Home Brew

[RizzoTheRat]

I got a 40 pint Ale home brew kit for Christmas, and I'm guessing there must be a few home brewers on here.

How much heat will it generate itself when fermenting? The instructions say to keep at 20-25 degrees, and on a washable surface as it could bubble over. My kitchen appears to hit 22 degrees when in use, drops to about 15 (guessing) over night, and is currently at 17 degrees which is probably it;s average when the heating on. Would the heat of fermentation plus a blanket over the top be sufficient to cope with the lower temperatures, or do I need to rig up some sort of bund in the airing cupboard?

I've heard of people using an old fridge with a temperature controller and a light bulb for heat but I'd like to see how I get on with a basic attempt before I start building new kit.

[PositronicRay]

I find a stable temperature is important, a fluctuating temperature seems to spoil both 1st and 2nd fermentation.

I'm lucky my airing cupboard backs on to a wardrobe, this stays at a constant 21c, ideal.

Try to find somewhere with a more stable temperature if you can.

[Martin4x4]

While fermentation is exothermic that effect is tiny. The bubbling is simply gas being released and can bubble over (not boil over).

A cold place will inhibit the yeast and slow down the process, ideally you need to find a more consistently warmer place do you have an airing cupboard or similar?

Temperature is very important, second only to impeccable sterilisation/cleanliness.

Edited by Martin4x4 on Sunday 28th December 09:28

[tricky1962]

I've done it for years in my kitchen like this with no problems. If the the temperature only drops to 17°C overnight you won't have any problem, it will slow down the fermentation slightly, but that will then pick up in the morning as the temperature rises again. If you are really concerned, you could wrap the bin in a blanket which will reduce the o/night temperature change

[Turn7]

I use one of these....

[RizzoTheRat]

That looks like a good idea.

Tub won't fit in the airing cupboard so I'll try it in the lounge which tends to be warmer. I've lined a cardboard box with plastic to keep in any spill and that should help with the temperature too.

I'm thinking I'll see how this one works before buying more kit to do the job, I've got a load of heating wire left over from my home made heated jacket which would probably work well with an arduino controller...

[SwanJack]

My fermentation chamber uses a reptilian heat pad, a 99p working fridge from ebay and a £15 temperature controller. Different beers need different yeast and each has its own optimum temperature range. It's pointless buying yeast at £6 a vial if you cant give them the conditions they need to achieve their characteristics.