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View Full Version : A few brewing questions


Siatek
2008-11-02, 17:02
First off- Sorry if this is in the wrong forum, I was stuck somewhere between here, DIY & BLTC, mods please feel free to move.

I used to brew a little bit back in my old house, but never really had the space to do it on any real scale however I'm familiar with the basics.

I have two 25L Fermentation Bins, a 25L Racking Container (Not sure what the proper name for this is, it's just for storage and has a tap at the bottom, and a 25L Pressure Barrell.

Right now I'm just playing about with different mixes and I've had a few failiures and a few successes- However my current problem is heating and cooling, again I'm no pro when it comes to this stuff but the guides I've read say that it needs to be at certain temperatures for different bits of the process. I don't actually have a thermometer for liquid yet but will be picking one up in a few days which should make the job easier but what's the easiest way of altering the temperature, they're already taking up a fair bit of room so moving them to different rooms in the house would be difficult though not impossible.

Any ideas/suggestions?

Bckpckr
2008-11-02, 18:39
The most common method I've seen for controlling the temperature of homebrewed goods, aside from having a good basement or cellar with a steady cool, is to modify an old refrigerator. DIY could probably help you a good bit there, but I'd do a Google search first.

Siatek
2008-11-05, 18:27
If the containers were left outside during the cold period, properly covered of course to protect against insects and the elements would that do the job?

Bckpckr
2008-11-05, 18:52
I would strongly recommend against it. The outdoors means highly variable temperatures, and not only is yeast semi-picky about what temperatures at which it initiates and continues the fermentation process, but a steady favored temperature means a better tasting product.

Find an old refrigerator on Craigslist and convert it to a brewing chamber. There's plenty of articles to be found online, and a refrigerator from craigslist might come free for the labor!

Toothlessjoe
2008-11-06, 13:58
Find an old refrigerator on Craigslist and convert it to a brewing chamber. There's plenty of articles to be found online, and a refrigerator from craigslist might come free for the labor!

This. You want to remain consistant when brewing.

Bckpckr
2008-11-06, 16:36
This. You want to remain consistant when brewing.
And very scientific. Brewing is an art form but the science brings it together.

Siatek
2008-11-06, 21:49
How do other home-brewers acheive the temperature control? It seems unrealistic to be running a fridge big enough to cater the containers, ordered the thermo. now but waiting for it to arrive, hopefully tha should give me a better idea.