low temperature

[jaychalm]

Hi, im currently brewing my first brew , but im stuck at 18 degrees celcius and cant seem to get it to reach 20. will this work? im using a 2 can kit which says the fermenting process will take around 4-6 days. with my temp being low should i leave it longer?

 

[mike-teslia]

most ale yeast will ferment that low it will just take a little longer trust your hydrometer samples they wont lie to you if they are the same 2 times in a row then its a safe bet to move to secondary fermentation

 

[EarthwormJim]

18 should be ok. May actually be a little warm once things get going. Fermentation will create its own heat and the temp in the beer can be much warmer than ambient, like 5 degrees, sometimes more.

I would also recommend not trying to hold to the timeline in the instructions. It will be done when it is done. I would wait at least a week, maybe even two, before checking the gravity the first time, then again a few days later. A little extra time is better than not enough. If it is stable I would go straight into the bottles, no secondary. Assuming nothing is being added and this being your first brew, secondary isn't worth the extra risk of infection.

 

[treacheroustexan]

You should be fine. That is a little on the lower side, but once fermentation is active your actual temperature should be a little higher than 18c!

 

[uptonparkfan]

mine is around 22 to 24 is that OK.

 

[kh54s10]

Depending on what yeast you are using that may be the best temperature for fermentation. 24 is too warm. I think you are good to go.

I ferment most of my ales between 18.3 and 18.9 or 65-66 Fahrenheit.

 

[PADave]

The first thing to do is throw out the instructions that come with the "kits." Yes you are fine at 18 deg C. No, 4 to 6 days is not long enough. 2 weeks min., I prefer 3.