Temperature Control

[ghank15]

What is the best way that you more experienced brewers have controlled your fermentation temperature on the warm side?

Meaning, what is the best way to keep your fermentation room (or your fermenter, for that matter) warm.

I am currently lagering a brew in a spare room where the heat does not work too well at 50 degrees. Keeping the temp. there is no problem. I would really like to brew an ale however, and I don't really have another room to leave the carboy. is there any way I can keep the one brew at 50(room temp for that room this time of year) and the other at about 65? or do i have to wait until late may when the temps warm up to properly ferment an ale?

 

[trigger]

You can get one of these, but you'll have to check the temperature and adjust accordingly. Another option is to invest in a chest freezer and temperature controller. Search the forum here for "ebay aquarium controller" and you'll find a DIY thread on how to build a two stage thermostat for under $50. Then you can plug in a reptile heating mat inside the freezer and it'll hold whatever ferm temp you want.

 

[Russtang]

I just got one of these for my $25 craigslist refrigerator/fermentation chamber.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000E7NYY8


It has a switch to select either heating or cooling. I extended the temperature probe wires about 3 feet and ran it up inside the fridge. Working great so far. Total fermentation chamber outlay was less than $60.