Time to Step it up a little. What to do.

[BrewinBromanite]

I just used my new fermentation cooler for the first time last batch, along with a Johnson Controls digital controller. Taped the temp-probe to the wall of the carboy, and then insulated with some foam sheets (the kind that new electronics are wrapped in), and some bubble wrap on top of that. Then sealed all the edges with duct tape.

Worked like a charm! The temp reading was consistently 1 deg cooler than my set point throughout the fermentation.

Also had 2 old thermometer/aquarium strips that were still on the carboy that were both reading spot on with the digital controller reading.

 

[wikki]

So It's been a little over a month now and my first batch of bear using the new method is all bottle conditioned and ready to go.

I brewed what is basically a pumpkin pie ale, with some hints of cinnamon and cloves.

I just brought up 6 bottles to the office and passed them around and they are a big hit. By far this is the best beer I've brewed.

Thanks for all of the great advice!

If you are reading this and have not gotten proper temperature control for your fermentation process I urge you to do so at once. I got an old freezer for $40 and built an STC-1000 temp controller for $40.

 

[wikki]

 

[BigFloyd]

I just brought up 6 bottles to the office and passed them around and they are a big hit. By far this is the best beer I've brewed.

Thanks for all of the great advice!

If you are reading this and have not gotten proper temperature control for your fermentation process I urge you to do so at once. I got an old freezer for $40 and built an STC-1000 temp controller for $40.

Outstanding.

You didn't just step it up a little. You stepped it up a bunch.

 

[IL1kebeer]

I got an old freezer for $40 and built an STC-1000 temp controller for $40.

Good choice. Swamp coolers are neat, but for consistently good beer you need the precision of a freezer/fridge and an external controller.