MrKelly
Active Member
So like any self-respecting homebrewer should, I tried stepping up my game with temperature control early this year. Cooling specifically. But I wanted to have fun doing it myself, so I probably went a little overboard.
I saw the BrewJacket, but for that price ..????
I set out to make a thermoelectric peltier chiller just to keep my brew temp in check during the hot summers. I didn't need to Lager.
I started with a brew bucket because it was just easier to make an adequate insulation jacket (1/2 closed cell foam) with the simple shape.
You cant really tell from the pics, but I could have done a better job sealing up the jacket. So potentially could have performed better.
I had a peltier aquarium chiller ice probe already to scavenge parts from. I didnt know if the probe was food safe or not. So I had a buddy of mine machine up an aluminum probe with Hard anodize, and also a copper probe with some sort of food safe coating, I forget what he said it was but I havent tried that yet. I had to drill a 1 hole into the side of the bucket for the probe and then a large plastic nut on the inside.
Then I just plugged it into my normal homebrew temp controller.
Water test starting at 70°F, dropped 10° after 12 hours, 15.8° after 24 hours, 17.8° after 33 hours and 20° after 48 hours. (Best I got). It held temps exceptionally well. I think with a better insulation jacket and a new probe design idea I have, I think it can do better.
I had originally tried to figure out something for my FastFerment, and it performed just about as well, but not an insulation jacket I could be proud of.
I couldnt figure out a good jacket design to fit it the way I wanted. I know its doable, and probably eventually will. Just not for now.
Though brewing in a bucket is perfectly adequate, I just dont want to brew in one anymore. And I couldnt easily make a jacket for the FastFerment, I made a better jacket for my Big Mouth Bubbler as the next best thing. Well technically, my aunt who used to run a small sewing company made it for me.
Now, winter is coming and dont need to chill. I found a temp controller for thermoelectric peltiers that reverses the polarity to both heat and chill depending on what is needed to hold temp. So I could use it to heat now. But I have a toddler that is keeping me busy these days. I actually dont get to brew much anymore at all, let alone work on this project.
So need some encouragement or discouragement. Is this a worthwhile project to other homebrewers to see finalized? Should I continue with this project? Am I missing something important? Did I just waste a bunch of time?
I saw the BrewJacket, but for that price ..????
I set out to make a thermoelectric peltier chiller just to keep my brew temp in check during the hot summers. I didn't need to Lager.
I started with a brew bucket because it was just easier to make an adequate insulation jacket (1/2 closed cell foam) with the simple shape.
You cant really tell from the pics, but I could have done a better job sealing up the jacket. So potentially could have performed better.
I had a peltier aquarium chiller ice probe already to scavenge parts from. I didnt know if the probe was food safe or not. So I had a buddy of mine machine up an aluminum probe with Hard anodize, and also a copper probe with some sort of food safe coating, I forget what he said it was but I havent tried that yet. I had to drill a 1 hole into the side of the bucket for the probe and then a large plastic nut on the inside.
Then I just plugged it into my normal homebrew temp controller.
Water test starting at 70°F, dropped 10° after 12 hours, 15.8° after 24 hours, 17.8° after 33 hours and 20° after 48 hours. (Best I got). It held temps exceptionally well. I think with a better insulation jacket and a new probe design idea I have, I think it can do better.
I had originally tried to figure out something for my FastFerment, and it performed just about as well, but not an insulation jacket I could be proud of.
I couldnt figure out a good jacket design to fit it the way I wanted. I know its doable, and probably eventually will. Just not for now.
Though brewing in a bucket is perfectly adequate, I just dont want to brew in one anymore. And I couldnt easily make a jacket for the FastFerment, I made a better jacket for my Big Mouth Bubbler as the next best thing. Well technically, my aunt who used to run a small sewing company made it for me.
Now, winter is coming and dont need to chill. I found a temp controller for thermoelectric peltiers that reverses the polarity to both heat and chill depending on what is needed to hold temp. So I could use it to heat now. But I have a toddler that is keeping me busy these days. I actually dont get to brew much anymore at all, let alone work on this project.
So need some encouragement or discouragement. Is this a worthwhile project to other homebrewers to see finalized? Should I continue with this project? Am I missing something important? Did I just waste a bunch of time?
