On my third brew, wondering how important fermentation temperature is

[slurms]

One gallon carboys will yield a 6 pack + a couple of bottles.

Most 1 gallon carboys don't have much headspace, so just keep that in mind. A blowoff tube is usually a must, depending on the OG, etc.

 

[McKnuckle]

A 3 gallon fermenter is a great choice for any batch size 2.5 gallons and under. The 3 gallon version of the Fermonster with a spigot is a perfect solution.

The more costly stainless Anvil 4 gallon unit and the SS Brewtech Brew Bucket Mini are also nice options.

Williams Brewing offers a simple plastic carboy as well, which is totally fine.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

Most 1 gallon carboys don't have much headspace, so just keep that in mind. A blowoff tube is usually a must, depending on the OG, etc.

For a one gallon batch (of wort), I would use a 2 gallon pail - plenty of head space. Yields about 9 bottles (after packaging losses).

Basic Brewing's "Hop Sampler" is one good example of how to brew well with a one gallon carboy. Those batches target 3/4 gal of wort, 1 lb DME, roughly OG 55, and I find it yields a six pack. A nice result for sampling and plenty of head space in the 1 gal carboy.

 

[Beer Viking]

And so no one gets scared off by Tobor_8thMan’s nice setup, you don’t have to customize it at all to just use it as a fermentation chamber.

You just buy a chest freezer from somewhere like Best Buy and a temperature controller, and that’s all you need. See pictures below.

As you can see, the temperature controller would plug into the wall and the chest freezer would be piggybacked onto that plug. The temperature probe can just be run under the lid because it’s thin enough to still allow a good seal. Then you just set the temperature with the dial on the controller and it will cut the power on and off to meet your set temp.

You can also get more precise digital temperature controllers as well that include hot and cold sides so that you can heat your fermenter if necessary.

The setup below was my original temp control upgrade. The chest freezer ended up being taken over by breast milk and eventually extra food when COVID hit, so I finally went all in and bought a stainless steel fermenter with a temperature control coil and glycol chiller.

So what you're saying is that they make temperature controls that I can just plug into the wall and then plug the chest freezer into without any wiring at all?

 

[Jag75]

So what you're saying is that they make temperature controls that I can just plug into the wall and then plug the chest freezer into without any wiring at all?

Inkbirds

 

[mcmeador]

So what you're saying is that they make temperature controls that I can just plug into the wall and then plug the chest freezer into without any wiring at all?

Correct. Here’s a digital one like I mentioned. Absolutely no wiring required. Just plug it in to the wall and plug your chest freezer into the “Cooling” side.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HXM5UAC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awdb_imm_t1_SD43FbQ7P0Q4E?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Beer Viking]

Thanks guys, that sure makes finding a good temperature control easier! Cheers!