Temperature Controlled Fermentation!

[Brewpastor]

Here is a pretty good image that shows you what I have been up to. It is my jacketed fermenter and a glycol chiller made out of a chest freezer. The Ranco Digital Controllers regulate a circulation pump and the freezer. It works really well.

 

[Coastarine]

what...the...

oh oh oh I get it. For a second I thought the beer was in the freezer.

 

[Brewpastor]

Glycol in the freezer, beer in the fermenter.

Here is another image:

 

[BlindLemonLars]

Couldn't you just put the fermenter in a water bath and pull an old t-shirt over it??

Impressive Brewpastor, very impressive! You high-end homebrewers never cease to amaze me.

 

[Beerrific]

I dream of glycol jackets.

 

[Seabee John]

BP... you are just a plain old bad man! That's freaking awesome! what did the jacketed conical run you?

 

[Brewpastor]

Couldn't you just put the fermenter in a water bath and pull an old t-shirt over it??

Impressive Brewpastor, very impressive! You high-end homebrewers never cease to amaze me.

Stop being reasonable.

 

[Duckfoot]

Ala` "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back"

"I think I just filled the cup."

Nice work... My homemade fermetation chamber (in the works) seems pale in comparison...

 

[Brewpastor]

what did the jacketed conical run you?

It is made out of two different hoppers. I got most of it for nothing or close to it, but I am guessing if you had to buy all of this you would be looking at a bit under a grand.

 

[JVD_X]

Wait... how does the glycol circulate around the conical? I see the tubes going to the bottom but where does it go from there?

Really you could have a whole series of fermenters running all in parallel off of the same chiller. You wouldn't even need a conical as you could use the old bucket within a cooler trick. Just be sure not to poison your beer.

 

[Brewtopia]

Must I remind you of Matthew 6:19-21 BP?

Better send that thing to me. Better yet, I'll fly out there and pick it up. Along with your other earthly treasures.

 

[culaslucas]

OH my god this is awesome. A tad bit of overkill but that's totally my style.

You don't happen to have a how-totyped up for the brave few that may wish to pursue this do you?

 

[Kilgore_Trout]

Holy crap talk about overkill... you're cooling such a ridiculous volume of glycol. That has to take quite a while to pull down... probably could have gotten away with a gallon or two and a plate heat exchanger.

That said.. I still envy that setup, very very nice work.

 

[Brewpastor]

Holy crap talk about overkill... you're cooling such a ridiculous volume of glycol. That has to take quite a while to pull down... probably could have gotten away with a gallon or two and a plate heat exchanger.

That said.. I still envy that setup, very very nice work.

If you have it why not use It? I was given a barrel of glycol from a brewery friend, along with the chest freezer.

 

[Brewpastor]

Wait... how does the glycol circulate around the conical? I see the tubes going to the bottom but where does it go from there?

Really you could have a whole series of fermenters running all in parallel off of the same chiller. You wouldn't even need a conical as you could use the old bucket within a cooler trick. Just be sure not to poison your beer.

The glycol is food grade, so it won't kill you - not that you want to drink it!

As for circulation, there is a sump pump in the glycol which is controlled by the Ranco controller. There should be an article coming out in Zymurgy's upcoming gadget issue.

I also use the glycol in my heat exchanger, which is really effective. I like the idea of a carboy in a cooler using this same kind of idea.

 

[MrNate]

How cold does (or can) the glycol get? Down to zero? Is it mixed with water or just straight glycol?

 

[JVD_X]

The glycol is food grade, so it won't kill you - not that you want to drink it!

As for circulation, there is a sump pump in the glycol which is controlled by the Ranco controller. There should be an article coming out in Zymurgy's upcoming gadget issue.

I also use the glycol in my heat exchanger, which is really effective. I like the idea of a carboy in a cooler using this same kind of idea.

I didn't know anti-freeze came in "food grade"! Are you pulling my leg? Seriously... Are you?

 

[bull8042]

I didn't know anti-freeze came in "food grade"! Are you pulling my leg? Seriously... Are you?

Recent survey suggests that 8 out of 10 dead dogs preferred the taste of "food-grade" glycol over the regular flavor.
Ten dead dogs can't be wrong!

 

[springer]

I didn't know anti-freeze came in "food grade"! Are you pulling my leg? Seriously... Are you?

The kind that goes in your car or truck isn't food safe. You need to by RV antifreeze that is used to winterize the water lines. I do this every year with my Travel trailer.

But even then it could still cause problems with the central nervous system if ingested in large amounts
http://www.peakantifreeze.com/msds/msds_peak_rv_marine_af.pdf

 

[Brewpastor]

Food Grade Glycol refers to Food Grade Propylene Glycol, as opposed to radiator fluid which is Ethylene Glycol which is toxic.

 

[MrNate]

Food Grade Glycol refers to Food Grade Propylene Glycol, as opposed to radiator fluid which is Ethylene Glycol which is toxic.

...Not to mention delicious.

 

[Brewpastor]

It won't hold a head for anything.

 

[thooper41]

Can you post pictures od the inside of the fermentor please?

 

[brewjunky]

Why didn't you just put a smaller bucket of gycol in the freezer like say 5 gallons or so that way at least you could use the freezer for other things

 

[terrazza]

Wow - I am set on building that jacketed fermenter. What cautions does your welders need to watch out for in terms of the welding finish on the inside of the conical? Do you know if all welds were done from the inside of the conical, or outside - is grinding inside of the conical acceptable or does that promote rust? Really inspiring. Must make an appt to meet with my welder... Feed us more!

 

[Jif]

Propylene glycol also is a very good humidifier, it's often used as the liquid base in cigar humidiors!

 

[Brewpastor]

I have to say that I really like having this fermenter. I have a CAP fermenting right now at 50 degrees and it is just glugging along.

(OK, I continue to try to justify this fermenter. Is it working?)

 

[mrhahkey]

I have to say that I really like having this fermenter. I have a CAP fermenting right now at 50 degrees and it is just glugging along.

(OK, I continue to try to justify this fermenter. Is it working?)

Ill need a sample produced from it before I can sign off on any justification.....

 

[JesseRC]

So that just goes into your freezer. I didnt know they were completely sealed. My kenmoore one kinda scratches easy and has seams I think. Mines probably a POS.

 

[ClaudiusB]

Here is a pretty good image that shows you what I have been up to.

I like your cool idea.

My approach is different.

Cheers,
ClaudiusB