Brewing in the garage

[Gerryjo]

i like the sound of the fridge, ive got another fridge for cooling, so in theory could i not use a broken fridge with the heating element and just use it for the fermentation phase? thanks

If you have another fridge for cooling why not just use that for both using the inkbird??

 

[Drunkula]

My heater is a desk lamp with a 100 watt lightbulb and computer fan blue tacked to the base that blows across the bulb.

 

[chrissy83 brews]

If you have another fridge for cooling why not just use that for both using the inkbird??

because i also use that for other stuff that i need to keep cold at all times. cheers though.

 

[chuffer]

With a heat mat does the probe sit in the wort and the wire through the airlock hole or taped to the FV?

I dont use the heat mat but my inkbird probe (i bought the extra long type) goes through the lid of my fv via bung/grommet for a tight seal and then into the brew. Not had any probs doing it this way but the probe always gets a damn good clean and sanitize first.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

I dont use the heat mat but my inkbird probe (i bought the extra long type) goes through the lid of my fv via bung/grommet for a tight seal and then into the brew. Not had any probs doing it this way but the probe always gets a damn good clean and sanitize first.

Thanks I'll do that.

 

[chuffer]

i like the sound of the fridge, ive got another fridge for cooling, so in theory could i not use a broken fridge with the heating element and just use it for the fermentation phase? thanks

That's pretty much how mine works (i.e. mainly switching between being heated and not being heated as required to keep it 20oC)....but i do switch it to cooling when i crash cool and/or the rare occasion when the garage is too warm

 

[Banbeer]

With a heat mat does the probe sit in the wort and the wire through the airlock hole or taped to the FV?

Cheshire, I made a thermowell with a demijohn bung and the tube of an old bottling wand, just have to heat up the tube one end and crimp it with pliers to seal the end that's going to be in the wort. Temp probe sits in the thermowell and gives a very accurate reading and not in contact with the wort.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Cheshire, I made a thermowell with a demijohn bung and the tube of an old bottling wand, just have to heat up the tube one end and crimp it with pliers to seal the end that's going to be in the wort. Temp probe sits in the thermowell and gives a very accurate reading and not in contact with the wort.

Do you therefore have 2 holes in your FV lid one for the airlock and one for the thermowell?

 

[Futureboy77]

I used to be forced to keep the FV's in the garage. I used a builders bucket with a fish tank heater as the main issue was keeping temps warm enough.
A divorce sorted that out and the FV's now live in the house! Ambient temp is pretty ideal for brewing ales and I seldom drink anything else.
A brew fridge may work out cheaper for you in the long run mind you!

 

[Banbeer]

Do you therefore have 2 holes in your FV lid one for the airlock and one for the thermowell?

Yes I have 3 FV's like this now and they are all airtight. If you want a picture let me know.

 

[rolando]

Yes I have 3 FV's like this now and they are all airtight. If you want a picture let me know.

I'd be interested in how you did this, thanks!

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Yes I have 3 FV's like this now and they are all airtight. If you want a picture let me know.

Picture yes please

 

[Banbeer]

Picture yes please

I'll post pictures tomorrow if I have time...........haha

 

[Banbeer]

I'd be interested in how you did this, thanks!

Picture yes please

Here you go. First picture I basically I used a Demijohn bung(the type with a hole in)also an airlock grommet as shown in the three pictures after and a length of tubing from an old little bottling wand, forced the tube into the bung(tight fit)and used my soldering iron to plastic weld the end(that's why it looks dirty because it is burnt). On the ones that are in the fridge fermenting I did the same but to seal the end of the tube I got it as hot as possible and got a pair of pliers to crimp the end while it was hot and this sealed them.Used them this way for about 8-9 years without any problems, airlocks work fine etc etc.

 

[eyuptm]

Yes the fridge needs to work as it's the cooling side of things and just look on eBay or Amazon for greenhouse heating tubes

Someone on here said the heaters were better quality (Dimplex??) and cheaper from Toolstation, who do free next day delivery, for a minimum order, can't remember what the minimum is, sorry!!

 

[StoutWolf]

I've just started brewing and have similar problems with my FV needing to be in a cool place. I'm using an immersion heater directly in the FV with the cable running through an additional hole in the airlock bung. Downside of this approach is that you need to sterilise the Immersion heater and cable below the bung. Upside is no need for a seperate waterbath and the FV can more easily be insulated. I was also concerned whether the waterbath approach might raise the humdity in its vicinity, which I didn't want.

 

[terrym]

I'm using an immersion heater directly in the FV with the cable running through an additional hole in the airlock bung. Downside of this approach is that you need to sterilise the Immersion heater and cable below the bung. Upside is no need for a seperate waterbath and the FV can more easily be insulated. I was also concerned whether the waterbath approach might raise the humdity in its vicinity, which I didn't want.

1. I have never been keen on the idea of a hot immersion heater surface 'cooking' my fermenting beer, so I use a water bath...
2. ... from which there is very little water loss over a two week period so negligible humidity gain to the local environment (if that was a concern) .....
3. .....although it does all get covered with several layers of old towels, which work well as insulation.

 

[StoutWolf]

1. I have never been keen on the idea of a hot immersion heater surface 'cooking' my beer, so I use a water bath...
2. ... from which there is very little water loss over a two week period so negligible humidity gain to the local environment (if that was a concern) .....
3. .....although it does all get covered with several layers of old towels, which work well as insulation.

Thanks for the feedback - point 2 in particular, since I've been wondering about adopting that approach to use the heater to run multiple smaller wine ferments at the same time and the local humidity is a concern for me.

 

[Cheshire Cat]

Here you go. First picture I basically I used a Demijohn bung(the type with a hole in)also an airlock grommet as shown in the three pictures after and a length of tubing from an old little bottling wand, forced the tube into the bung(tight fit)and used my soldering iron to plastic weld the end(that's why it looks dirty because it is burnt). On the ones that are in the fridge fermenting I did the same but to seal the end of the tube I got it as hot as possible and got a pair of pliers to crimp the end while it was hot and this sealed them.Used them this way for about 8-9 years without any problems, airlocks work fine etc etc.
View attachment 25176View attachment 25174View attachment 25175View attachment 25173

Thanks for that

 

[Berrylands Brewer]

I have two fridges for fermenting and maturing , both with heaters and thermostatically controlled with this £10 unit from eBay; Digital Temperature Thermostat STC-1000 Controller -50℃~110℃ Heating Cooling UK | eBay
They work really well.
Old larder fridges can normally be picked up for free and are easily modified.

Hi, ive just started my first brew, i was planning on doing it all in the garage, however it gets really cold at night and so ive had to bring it into the house, (which is not pleasing he missus), has anyone made something simple to use in their garage to allow fermentation, without having a blower on all the time which is expensive? TIA