I am stuck with two less than idea temp control situations and want to know which is best for ale.
Case 1: No temp control. The ambient temp is usually between 68 and 70. My fermometer on the side of the ale pale reaches between 74 and 76 and stays there for 3 to 4 days (though I suspect the inside temp is several degrees higher) then temps slowly fall back to room temp.
Case 2: I do the water bath method. I can really only count on being there to add ice in the morning or evening, so frequent micro adjustments are not possible. The water temp will slowly rise and fall between 57 and 64 over the course of about 12 hours. The fermentation temp probably changes slightly less due to the insulation of the bucket.
So given these two alternatives which is likely to result in the best fermentation. The fermentation on the warm side or the cooler fermentation with larger temp swings?
Case 1: No temp control. The ambient temp is usually between 68 and 70. My fermometer on the side of the ale pale reaches between 74 and 76 and stays there for 3 to 4 days (though I suspect the inside temp is several degrees higher) then temps slowly fall back to room temp.
Case 2: I do the water bath method. I can really only count on being there to add ice in the morning or evening, so frequent micro adjustments are not possible. The water temp will slowly rise and fall between 57 and 64 over the course of about 12 hours. The fermentation temp probably changes slightly less due to the insulation of the bucket.
So given these two alternatives which is likely to result in the best fermentation. The fermentation on the warm side or the cooler fermentation with larger temp swings?