting bucket in a tub of water with some frozen water bottles. I was wondering, would the constant changing of temp negatively effect my fermentation?

Thanks!

 

[NaymzJaymz]

I just posted a thread right before yours, my friend. I've been using a technique like you've described. I've been putting my carboys in an ice chest with frozen water bottle, and it seems to be working fine, but there is a minor fluctuation between 64 thru 68 degrees. Maybe that's my problem? It'll what people say about your question and mine. Cheers!

 

[jekeane]

Yeast produce byproducts and flavors based upon the temperature they are kept. So keeping yeast at a relatively stable temp in its ideal range will produce a better product. If you are spiking up to 75 from 65 you are likely stressing the yeast and will get off flavors.

 

[patthebrewer]

Greetings!

Yes constantly changing temps will affect the taste of your beer.

Yes it's going to be really expensive to cool your apartment to proper beer fermentation temps.


The good news is a college sized fridge or small chest freezer, and a temp controller (Johnson etc) will be MUCH cheaper to run, than your a/c unit. Not only that you'll be able to brew whatever style you'd like include lagers just as good as any of us Northerners

Troll the local classified, craigslist, or ebay . Often times you can find them REALLY cheap. Also don't discount bulk trash day, you'd be surprised what people will throw out, like working fridges and freezers, just because they don't want them anymore.

Good Luck

 

[cs89]

Thanks everyone for your replies! I enjoy the comradary we have on this site! I will definitely look into a small fridge for my up coming brews! Thanks again!