Tips on lagering

[serrano07]

I just brew a Vienna lager and just realized that in order to lager it it has to be at a low temp. Need some tips on how to keep my beer cool. Nothing crazy expensive either. Right now I have my fermenter sitting in a container with water in it. And every so often I have to add ice to it. It's staying based at 56 degrees. But after the primary fermentation I have to transfer it to my carboy and get the temp lower (around 35-43 degrees) just looking for an easier way to maintain temp that's not too expensive. Thanks!!

 

[serrano07]

By the way I have to maintain the 35-43 degrees for at least 3 weeks

 

[freisste]

What's the weather like outside?

You are doing the best-cheapest method right now.

You don't have a spare fridge lying around, do you?

 

[serrano07]

The weather here right now is too cold it's only 10 degrees out. I do have a kegerator but there's a keg in it right now so my bucket won't fit.

 

[helibrewer]

An inexpensive controller (STC1000) driving a heating pad in your garage would work great. In my opinion it is much easier to heat/insulate than cool.

 

[OleBrewing]

I agree with helibrewer. I brewed a big batch of cider in a water tank in the garage. wrapped 2 different lengths of heat tape (the stuff to keep your water pipes from freezing). They do come in 3 foot lengths which would work for a carboy. And duct tape the heat tape on wrapped in 6" insulation and kept the cider at 58 all winter long until spring. I had to turn the second tape on when it got below zero. My temp control was me going out and plugging in the digital therm.