Winter = slow carbonation

[Sadu]

Hey everyone, question about bottle carbonation.

My first few brews a few months back carbonated well. I was getting a drinkable but green beer after 1 week and after 2-3 weeks great carbonation.

Now it's wintertime in my part of the world, and carbonation isn't happening so well. After 1 week still completely flat, 2 weeks still not carbonated enough to be drinkable, 4 weeks drinkable but still not finished.

I keep the beers in the closet to carbonate, it's the most stable temperature place in the house but at the moment is probably around 15c / 60f. The living room or bedroom is warmer but SWMBO won't like that.

So if I'm not in any particular hurry, is carbonating at a low temperature going to harm the beer at all? If the yeast all fall out of suspension and die before carbonation is done that would be a problem. But if it just means taking 6 weeks for full carbonation instead of 3 that would be fine. The closet isn't fluctuating high and low, but definitely sitting lower than the recommended range for bottle carbonation at the moment.

I can put a small heater on a temperature controller into the closet if I have to - but if it's just a time thing, then I'd prefer not to have the extra cost of heating another room.

Appreciate any thoughts.

 

[jwalk4]

Yup, the temp is too cold, mate.

The beer will still carbonate, but will take more time.

Alternatively, your caps might not have sealed properly. But right now I'd say the temp is too cold.

Read Revvy's bottling tips (https://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=94812)
Post 8 talks about best practice for carbonation.

 

[ACbrewer]

If you are still allowed incandescent light bulbs, you can put a lamp on in the closet. Depending on the size of the space, a 60W lightbulb will at 3F (1.5C) worth of heat. In a closet, it will probably add much more. I think a 100W can go as much as 5 F (~3C).

Be sure to talk with SWMBO before and while you do this. Other wise the "why are you leaving a light on in the closet" will be an issue. And also make sure you cover the beer to block light.

 

[flars]

Would some moisture in the closet be a problem? A tub or ice chest with water and an aquarium heater would keep the beer warm for conditioning. Inexpensive to operate and no fire risks.

 

[ncbrewer]

When I conditioned in the closet in winter, it was around 65F and took about 6 weeks to condition. No problem with the final results.

Here is a link [ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUcWADuFhTg[/ame] with one idea you could try. I haven't done this so can't recommend one way or the other.

 

[JohnSand]

It's a small difference, but try putting them on the top shelf. My early batches carbed slowly during winter. I moved them on top of the hutch, it helped. I also put them in cases next to the baseboard heater in the kitchen. I have also placed fermenters near the water heater for warmth.

 

[Sadu]

I might run the heater in there for a few days to help clear the pipeline, but I'm getting the vibe that being slightly low on the carbonation temperature means that it just takes longer, rather than stops the carbonation or harms the beer. Which is all good. Thanks for the replies.