Fermenting fridge - is this OK?

[Baz Chaz]

Morning gang,

Really dumb question time, sorted out heater yesterday fitted and ready.

Re Inkbird 308 standard model, which I'm looking to order.

Is it really as simple and straightforward as it looks? or have I missed something? Although some of the best designed things are just that, simple!

I assume .... Put the temp probe into fridge, plug heater and fridge into Inkbird. When starting off fermentation set heat at say 22 deg, leave until fermentation finished then re set Inkbird to say 4 deg to cool for x number of days.

Like I said, it seems so obvious that the question is pretty dumb, but occasionally I overthink things!

 

[Galena]

Those of you with 2 brews in the same fridge, I am wanting to do this but I usually do ramped temperature fermentation so wondering how many of you do this and how you manage it with 2 brews?

 

[LPD1979]

Morning gang,

Really dumb question time, sorted out heater yesterday fitted and ready.

Re Inkbird 308 standard model, which I'm looking to order.

Is it really as simple and straightforward as it looks? or have I missed something? Although some of the best designed things are just that, simple!

I assume .... Put the temp probe into fridge, plug heater and fridge into Inkbird. When starting off fermentation set heat at say 22 deg, leave until fermentation finished then re set Inkbird to say 4 deg to cool for x number of days.

Like I said, it seems so obvious that the question is pretty dumb, but occasionally I overthink things!

Yes it is really that easy

Although I would suggest that you attach the temperature probe to the outside of the fermentation vessel and protect it with either bubble wrap or polystyrene foam over it to allow it to read a more accurate temperature. Remember the centre of the fermenting wort will be 1 to 2 degrees hotter due to yeast activity, but you can easily calibrate the inkbird to allow for this (just follow the instructions with the inkbird)

Hope this helps and happy brewing :small

 

[Baz Chaz]

Yes it is really that easy

Although I would suggest that you attach the temperature probe to the outside of the fermentation vessel and protect it with either bubble wrap or polystyrene foam over it to allow it to read a more accurate temperature. Remember the centre of the fermenting wort will be 1 to 2 degrees hotter due to yeast activity, but you can easily calibrate the inkbird to allow for this (just follow the instructions with the inkbird)

Hope this helps and happy brewing :small

Thanks for that, nice to hear that it is exactly as thought and as simple!

Cheers

 

[stan.distortion]

Those of you with 2 brews in the same fridge, I am wanting to do this but I usually do ramped temperature fermentation so wondering how many of you do this and how you manage it with 2 brews?

Do you mean like a split vertical fridge freezer or a single tall larder fridge? I've no idea for the larder fridge but a split fridge freezer works surprisingly well here, the fridge section can be in the mid 20s and the freezer close to zero without seeming to effect each other. I'm guessing I struck lucky with that, as far as I can tell it ran the freezer at a fixed temperature and circulated air from there to the fridge part governed by the fridge thermostat. All that's disconnected now, no air ducts blocked up and it works fine, ramping down the freezer doesn't seem to make any extra work for the heater in the fridge side but maybe other fridge freezers don't work the same way.

 

[Galena]

Do you mean like a split vertical fridge freezer or a single tall larder fridge? I've no idea for the larder fridge but a split fridge freezer works surprisingly well here, the fridge section can be in the mid 20s and the freezer close to zero without seeming to effect each other. I'm guessing I struck lucky with that, as far as I can tell it ran the freezer at a fixed temperature and circulated air from there to the fridge part governed by the fridge thermostat. All that's disconnected now, no air ducts blocked up and it works fine, ramping down the freezer doesn't seem to make any extra work for the heater in the fridge side but maybe other fridge freezers don't work the same way.

I meant in a tall larder fridge
2 parts to my question I suppose
1) If I have the lower FV with an insulated inkbird will the temperature in the second FV match pretty close or will the fluctuation be a problem?
2)f I move temp up 1 deg a day from say 17 - 20 and then hold at 20 degrees how do I start another brew at 17 degrees?
I suppose as I have 2 brewfridges I could start in the second fridge and transfer once they are both on the same temperature, sorry if that sounds a bit convoluted.

 

[Merkin]

Is it really as simple and straightforward as it looks? or have I missed something? Although some of the best designed things are just that, simple!

I gained an Inkbird among a load of brewing gear I bought when just setting up again. I have pretty limited space at the moment, and the Inkbird has made everything so much more practical.
I think I would go for the wi-fi version if I was to buy one new - wife is fed up with me walking in front of the TV to check my temps!

