Fermentation temp control

[CrystalShip]

So I just got back from a deployment and moved into a new townhouse with a garage! I'm stoked about the new man cave/ brew location, but I live in northern Washington and the temps are in the low fifties in the garage, which is about the only place that I have to ferment in. What types of temperature control devices do you all use? I have seen the brewbelt thing, but is there any control of the temperature ? I don't want to continuously monitor and adjust things. I would like to find a way to keep the bucket in the low 60's. Thanks!

 

[SpeedYellow]

Screw the brewbelt -- make lagers!! Count yourself lucky.

If you MUST do ales, one option would be to put the fermenter in a water bath (party bucket) then use a submersible (aquarium style) heater attached to a thermostat. I'm sure guys must do that. The easier but probably less accurate way would be brewbelt or seed germination mat plugged into a thermostat, with the probe insulated & taped to the fermenter. Seems prone to error, though.

 

[pelipen]

If you can enclose a space, a lightbulb and a fan will work.

 

[lemy]

This is what I use:

 

[Phunhog]

+1 to using an aquarium heater with a built in thermostat in bucket of water. It works great and is cheaper than just about anything else. In fact I actually have 3 aquarium heaters. If you do multiple batches it will let you keep the fermentation at just the right temperature for each individual beer.

 

[kylevester]

An enclosed space will do nicely. My brother built one with simple 1.5" or 2" thick insulation and a light bulb hooked up to a temperature controller. If you have a spare fridge that'll fit you fermenter, that'll work even better.

Get yourself an aquarium temperature controller and make an enclosed space and you're golden.

 

[maffewl]

I would just find a box that can be sealed such as a cooler or even a build your own... a refrigerator would be even better (what I use), and plug a black light bulb into the heat end of a temperature controller and let the fridge control the cooling end. Place a shirt over your carboy so no light gets through and you are golden. See my sig for building a temp controller or search for androids "ebay temp controller" post.