Beer cooling

[MashBag]

Okay so summers appear to be getter hotter, so we need to brew more

But there lies the problem... Fermentation temp.

I have previously thought let's just get stocked up in May. But 2022 was a looong summer.

So I have been thinking about a simple & cheap cooler.
This doesn't need to be be a copper monster to reduce boiling to -240° in 3 seconds. If fact quite the opposite a gentle reduction of 1°c
These came up...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/334254696816 ... media=COPY

Quickly followed by a few ideas...
With two of these one in beer one in "the cold" and a simple pump (inkbird controlled)

"The cold" could be:
1. Bucket of water with a pond pump and some ice?
2. The bucket is a sump and the second cooler is in the brew shed fridge?

Someone, somewhere has tried these surely.....

[guypettigrew]

Many years ago my fermentation temperature was controlled by using ice and water in an insulated cool box--the same one I used for mashing--pumped through a coil in the FV and controlled with a thermostat.

Then I splashed out on a Maxi 110 for about £90 several years ago and life is much easier. No repeated filling of the cool box with ice and water.

Guy

[MashBag]

I like your thinking, and I fear it may come to that.

Since posting this I have another option..

3. Bucket of water with the pump & second cooler actually in the brew shed fridge?

[clarets7]

So, if the fermenter was in a very well insulated box, are there any calculators that work out how much heat is generated by the fermentation process? Just so the scale of cooling required can be calculated?

[MashBag]

I might have a Google, but I don't think that is going to be easy math for the uninitiated.

I was more... if it takes 8 minutes & 45 litres to crash from 99 to 20°c, it must be much much less to drop just 0.5°c

Another thought... What about using mains water?

[clarets7]

I might have a Google, but I don't think that is going to be easy math for the uninitiated.

I was more... if it takes 8 minutes & 45 litres to crash from 99 to 20°c, it must be much much less to drop just 0.5°c

Another thought... What about using mains water?

I did Google it but the answers varied by a factor of 4!

[guypettigrew]

Another thought... What about using mains water?

Depends how cold it is. Down here in Dorset the water out of the tap was close on 20C during the summer. Pretty useless for maintaining a good fermentation temperature and definitely no good for cooling after fermentation.

With the Maxi providing water at close to 0C the fermentation was kept at the right temperature during summer by the pump circulating the water for just a few minutes every hour or so. The Maxi has to be on all the time, though, so there's an instant supply of ice cold water.

Guy

[Blackaddler]

I don't think it's really necessary to leave the Maxi running all the time. The ice bath will stay cold enough to do the job, once it's cooled down.

I control mine to switch on/off with an external STC1000, set at 0.3C difference in temperature in the fermenter.

[guypettigrew]

I don't think it's really necessary to leave the Maxi running all the time. The ice bath will stay cold enough to do the job, once it's cooled down.

I control mine to switch on/off with an external STC1000, set at 0.3C difference in temperature in the fermenter.

Possibly not necessary, but most of the time it's just the internal impeller going, so very little electricity used. And I have the security of knowing there won't ever be a time lag between the stuff in the FV going over the set temperature and ice cold water being pumped through the cooling coil inside the FV.

Guy

[Eric]

I don't think it's really necessary to leave the Maxi running all the time. The ice bath will stay cold enough to do the job, once it's cooled down.

I control mine to switch on/off with an external STC1000, set at 0.3C difference in temperature in the fermenter.

Ditto, well almost, with a single STC1000 controller for the Maxi pump and heating wire as required.

In winter insulated resistance wire supplies heat, under jacket insulation. Natural cooling is usually sufficient with the brewery in a garage with or without the jacket insulation.

In summer heat generated by fermentation is usually sufficient, but heating wire is wrapped around the vessel for use if needed. Cooling is by internal stainless or external copper piping from Maxi with insulating jacket if appropriate.

I have no fermentation fridge and heavy top fermenting yeast strains that require recirculation and generate a lot of heat are open fermented to stop the yeast escaping from the vessel.

[MashBag]

I also have an unloved portapint. I guess I could repurpose that.
Just seems OTT for 2 maybe 3 brews a year.

[Eric]

Just seems OTT for 2 maybe 3 brews a year.

Yes.

[MashBag]

This certainly looks like it is part of the plan.

https://brew2bottle.co.uk/products/keg- ... fpJxarEI7E

Better than the beer coolers I first found.

[MashBag]

I have just ordered a stainless steel coil for fermentation. I quite fancy the bucket of cold water in the fridge method.

... And then I can have a play in the brew shed once the grapes are pressed.

[MashBag]

https://www.angelhomebrew.co.uk/fermzil ... -coil.html

Opted for a coil in the end with a bit more length.

Arrived yesterday. Very pleased. Good size, quality and service.

Doubly pleased because it fits in the BM20 but also my favourite, wide mouth fermenters, with a 4 inch lid.

https://brew2bottle.co.uk/products/easy ... d-for-bung