Temprature control

[Mo06]

"If you have access to a fridge get a stc1000 off ebay and get it set up to control the fridge. Just use the search box on the brewing equiptment section to look up stc1000 and you`ll get plenty of info. You don`t even have to alter the fridge so it can go back into regular use between brewing sessions."

Oldtom, thanks for the info.

Just so happens that I'm planning on replacing my fridge, so this could be the way forward.

[Nohopebrewery]

Hi every one. Thanks for the info. Thanks to lovely smell of beer fermenting I have been given my marching ordersby the misuse or at least the green light to purchase a shed and make my own brewery in garden.

Got lots to think about as temp control will more important than ever.

I went for an 8 x 6 shed so hope this will be enough room.

[cellone]

I can see you seeking plannining permission to extend the shed as your brewery evolves, make sure the application is put in over a nice meal and some decent plonk and maybe a bit of unselfish loving.

[lovelldr]

Local weather forecast..

http://www.meteo-nice.org/previsions.php

And some of that weather over to Reims for us please?! Just fine over to visit the in-laws, and odds terrible weather here! Lol

[Chocki]

The main problem I can see with a fish tank heater is the temperature gradient, you will effectively have a high temperature at the heater, possibly hot enough in certain spots to be bad for the yeast, and elsewhere in your FV it could be too cool.
Your better off with external heating as it acts on a much larger surface area which results in a more even temperature throughout the FV.

It will work to a certain extent, but is not optimal.

[Nohopebrewery]

I can see you seeking plannining permission to extend the shed as your brewery evolves, make sure the application is put in over a nice meal and some decent plonk and maybe a bit of unselfish loving.

Only brewing for myself and a few friends if they can can get over the idea of home brew lol.

[Ditch]

The main problem I can see with a fish tank heater is ..... It will work to a certain extent, but is not optimal.

The main problem I can see is that you're talking utter bollox from your arm chair

See, I happen to Know what a decent, German made 50 Watt fish tank heater Really does. Because I've brewed more kits with them than I care to remember.

Can ye see this? How much more " Optional " do ye want it to get?

[cellone]

You're as messy as you are blunt

[darkonnis]

Hmmm optimal.... thats not optimal I like my beer in the FV then in the bottle ready to drink not climbing out the bloody fv Solid proof it would work though!

[Ditch]

I like my beer in the FV .....not climbing out the bloody fv

We call that " The Spew ". It's quite famous now

Interestingly; I now have six FV's. But, only the four heaters. I've thus made innumerate FV's up under these conditions. I just leave the two, unheated ones, to get amongst last. They, obviously, ferment out under perfectly 'normal' conditions and, yes; They barely even reach the lid.

But; I'm damned if I can taste any difference in any of them. So, I guess what I'm saying it that one may make this gear either way and still get the same end product. I just use the 'Heat and Blow' method because I tend to need mine in a hurry

[JammyBStard]

Wow
What temp are you set for on those Ditch?

This is my fish tank heater settup, both set to about 22'c to keep up with the July heat (let's pretend anyway).
The water bath buffers the temperature changes nicely. I put a drop of bleach in the water to discourage things from growing in it.

[darkonnis]

Nice, I had considered doing that but the dog would probably drink it if given half a chance i'm just about to buy a STC1000 temperature controller for the fridge seeing as i bought it for fermenting in and just never did in the end. Time to rectify that.
Any suggestions on what plugs/cables and where to get them from for said controller?

[Ditch]

Wow What temp are you set for on those Ditch?

21c, mate. Leave it twenty four hours from pitching, to let the liquid warm and the yeast wake up. Then, three days and ye can get amongst it. Of course, I prefer only doing that in emergencies. Normally, I'd rather give it four or five days.

[Chocki]

"Can ye see this? How much more " Optional " do ye want it to get?"

LOL, can't argue with that, must be a good heater, I'm only going by what one of my friends who keeps tropical fish says about cheap tank heaters having very poor temperature control which may not be ideal for brewing.

Or maybe it's too hot for your yeast and it's trying to make a break for freedom

[Ditch]

I'm only going by what one of my friends who keeps tropical fish says about cheap tank heaters

Listen to your friend!

my friend says about cheap tank heaters

See? And, if ye had the time to squander, sifting through every other post I've ever made on here? Ye'd discover I'm a crusader. I absolutely crusade to turn people Away from the trap of 'Cheap', Chinese imports flooding the Bay.

My message has Always been that a fivers worth of crap, off the Bay is stupid. I wouldn't put one of those things near my FV's if I were given them.

No. Good, time tried, tested and trusted German made heaters are the way to go. Ask ye friends opinion about that statement

Best ones out there, I've found, are 1. German made. 2. 50 Watt 3. Have an external twist knob which moves a visible, sliding , setting gauge. One contained inside the glass tube. I have one here. Think it'd branded " Aqua " or " Aquaria ", or something? (It's warming by beer as I type. Must remember to note it, next time I lift it ) Anyway, yeppers; Dogs bits!

" AquaEl " are a great brand (German). But, I've found, the external numeration on the dial face gets 'washed off' by bleach solution. I really should test all three of those. In a bucket with a thermometer. Then find some way to indelibly mark the spot I need the dial pointing to.

Could do without that drama. Better than losing entire FV's to faulty, chink, shit blowing up though