Newbie to brewing, send help!

[Chief]

Hi guys, I’m in need of some help.

I received a coopers home brew kit for Xmas and decided to start it last wednesday night. Anyway to cut a long story short I’m now in a position where my brew’s temperature has dropped to 14 degrees.

My questions are, is it now ruined and I’m best to discard it and start again?

Or can I heat it up in some way shape or form so it can finish fermentation?

Any help would be welcomed.

Thanks

The chief

 

[terrym]

At 14*C your brew is at what is probably the lower temperature limit for most kit yeasts used on their own. If its the Euro lager or the Pilsner kit you have, they come with lager yeast and you might have a slightly better chance of keeping it going.
You should be aiming for 18*C minimum. If you haven't got a place that will sustain that then your options are, a heat pad under the FV, a brew fridge, a heat belt or a water bath. I use a water bath, see here How to Set up a Water Bath for your FV - The HomeBrew Forum. Wilko sell brewing heat pads but they dont come cheap. My only other suggestion is to do what I did once which was to rig up a heat lamp to a timer and have it switching on and off at 15 minute intervals, but that was far from ideal. And remember that its no good wrapping your FV up with a blanket, that only works for a time until all the heat is lost, you are already in that position.
Finally whatever you do, if you want to keep your beer, keep the lid on until its sorted one way or another.

 

[Chief]

Thank you for your help.

Forgive my ignorance,
So if I decide to move it to another place to potentially keep a maintained heat will that affect my brew?

Can I leave it at 14 and leave it to ferment for longer?

I am very green on the whole thing.

 

[Clint]

With non specific yeast the lower temp could “stall” the fermentation which could lead to problems later on. Moving the brew will not harm it.

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
As @terrym wrote, 14°C is at the very limit of the yeast's temperature range. The yeast will begin to go to sleep. However, it is not ruined.
It will not affect your brew to move the FV to a warmer place (but it might affect your back). The thing to beware of is moving it to a place that's too warm.

 

[Chief]

Thank you very much. I’ll move my brew tonight and post my findings.

Thanks for the help.

 

[OlsBean]

I'm a Newbie also! I started back last October and maintaining temperature during Primary Fermentation was something I was concerned about as I am brewing in a old Outbuilding but I have had great success with temperature control using a Heating Belt and an InkBird Temperature Controller, so much so that I have invested some Amazon Vouchers I had for Christmas in another set! I've also found a using old jackets to insulate the FV helps.

 

[Chief]

Thanks for that it’s really helpful!

Right, so I have moved my brew to a warmer place and it is now at 18 deg. And has been consistent for a few days now. How much longer should I leave it before I bottle?

 

[Dutto]

Welcome to the Forum. :thumb1:

Started on the 11th January I wouldn't even look at it until the 25th. In view of the slow start and assuming that there is no activity to be seen at the air-lock I suggest that leaving it a few extra days; say until the 27th. At that time, if the SG is at 1.010 or below it will be time to bottle it. :thumb1: Enjoy!

 

[Chief]

Lovely job!

Thanks for your help!