Fermentation Fridge/Inkbird Query

[Bird Dog]

Sorry if this has been discussed elsewhere but I can't find what I'm after. Having done my first whole-grain brew, I have set up a fermentation fridge in my garage using a tubular 40W space heater. I have it set to 20 degrees +/- 0.5. Whilst the temperature is never exceeded, it seems to be maintained for a while before dropping as much as 4 degrees. Is this normal? I am presuming that the heater is getting too hot and is switching off before resetting. The instructions did say that the device was not suitable for being connected to devices that switch it on and off. Do they all say that? I was thinking I might be better off with hanging a reptile heat mat in the fridge. Am I right in thinking that the temperature dropping a bit is not the end of the world and that getting too high is worse. In the absence of a thermowell, the probe is measuring air temperature so I am presuming that the brew will not be changing much given the high specific heat capacity of water. Any advice appreciated.

 

[Benfleet Brewery]

Where is your temperature probe? It should be attached to the fermenter and, ideally, insulated from the outside so that it is reading the temperature of the contents of the fermenter and not the air surrounding it.

 

[Clint]

What he said. I tape a chunk of foam to the fv and stuff the probe behind it.

 

[Bird Dog]

Thanks. I've done with a brew belt when fermenting wine in the house. I had presumed the fridge was more controlled being contained.

 

[MashBag]

Try it. You might also like to install a small fan. This could be air lamination.

Hot air rises and stops. So control depends on the height of your probe in that air.

I personally prefer direct heating/cooling for this reason.

An Rc4 temp logger with tell you what going on too. Brilliant diag tool.

 

[Clint]

The fv will generate heat once it gets going. I hardly ever see the fridge switching on.

 

[MashBag]

Yes indeed. I personally don't like the things.

In the uk you only need cooling in the height of summer. Popping your fv in a confined space and then shutting the door only exacerbates the problem thus needing more and more control to regulate. And more energy & 'stuff'