Problems keeping Ambient temp....

[christet]

My brew is fermenting in a spare room upstairs, on average this is the warmest room in the house and in the last few days has had an Ambient temp of around 15-16`c. (checked with electric thermometer)

I put a brew belt on last night but it is very hard to get the temperature to stay the same due to there being no control on it and worried it is going to get too warm. I just wondered if there is a simple solution to keeping the temp steady/slightly higher than it is at present? I have read about different heaters and submerging FV in water etc but is there any other ideas? I have wrapped the barrel in towels which seemed to keep it warmer, does the fermentation process naturally produce heat?

[Mr.Everready]

I tried the belt but just couldnt keep a constant temperature. I ended up using a water bath, about £15 all in for the bucket and the aquarium heater. I've used it quite a few times now for beer and wine and it's kept a constant temperature ( 20c-ish ) all the time, this is in a room that is about 12-15 degrees during the day.

[boingy]

As long as you have a room that is always colder than your target temperature the easiest way is to get a submersible aquarium thermometer and set it to 20C (or whatever). You can either dangle it directly in the beer or, as mentioned above, you can control a water bath and sit the FV in it (this saves having to clean and sanitise the heater). The scale on those heaters is not very accurate so use a bucket of water to check the setting.

The fermentation process does produce a bit of heat but not a huge amount.

[Stomach]

I am able to ferment and warm condition in the airing cupboard. Its always 21C!

Mrs Stomach is ok with it, along with some lighthearted jokes about no rooms for towels and bedding anymore!

[Monkeybrew]

I am able to ferment and warm condition in the airing cupboard. Its always 21C!

Mrs Stomach is ok with it, along with some lighthearted jokes about no rooms for towels and bedding anymore!

Who needs towels and bedding anyway??

[Ditch]

I am able to ferment and warm condition in the airing cupboard.

Don't, what ever ye do, try making my stout in there

Even the light hearted Mrs Stomach would go f**king ballistic once That started spewing and foaming out from under the door!

[Stomach]

I am able to ferment and warm condition in the airing cupboard.

Don't, what ever ye do, try making my stout in there

Even the light hearted Mrs Stomach would go f**king ballistic once That started spewing and foaming out from under the door!

Haha! you have warned me before about that!

[britbiker]

hi i had same problem and got better temp control by buying a fish tank heater, there is a little control knob on top to select temp they are able to control temp well as designed for tropical fish, i use a rubber bung with 2 holes through it one for the cable and one for the airlock, drill a hole in the fermenting bucket lid and just sit the heater in the brew with the top about 1" above the surface, only cost £10 for 50w heater plenty big enough for 22l of beer

[boingy]

I'm surprised your airing cupboard is at such a low temperature. Ours is closer to 30C.

[Stomach]

I'm surprised your airing cupboard is at such a low temperature. Ours is closer to 30C.

That is hot! Do you have a lot of hot water pipework in there?

[cellone]

Mrs has let me have the old bathroom for work and sea fishing gear i.e. as a shed for expensive stuff, airing cupboard included. With the doors shut it's about 30% inside a/c and 22% in room, with the door open it's about 26% inside a/c and 24 in room.

I want to brew lagers!

[Ditch]

Mrs has let me ...

Epic Fail!!!

/Thread.

[cellone]

Sorry Ditch, but I don't understand your post.

[adamlikesthings]

Hi guys,

Out of interest anyone know how much it costs to run a brew belt / tank heater for the duration of the fermentation in the primary vessel? (what wattage of tank heater would you need for 23l?)

[Ditch]

Sorry Ditch, but I don't understand your post.

I was ribbing ye about needing the wifes permission to do anything, mate. Maybe it's a cultural thing?