fermenting temps?

[Andyhull]

Im currently brewing an IPA, but am at the moment a little worried about the temp.
Our house is cold on a hot summers day so over the last few days the internal temprature has dropped to around 16c on average day time and probably a few degrees lower on a night.

What i would like to know is, what are the general thoughts for the minimum fermenting temprature of an ale yeast which is what most of us/I use and are there any detrimental byproducts or outcomes from fermenting at lower temps.

Thanks

Andy

 

[Mark1964]

Same in our house our room goes down to 15 some times and fermentation is ok. As wort ferments it generates heat so should be fine

 

[eggman]

Should be fine at that temp, as mark said it's an exothermic reaction so will warm itself slightly. I live in a mobile home and i'm fermenting without any probs at the mo, just keep a check on it though because if it drops too low you might get a stuck fermentation
:

 

[Andyhull]

Thanks for the reasuring responces guys.
Didn't want to go through the process of bottling (etc) afterwards to find that a low temp has created off flavours or something .
I'll maybe treat it to a hot water bottle on a night :grin:

SWMBO says i treat my brews better than i do her or the kids :lol:

 

[graysalchemy]

SWMBO says i treat my brews better than i do her or the kids :lol:

Nowt wrong with that :lol: :lol:

 

[farmer brown]

Ive started to use my aquarium heater set to 22c now the colder days are back.. You can pick them up for £15 and they work a treat!

 

[Sandimas]

Must admit that I prefer a slightly higher temp, dunno if it's bad luck but my brews always seem to slow right down or stop if the temp dips to 17c or below. They're much happier at the 21-23c it's been in the house during "summer".

 

[graysalchemy]

They're much happier at the 21-23c it's been in the house during "summer".

Yup and they also like switching their metabolism and producing Fusel Alcohols at the higher end of that range especially in the beginning of fermentation when the yeast are multiplying.

You should keep it below 21c to avoid fusels and funky flavours.

:thumb:

 

[PD]

For the last few months my garage has had an average air temp of 21 degrees and been perfect for fermenting in. However the weather has turned and its now dropped to around 15 degrees. The central heating boiler is in there and as that comes into play the air temps will be going up and down during each 24 hours. So I think its time to set up the water bath, aquarium heater and small pump that I've been collecting over last few months. Fv will stand in there and hopefully will keep fermenting temperatures stable.

 

[graysalchemy]

PD I would try building an insulated cupboard as well for it all to sit in. :thumb:

 

[PD]

Ain't got the space now GA otherwise I would. My garage is once again filled to bustin.

Although an insulated box type arrangement to fit over the Fv is a possibility worth looking into..........hmmmmm :whistle:

 

[Pawlo7671]

I always pitch the yeast at around 22c so I can be sure fermentation will start then over night let it drop to what ever room temp is, around 16 c as its in the shade, after initial fermentation is complete usually three or four days then I turn on the heater and let it sit at 18c for the remainder. Always works