Inkbird settings in fermentation chamber

[seafordbrewingcompany]

I need some help setting up my Inkbird ITC-308s in my fermentation chamber.
I will be using a newly purchased Idylis 7.1 cu/ft chest freezer from Lowes as my fermentation chamber for the cooling side. I will be using a Fermwrap homebrew fermentation heater on my 6.5 gallon glass carboy for the heating side.
I will be inserting the 12" temperature probe from the Inkbird into a carboy cap with an attached hood thermowell straight into the carboy to get the most accurate fermentation temperature. I feel that this is the best way to control temperature fluctuations, especially during the exothermic reaction process.
So now my question is, how should I program my Inkbird to maintain a 67 degree fermentation?

 

[mongoose33]

Just program it to 67 degrees; then you need a setpoint where the cooling will kick on, and one where the heating will kick on. I use a degree difference from my target. If it's a 67 degree target, use a 68 degree point for cooling, and a 66 degree point for heating.

I haven't yet used both; my fridge is in the garage so in the summer, "too cool" isn't a problem. I have it set for cold crashing right now; it's set at 32 degrees and the Inkbird kicks the fridge on at 33 degrees.

I also use an inkbird for my keezer; I have a 3-degree difference but in that case I'm measuring inside air temp, not the temp of the beer.

BTW, the Inkbird has a 3-minute compressor delay built in so the first time you hook it up it may not turn on the cooling right away.

 

[PADave]

Program 67 into the temp, give it a 1 degree differential, and don't worry about the heating. Fermentation will keeps things plenty warm. Unless you got the freezer somewhere that is below 60.

 

[seafordbrewingcompany]

Why not worry about the heating? Won't the freezer continue to cool down the chest freezer as well as the wort after it reaches 67 degrees? I'm assuming it will, and that's when the fermwrap heater will kick on.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[mongoose33]

Why not worry about the heating? Won't the freezer continue to cool down the chest freezer as well as the wort after it reaches 67 degrees? I'm assuming it will, and that's when the fermwrap heater will kick on.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

No, it's not going to do that, unless you want to ping-pong the temperatures. There is far more thermal mass in the wort than there is in the air in the freezer. You might drop another degree or so, but that's well within the range you'd expect to have anyway.

 

[PADave]

Why not worry about the heating? Won't the freezer continue to cool down the chest freezer as well as the wort after it reaches 67 degrees? I'm assuming it will, and that's when the fermwrap heater will kick on.
Correct me if I'm wrong.

Yes, the air temp will cool, but if you have the temp sensor measuring the wort temp it won't drop more than a degree during active fermentation. Once things stabilize the freezer won't kick on that often, maybe once every few hours during fermentation. I also like to keep some jugs and bottles of water in the freezer to act as a heat sink. Having a heater would just have the freezer and the heater fight each other.

 

[seafordbrewingcompany]

Ok. I think I got it. If I use the chest freezer, I'll just use the cooling side of the Inkbird with no heat.
But here's another option I may have. I brew in my brewshed and it stays pretty cool in there, especially now that it's getting cold here on Long Island, NY. Can I skip the chest freezer and just use the fermwrap heater and plug it into the heating side of the Inkbird?

 

[PADave]

Can I skip the chest freezer and just use the fermwrap heater and plug it into the heating side of the Inkbird?

Don't see why you couldn't, but ideally you want and insulated space, or chamber, to prevent temp swings and have more control. One warm day can mess up that plan.

 

[jpd1009]

I have found that widening the differential makes for less hectic heating and cooling. I started with 1degree Celsius and the heating and cooling was switching constranly, changing it to 3 degrees has slowed the switching down significantly. The fermenter stays wishing the range I require.

I forgot to mention I use a 30 litre conical fermenter, a couple of heating belts and an internal chilling coil that is fed with iced water via a pond pump min an esky.
The fermenter is in an insulated jacket.
The fermenter is located in my garage that is not well insulated.
System works a treat.