If the temperature of a brew fluctuates below to within ideal temp range, will this affect the finished product? I own a heating belt but don't really want to use it for fear of temp becoming too high. The temp is around 20-25 during the day and occassionally will fall below 18 (degrees celsius) overnight.
Any advice would be appreciated.
The brew is:
Coopers Mexican Cerveca (don't know the spelling)
Kit yeast
Just >1kg of sugar.
I realise this is a crude brew but it is what the missus wanted, I couldn't convince her to add anything else.
Temp Variation
Re: Temp Variation
Cookie,
At the moment it is perfect brewing temps for anyone without temp control. Remember you are trying to get 18C for any ale that you make (and should be lower for the cerveca), so i would suggest not even worrying about the heating pad, and just wrap the fermenter in a blanket to reduce the effect of the temp fluctuations. The fermentation process always produces heat, and the 25L of beer should only drop a couple of degrees at most during the night.
If you do want to mess around with a heating pad, may i suggest buying a timer so it will only turn on for 15/30 minutes at a time, and experiment to see what times you need to have it on as not to increase the temps too much.
I used to have my heating pad come on for about 15 minutes 5 times a night, and it wouldnt even turn on during the day. I used this in conjuction with an old wet suit that i cut up to fit the fermenter nicely, and i managed to get 18-20 for the majority of the fermentation (but this was the middle of winter). not now...
At the moment it is perfect brewing temps for anyone without temp control. Remember you are trying to get 18C for any ale that you make (and should be lower for the cerveca), so i would suggest not even worrying about the heating pad, and just wrap the fermenter in a blanket to reduce the effect of the temp fluctuations. The fermentation process always produces heat, and the 25L of beer should only drop a couple of degrees at most during the night.
If you do want to mess around with a heating pad, may i suggest buying a timer so it will only turn on for 15/30 minutes at a time, and experiment to see what times you need to have it on as not to increase the temps too much.
I used to have my heating pad come on for about 15 minutes 5 times a night, and it wouldnt even turn on during the day. I used this in conjuction with an old wet suit that i cut up to fit the fermenter nicely, and i managed to get 18-20 for the majority of the fermentation (but this was the middle of winter). not now...
I freely admit that I was Very Very Drunk....
"They speak of my drinking, but never consider my thirst."
Re: Temp Variation
Cookie, are you measuring the air temp or wort temp?
Re: Temp Variation
Wort temp. (Stick on thermometer)
Re: Temp Variation
Seems hard to believe the temperature of the wort could chage from 25 to 18 and back again in 24 hours! Where do you live?
Re: Temp Variation
In Perth. These readings are not exact, just a range I have seen. Will there be ill effects from such temperature drops?
Re: Temp Variation
use a blanket... you'll be fine
I freely admit that I was Very Very Drunk....
"They speak of my drinking, but never consider my thirst."
Re: Temp Variation
Thanks. I've got an old wettie lying around, might cut that to size like you did. I didn't want to throw the wetti out, I knew I could use it for something.
Re: Temp Variation
so where abouts are you located in Perth? North or South of the river? I heard you work/worked at little creatures?
I freely admit that I was Very Very Drunk....
"They speak of my drinking, but never consider my thirst."
Re: Temp Variation
North Freo. Still work at Little Creatures but in the bar. Not brewing, unfortunately.