Where do you brew your brew?

[BrianG]

So my first brew is finishing up and ready to be bottled, a coopers IPA. I brewed it in my garage and the temperature fluctuated
between 14 - 18 degrees. According to the Cooper's Kit Yeast thread I should have had it at 18-20.

As I said yesterday in a different thread, I'm going to be doing the coopers stout next. But I'm wondering should I move my brew into the house?

Where do people brew their brew?

[Garry]

I presume you mean where do you let the beer ferment as opposed to where do you make the beer?

It depends on the season for me. My fermenters have been in the garage since June/July. I'll have to move them back into the house around November to stop them freezing!

Invest in a heat belt and STC-1000 temperature controller.

[BrianG]

I seen people talking about STC 1000, are they hard to wire up?

[Garry]

If you can wire a plug 

Have a look at this thread for a wiring diagram.

[LordEoin]

It's very easy to do.
I bought mine from here: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Automatic-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat-DC-12V-Control-STC-1000-/251065391337?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a74a9d8e9
You can go mad with switches, fuses, etc too if you're into that kind of thing

The hardest part is deciding what box to use 

Regarding where to ferment.. Find somewhere that will hold the temperature steady at around 18-20C. It's getting cold at night, so it might be good to move it indoors. Keep it away from windows etc.

[Eoin]

Check out fortex on eBay, they do wired up units.

Sent using a complex system of semaphore and ninjas.

[ColMack]

It's very easy to do.
I bought mine from here: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Automatic-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat-DC-12V-Control-STC-1000-/251065391337?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a74a9d8e9
You can go mad with switches, fuses, etc too if you're into that kind of thing

LordEoin, is the probe you get with this waterproof?  Can it be used in a HLT when heating up water?

To stick with the thread, I ferment in the garage in summer and in the back kitchen (has radiator) or under the stairs in winter.  I don't have any temp control but it doesn't affect my enjoyment of the beers I brew.

[LordEoin]

Yes, the STC1000 probe is waterproof.
If you have an electric HLT I'd strap it to the side.

[@geterbrewed]

BrianG,

We brew in the utility room, throughout the summer months the temperature is high enough that you don't require any form of heating. In the Autumn/Winter I would recommend that you get a brew belt; http://www.geterbrewed.com/brew-belt-universal-usage-1.0kg, depending on where you position the belt on your fermenter will determine the temperature

Regards

[Ciderhead]

It's very easy to do.
I bought mine from here: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Automatic-Digital-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat-DC-12V-Control-STC-1000-/251065391337?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a74a9d8e9
You can go mad with switches, fuses, etc too if you're into that kind of thing

LordEoin, is the probe you get with this waterproof?  Can it be used in a HLT when heating up water?

To stick with the thread, I ferment in the garage in summer and in the back kitchen (has radiator) or under the stairs in winter.  I don't have any temp control but it doesn't affect my enjoyment of the beers I brew.

I insert my probe into one of these in the HLt  directly opposite the tap so I have a pretty accurate representation on temp.
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/probe-of-temperature-sensor-for-water-tank-sensor-tube-for-solar-water-heater-/121149284612?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item1c350f6104

Used thermal paste for heat transfer but really not necessary and messy.

I brew in the shed and ferment in the temp controlled fridge after I was sick of hearing "get your ucking plastic buckets out of here", and "did you you fart, who farted?" er thats me cider luv .

[BrianG]

Has anyone tried using a water bucket with an aquarium heater. Seem like it could be a real simple solution.

[Eoin]

Has anyone tried using a water bucket with an aquarium heater. Seem like it could be a real simple solution.

It's certainly better than putting a heater directly in beer. I use an old chest freezer hooked up to a pre-wired atc-800+
Because it's a freezer it doubles for lagering. I used a fridge with bypassed thermostat before but it burned the motor out in a few months due to being pushed too hard.

Sent using a complex system of semaphore and ninjas.

[David]

I use a fermenter inside a fermenter with an aquarium heater. The heater is placed on the bottom of a fermenter sitting under a  3 inch high rack with the fermenter sitting on top. the outer fermenter filled as high as I dare with water. I wrap the lot in an old sleeping bag in a cold kitchen.
my temps seem to remain very steady with all my brews last winter according to the stick on thermometers.

[ColinC]

I use a fermenter inside a fermenter with an aquarium heater. The heater is placed on the bottom of a fermenter sitting under a  3 inch high rack with the fermenter sitting on top. the outer fermenter filled as high as I dare with water. I wrap the lot in an old sleeping bag in a cold kitchen.
my temps seem to remain very steady with all my brews last winter according to the stick on thermometers.

Any chance of a pic?

[David]

I'll try get something done over the weekend


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