newbie looking for temperature control advise.

[jayjaybe]

hi lads.

im an newbie from east cork.

im only getting into homebrewing and plan on buying the coopers starter kit with the canadian blonde tomorrow but im starting to panic abit about temp control, ive cleared out the shed and it has power and i was planning on getting the brew belt but after looking into it ive seen a few other methods like using an aquarium heater and putting it into a larger container with water and putting in the fermenter into it to keep a steady temp.any advise on which way to go would be much appreciated.

thanks lads.

[CH]

A knackered fridge or 5 panels of insulation would do it on the cheap.
You need a stc1000 off fleabay and a 40w conservatory heater
Don't worry about the chilling most sheds are below 16 between now and March
Use the search engine and you'll find loads of stuff about it in the archives also a how to as well

[jayjaybe]

thanks.

[nigel_c]

This time of year ambient temp is fine for ales.

[jayjaybe]

This time of year ambient temp is fine for ales.

thanks nigel.

i was thinking that but the last few mornings have been chilly,would that not have an affect?

[CH]

It's too cold in my shed to ferment atm, range is yeast dependant but 17-22 should be your standard range. You can ferment at 15 and 28 with some yeasts but not good.
Lagers can be 7-13. Lots of others factors come into play at low and high temperatures. One of the biggest pitfalls newbies present is fermenting too hot.

[LordEoin]

I don't think the problem is fermenting too hot. It's using a yeast that doesn't react well to that heat.
I'd much rather ferment hot and consistent with a brew belt and t58/wvb06/m29/m41 rather than trying to battle nature to accommodate more fiddly yeast.
Sure you'll get some crazy flavors, but just incorporate them into your recipe.
I have sufficient temperature control, but IPA fermented hot on a saison yeast is pretty common on my taps (when i get time to brew)  cos i love it.

It'd deffo improve a coopers canadian blonde kit as they're a bit bland, but the result would be far from a blonde.
But f** it,  do your best, drink it, learn from it, be more prepared next time. It's your first beer.
You're gonna drink it too green anyway.

[molc]

US-05 is a great yeast at this time of year that is very heat tolerant in both directions. The big thing is to try and keep the temperature stable. An STC, with a heater and an enclosed container with a bit of insulation will do wonders for those first beers.

My first brew was in a garage with a heatbelt and and STC and came out fairly ok. The biggest problem was the canadian blonde coopers kit I used, which just made a very bland beer.

[arrbee]

My methods for temp control range from accurate to ..., well the opposite of accurate.  lol

Method.1
When I started, I used an aquarium thermostatically controlled submersible heater suitable for the size of my brew.
I suspended it directly through the lid and had it set to 20deg.  the lowest setting.
It works well, and I still use it in winter.

Method.2
I pick a yeast that suits the ambient temp.
I also pick a location that suits the time of year.  I can brew out in an insulated shed (cooler) or upstairs in an unused un-suite. (warmer)
Often in winter I'll use lager yeasts and ambient temp in the shed which is around 10deg.

method.3
In summer I use an stc1000 + chest freezer to maintain whatever temp.

I'm about to brew a couple of ales and I think I might put them upstairs with ambient temp.
While constant temp is desirable you can still get good results if you're not super anal about temp. 
Do your best but dont overwhelm yourself when starting out.

[johnrm]

@jayjajbee where in east Cork?
I'm in Midleton.

[jayjaybe]

@jayjajbee where in east Cork?
I'm in Midleton.

im not to far away johnrm,im in carrigtwohill

[jayjaybe]

im after getting an stc and brewbelt..fingers crossed.

thanks everyone for your help,i really appreciate it.

[Water_Wolf]

I wouldn't worry too much about temperature control if you're only just starting out with kits - get a simple beer going at room temperature before you start looking at buying lots of gear!

I have an ITC-308, a brewbelt and an ancient chest freezer but I got by without them for several years.

[pob]

Have to contradict that one.

Temp control should be the 2nd bit of gear you planning to get after you get all the bits for your 1st kit, it really does make the difference.

The yeast needs to be at a constant temp for the first ~72 hours of fermenting, this is when it's at its most active with the growth phase & starting to work. The majority of the (off)flavours from the yeast are created at this stage.

Fluctuations of +-1°C can make a big difference to a yeast at this stage. Ask most brewers when/how their brewing improved & they'll more likely say when they introduced temp control.

An STC or (handier Inkbird ITC-308), an insulated cabinet (or fridge) & even heat source will give you this. This will give you consistency & improve your overall quality of brewing. Its €60-80 of your smartest brewing purchase.

[pob]

& get down to your local club - the 3rd best way to improve your brewing.

A wealth of experience & knowledge (& tasty brews) to draw from.