Fermenting in a shed without electrics - am I dreaming?

JamesH · Post by **JamesH** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 1:29 pm

Hello,

I am currently planning how to improve my shed so that it is suitable for brewing in. I want to do everything in there to avoid my wife nagging me about it (and boy can she nag whenever I mention brewing). Ideally I would have electrics shed but this is not my 'forever shed' and, with money tight at the moment, I want to see if I can make do with using an extension cable on the brew day and no power during fermentation. This would mean no form of temperature control during fermentation, which isn't ideal. So, does anyone know of a decent way to do this? I thought that a well-insulated fermenting chamber would work to a degree. Does anybody manage to make half-decent beer without getting to hung up on controlling fermenting temperature?

Cheers,

James.

Rick_UK · Post by **Rick_UK** » Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:54 pm

It will depend mainly on the ambient temps. I doubt even the best insulation will keep it the temp where you want it for more than about 24hrs. Obviously the colder the ambient temp the more it will drop. You might be ok with a lager yeast if it stays above about 8'C at night, but I'd recommend bringing it indoors or running an extension lead to the shed so you can get some heat in there. Aquarium heaters are cheap and effective if you can spare a tenner off Ebay.

Rick

Fil · Post by **Fil** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 12:39 am

a well insulated box and daily swapping out of frozen 4pint milk containers will require a bit of freezer space and daily attention but can help keep temps down, - hot water bottles in winter can help warm too.

a 12v battery and pc fan can be hooked up to move the cool/warm air over the fv too..

100-200l containers of water help absorb excessive heat during the day and then radiate the heat back out overnight..

boingy · Post by **boingy** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:03 am

Mostly, yes, you are dreaming I'm afraid. Of course, you will still make beer but temperature control has a huge influence in the final result.
You can get away with no control by choosing a suitable place in a (heated) house but in a shed you will always be up against it.

Get yourself a cheap extension reel, conceal it as best you can across the garden and use aquarium heater. Your beer will thank you for it.

vacant · Post by **vacant** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:34 am

Rick_UK wrote:I'd recommend bringing it indoors

Agreed. Painting pretty flowers on the FV and leaving a bowl of potpourri on top will probably win SWMBO over.

Pauliet · Post by **Pauliet** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:10 pm

vacant wrote:
Rick_UK wrote:I'd recommend bringing it indoors
Agreed. Painting pretty flowers on the FV and leaving a bowl of potpourri on top will probably win SWMBO over.

darkonnis · Post by **darkonnis** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 8:29 pm

Bit of a dream I'm afraid. Bring it inside somewhere, warm is better than cold if you've got no control at all.

Rick_UK · Post by **Rick_UK** » Sun Mar 23, 2014 10:45 pm

vacant wrote:
Rick_UK wrote:I'd recommend bringing it indoors
Agreed. Painting pretty flowers on the FV and leaving a bowl of potpourri on top will probably win SWMBO over.

Bring the beer indoors and put SWMBO in the shed. It's just a matter of priorities...

sbond10 · Post by **sbond10** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:06 am

I have mine next to my bed use to be on Swmbo s make up table do I win ?

boingy · Post by **boingy** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:33 am

sbond10 wrote:I have mine next to my bed use to be on Swmbo s make up table do I win ?

That depends.
Are you still married?

LeeH · Post by **LeeH** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 10:51 am

Just get shot of the wife, and brew in the house.

sbond10 · Post by **sbond10** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:06 am

boingy wrote:
sbond10 wrote:I have mine next to my bed use to be on Swmbo s make up table do I win ?
That depends.
Are you still married?

Yes well I think I am she's still in the house and I get shouted at if I bring another woman home

vacant · Post by **vacant** » Mon Mar 24, 2014 11:13 am

OMG! I've just realised there's a gap in the market for Cath Kidston-themed brewing equipment. Sweet dreams guys:

Jim's Beer Kit

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