New fermentation chamber

[ChrisMartin91]

Hey guys
I finished building my fermentation chamber over the weekend just in time to brew my pale ale. As of right now I haven't wired up my temperature controller so ive just be having to keep an eye on the temp to make sure it doesnt get to high or low. My problem now is that its been 48 hrs and there is only a litle bit of krausen forming. Way less than im used to seeing at this time(remember this is my first batch in my chamber). Im getting some bubbles in my air lock so I know that sugers are being converted but my question is what is a rough difference between the internal wort temp. and the ambient temperature around it. My chamber has been hovering around 57-60F give or take. Maybe thats too low and why its taking longer. Im going to take a reading when I get home from work. Any thoughts or do I just need to "Relax and have a home brew"

 

[PLOVE]

Doesn't exist without pictures!

 

[andrewmaixner]

Rdwhahb...
We would need to know which yeast to know if the temperature is OK.

 

[ChrisMartin91]

Safale US-05 Dry ale. Pitched it at 63°f to keep the yeast happier.

 

[ChrisMartin91]

Just called my gf at home and she said that ambient temp is 64. Hopefully my wort is around 68 or 70

 

[andrewmaixner]

Just called my gf at home and she said that ambient temp is 64. Hopefully my wort is around 68 or 70

Well, you don't need to worry about being too cold at 64 ambient.

Tape the temperature sensor to the side of the fermentation vessel, and tape insulation (fabric, foam packing/padding material, etc) over the sensor. you will get a fair approximation of the actual temperature then.

 

[ChrisMartin91]

I didn't think it was too low. That's why im curious as to why there's not a big krausen. Maybe my pitching temperature was a little low? Taking the yeast a little longer to wake up and go full speed. But im going to get some of those strip thermometers and stick a few to the outside of my fermenter.

 

[d3track]

The last time I used us05 I had a pretty thin krausen but lots of activity in the carboy. If those yeast are swimming you're good.

 

[andrewmaixner]

I didn't think it was too low. That's why im curious as to why there's not a big krausen. Maybe my pitching temperature was a little low? Taking the yeast a little longer to wake up and go full speed. But im going to get some of those strip thermometers and stick a few to the outside of my fermenter.

I wouldn't worry about the size of the krausen, as long as it's there.

I've had poor luck with the crystal thermometer stickers. I bought some $3 digital temp displays with probes from china, and tape/insulate them to my fermenters.

 

[brew_ny]

Just called my gf at home and she said that ambient temp is 64. Hopefully my wort is around 68 or 70

05 is very clean at 64 -65 wort temp

all the best

S_M

 

[peterj]

You said the temperature was 57F-60F? That's probably why it took so long to get going. That's pretty cold for an ale yeast.

 

[ChrisMartin91]

Yeah I had some trouble in the past with getting my wort chilled within a reasonable amount of time. Got a wort chiller to fix that problem. I guess i got it too cold. Better off too cold than too hot I guess. Thanks alot guys!