Fermentation Temp Control advice

[GeordieBrewer]

Morning all,

I'm about to attempt my 5th batch and i'm after a little advice regarding fermentation temp. control. The first 5 batches have all been drinkable (surprisingly so) but i've had issues with fermentation stopping and/or running away and finishing super quickly. I live in a large old house and the temperature control of the central heating is a little.. sporadic (to the the least!!!) I think the temp swings are killing my fermentation cycle.

So, my plan is to ferment in an unheated room in the house or the garage and use some sort of temperature control device... from what I understand I have a couple of options:

External heater - Belt or mat
Internal heater - Immersion heater

I'm assuming the Belt/Mat dont really 'control' the temperature but would keep my vessel warm, so I was planning on investing some of my well earned cash into an Immerison heat so I can 'set' the temperature and therefore control it well, however does the additional heat around the Immerision kill some of the yeast off??

Anyway all advice greatly accepted, including models or brands that have worked well for you in the past... I'm not after the cheapest option possible (or the most expensive) but a compramise that will give me blacksheep ale quality results!!

Thanks in advance for the help
Ian

 

[A T]

Right now i'm using an ATC 800 with a light bulb for heating in one of my cupboards and it works fine and is an inexpensive way to control temperature, there is better ways. I can't remember how Vossy and Aleman do theirs but it's far superior to how i do it, i'm sure they'll be along soon

 

[Frisp]

You could take a look at Vossy's Fermenting cupboard setup Here
Or you could research making a fermentation fridge using an ATC800. An ATC 800 controls hot and cold circuits. So the fridge is controlled by the cold circuit and the heating circuit is a low wattage lightbulb or heater tube placed insid ethe fridge. Once setup the whole lot just click on and off to +/- 1C ish.
Stick ATC800 into Fleabay or you could look Here
Beat me to it AT

 

[Aleman]

I would not use a belt or heating mat without some form of temperature control.

The ATC 800 is a great device, but has a major limitation for me in that it won't go below 5C so cannot be used for lagering (Not that it has stopped me buying one . . . Its Still sat under the stairs waiting for me to do something with it . . . I'm fine as long as She doesn't find it :twisted:

There is a device from Forttex called the TC-10 which removes that limitation and for 28 quid is a pretty good deal . . . NAYYY

Of course there is also the excellent TempMate From Craftbrewer in Aus which has the advantage of having a much higher temp range than the TC-10 . . . Although I do believe that Neil is reworking the electronics to do just this . . . which means it can be used for a HLT / HERMS Setup

Edit: and if you register on the site before the end of march . . . you stand a chance of winning one for free :party: :party: :party:

 

[Frisp]

Although I do believe that Neil is reworking the electronics to do just this . . . which means it can be used for a HLT / HERMS Setup

Do you mean he is reworking the TC-10? If he is that sounds interesting....

 

[GeordieBrewer]

Great - thanks!!

I take it the ATC 800 is just the 'control' element'... so I would need to purchase a 'heater' also.... are they difficult to wire up etc or some basic knowledge woudl be enough?

Finally - has anyone ever tried using a 'all-in-one' immersion heater designed for an aquarium?

Ian

 

[Frisp]

I found teh ACT fairly easy to wire but the wiring diagram which came with it was useless . I found a diagram on here (I think) somone will post it if you want it.
I too thought about using an aquarium heater but I shied away as some of the thinking is that it can create a hotspot in your wort. I dont know if thats true or not.

If you are fermenting is a small space ll you will need is a lightbulb in a socket as your heat source...

 

[Aleman]

Ian, yes you will need to purchase a heater as well . . . I use a Demijohn heater on my FV. . . . If all you are interested in is heating then teh Cheaper ATC300 or the ETC200-B from Fortex will do the job . . . the fortx one is more flexible as it will heat or cool . . . but not both at teh same time.

I do use an immersion stat . . . but have found setting the temperature difficult and control poor . . . so what I do with that is set the FV in a water bath and use the immersion heater in there . . . connected up to my own hand built Temperature controller.

@Frisp . . . Yes Neil has mentioned that he is thinking about extending the upper temperature range of the TC-10 . . . Or possibly producing a different unit to cope with greater than boiling.

 

[Frisp]

I do use an immersion stat . . . but have found setting the temperature difficult and control poor . . . so what I do with that is set the FV in a water bath and use the immersion heater in there

Nice one...

 

[GeordieBrewer]

Perfect!!! exactly the type of information I needed - I've been doing some 'googling' and 'ebaying' vs. all of your advice.

I think I only need heating only so a TC-10 and most likely a Demijohn mat is going to be my purchase of choice.. one day i'll find the time to build a FV home like the example in the link posted above!! WOW

I'm sure i'll be back for some more help and soon hopefully soon enough be able to share my own thoughts and advice..

Thanks all :thumb:

........ or do i go for the ATC-800 for some summer fermenting....

I'll let you know how I get on....

 

[llannige]

Hi Ian,
I ferment in a fridge using a brewbelt.
Both the fridge and the belt are controlled by a ATC 800.
Works fine for me,straight forward too.

 

[aeddon]

I currently use a immersible aquarium heater with thermostat, the temp is controled with a little nob on the top, ranging from 16c upwards. there like the wine heaters but go a little cheaper on ebay, guess cause theres more competition and more demand

 

[GeordieBrewer]

So I took the advice... My ATC 800 arrived in the post earlier in the week and I spent an enjoyable Saturday morning sat infront of Soccer AM wiring the system up!!! I decided to use a simple brew belt as the heating source...

So a batch of best bitter is now on in the kitchen and is fully wired up like a space shuttle so i'm expecting good things...

One question - how have people found the best way to seal the temp probe wire into the top of the beer barrel? I currently just have it threaded through the smallest hole possible...

I'll let you know how it turns out..

Thanks again
Ian