questions on fermentation bucket / swamp cooler temps

[user 165400]

hello all!

i am currently working on my second beer (IPA came out pretty good, so thank you to all who helped answering questions!). Its a saison style ale. I am using Wyeast 3711 which has a higher fermentation temperature. i believe 65 - 77 or so.

The weather was pretty hot in chicago the last few weeks so the temp in my swamp cooler was staying around 68 -70, and i was guessing the temp of hte beer in side the fermentation bucket was about 3-5 degrees higher. the weather has now dropped quiet a bit to where it is getting in the low 50s high 40s at night and my swamp cooler water is staying around 60 at all times, which if im right, may make the beer to cold right now. i was going to take it out of the swamp cooler but our house is averaging around 72, so i was not sure if the temp in side the fermentation bucket would jump since its not surrounded by water to help maintain low temps.

on average, does any one know what the temp inside a fermentation bucket would be in the swamp cooler vs out of the cooler? Im coming around hte lsat few days of primary fermentation so it may not matter to much any more, but i still want to be safe, and i do not want the beer temp to jump in the 80s if my ambient room temp is in the 70s and it is not in a swamp cooler.

Also, for secondary fermentation should i still attempt to keep the temps in the high 60's low 70s or will room temperature be okay for this?

thanks!

 

[twistr25]

The main extra heat happens in the first 2-4 days during the most rigorous part of fermentation. It's actually better after that initial phase to let it warm slightly to help the yeast finish their job. So room temp now in the low 70s should be fine to finish your primary and even for your secondary.

 

[Calder]

Due to the large amount of water in a swamp cooler, the temp inside the fermenter stays about the same as the water.

Once the really active fermentation is slowing down, the fermentation is not generating much heat so will stay around room temp if in air.

I use a fish tank heater in my swamp cooler to get the temps up. Works great.

Now you are near the end of fermentation, you might want the temp up to around 80 F to finish it off.

 

[Quixoticosis]

FWIW, it's going to be getting back up into the 80s tomorrow and Thursday.