 

[BeerCat]

The problem with glass shelves is the plastic on them. It breaks. Luckily i was there to catch it.

 

[BeerCat]

@Galena I have 2 fermenters in a tall fridge. The top one is roughly 1c higher. I use a heat mat on each with the bottom one connected to the fridge as well. Works fine, you probably dont need another inkbird but its handy to check with.

 

[Galena]

@Galena I have 2 fermenters in a tall fridge. The top one is roughly 1c higher. I use a heat mat on each with the bottom one connected to the fridge as well. Works fine, you probably dont need another inkbird but its handy to check with.

Thank you, that could be manageable I guess I should get myself a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the upper area of the fridge and see how it compares.

 

[NPi]

Thank you, that could be manageable I guess I should get myself a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the upper area of the fridge and see how it compares.

Consider installing a PC fan to the fridge, this would help circulate the air and give you a consistent temperature across the fridge.

 

[BeerCat]

Thank you, that could be manageable I guess I should get myself a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the upper area of the fridge and see how it compares.

Tape your probe onto the top one for half an hour and you will see. Today the difference in mine reads 0.7c. If you use heat mats/belts you don't need a fan.
I am referring to fermenting lower and ambient temp.

 

[Galena]

Consider installing a PC fan to the fridge, this would help circulate the air and give you a consistent temperature across the fridge.

Yes, something Ive been meaning to do, is that a USB fan? So would I need an extension usb cable to run it out to a socket?

 

[Galena]

Tape your probe onto the top one for half an hour and you will see. Today the difference in mine reads 0.7c. If you use heat mats/belts you don't need a fan.
I am referring to fermenting lower and ambient temp.

Great thanks, I will give that a try

 

[Baz Chaz]

Inkbird arrived yesterday, couldn't be easier to set up!

Brewday looming later this week

 

[rocketman_k]

After watching this I'd be happy enough with just propping up the overhanging edge.

I've recently totally changed my views on using 'fridge glass shelves to support 23litre FVs...............I've been happily using my fermenting 'fridge with two fermenters, the bottom one supported on a wooden shelf above the compressor (where the salad drawer usually fits) and the second one on a glass shelf above. I've never had a problem but in the space of two weeks our motorhome grill door shattered with no provocation and a friends TV stand exploded, again with no provocation. What do these things have in common with 'fridge shelves?.....I believe they are all made of toughened glass, so it seems to be a material than can be unpredictable. I've now replaced my top shelf with wood......................

 

[Benfleet Brewery]

I've recently totally changed my views on using 'fridge glass shelves to support 23lite FVs...............I've been happily using my fermenting 'fridge with two fermenters, the bottom one supported on a wooden shelf above the compressor (where the salad drawer usually fits) and the second one on a glass shelf above. I've never had a problem but in the space of two weeks our motorhome grill door shattered with no provocation and a friends TV stand exploded, again with no provocation. What do these things have in common with 'fridge shelves?.....I believe they are all made of toughened glass, so it seems to be a material than can be unpredictable. I've now replaced my top shelf with wood......................

Funny you should say that. I had a call from our office cleaning manager two weeks ago who told me he was just standing next to a full height 10mm toughened glass door at our office and it just “exploded“. He assured me he didn’t even touch it but I thought he must have done and is just trying to cover himself. However, we rewound the CCTV to the point just before it went and could clearly see it just shattered for no reason. BTW, even before this, I’ve always used timber supports under the shelf in my brew fridge

 

[Merkin]

Funny old stuff, glass.

Last week, I dropped a bottle of Merkin's Olde Muddy and Murky out of the fridge, which then proceeded a series of manoeuvres on the granite floor that Barnes Wallis would have been proud of.

Left it outside to settle overnight fearing the worst, and next day enjoyed the beer, albeit a little lively.

 

[Mayor of Simpleton]

The problem with glass shelves is the plastic on them. It breaks. Luckily i was there to catch it.

Yep. I wasn't there to catch mine. Que a dented ss brewtech brewbucket, ipa and glass all over the kitchen floor. I have since built a wooden shelf for my brew fridge.

 

[Baz Chaz]

The problem with glass shelves is the plastic on them. It breaks. Luckily i was there to catch it.

I'd taken out the shelves in my brewfridge to clean them and one of the plastic supporting lugs snapped, not much pressure on it, just went. Luckily had some 5mm right angle beading left over from a job. Replaced all the plastic bits, it must simply deteriorate over time.