Swamp Cooler Question

[Prymal]

I did a light search of the forum and didn't find an answer to the following question.

When using a swamp cooler should you still assume that the temp inside the fermenter is 4 - 5 degrees greater then the temperature of the swamp cooler water?

 

[PTBYOOJ]

Not sure, but I have been using one and noticed that the temp on my carboy tape thermometer is a bit higher than the thermometer I keep floating in the swampwater. I guess that points to "yes".

 

[maffewl]

In the center of the fermenter, you can expect some maybe a degree or two of difference, but it should be pretty close overall.

 

[PTBYOOJ]

Another question could be: why do you need a swamp cooler during December in Washington

 

[ISUBrew79]

Another question could be: why do you need a swamp cooler during December in Washington

I live in Iowa, where the low temperature this morning was +9 F. However, I live in a small apartment with an ambient temperature of ~72 F. I'd rather not turn my thermostat down to say, 60 F, while my beers are fermenting. I don't have a cool basement to ferment in, and 72 F is too high, in my opinion, for typical ale fermentations.

If the OP's situation is anything like mine, a cool place might not be available, and the OP might want to ferment cooler than the ambient temperature in his/her residence.

 

[ISUBrew79]

In the center of the fermenter, you can expect some maybe a degree or two of difference, but it should be pretty close overall.

This has been my experience as well. The water surrounding the fermenter has a pretty high heat capacity, and the walls of my Better Bottle don't seem to have much for insulative qualities. A degree or two difference is all I've noticed on the few occasions I've measured the temperature of the fermenting beer and the water bath at the same time.

 

[Coffee_Creek]

I did a light search of the forum and didn't find an answer to the following question.

When using a swamp cooler should you still assume that the temp inside the fermenter is 4 - 5 degrees greater then the temperature of the swamp cooler water?

Just noticed your location, hello neighbor!! I'm in North Richland.

 

[Prymal]

Another question could be: why do you need a swamp cooler during December in Washington

It maybe only be 20 to 50 degrees outside but I dont have a basement that takes advantage of the ground temps and I would rather not purchase a brew belt and keep everything in the garage. So i just a tub that I already owned and Ice water. Cheap and easy.