Water based fermentation temp control

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Barr
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Re: Water based fermentation temp control

Post by Barr » Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:18 pm

Great points Cornelius. I have been using my laser thermometer to read the carboy and water temps and it's staying very close but that is not with an active ferment on the go. I guess I'm counting on the water drawing away the heat from the ferment. I believe water will do this more efficiently than air. I know in a air based refrigerator ferment chamber they suggest to fix the probe to the carboy and not in the air.

Once I have a actual ferment I'll have to experiment. I'll share what I find.
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CorneliusAlphonse
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Re: Water based fermentation temp control

Post by CorneliusAlphonse » Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:28 pm

Yup just something to play with!
planning: beer for my cousin's wedding
Fermenting: black ipa
Conditioning:
Kegged: barrel barleywine from 2014 - i think i still have this somewhere

Barr
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Re: Water based fermentation temp control

Post by Barr » Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:42 pm

Yeah a thermowell might be a good way to go. To start off I just went simple and hung the wire down with the tip of the probe in the water. I think it will require some tinkering for sure to dial it in. The probe does seem to read the same temp as my laser thermometer that shoots through to the bottom. The force of the water coming out of the hose does seem to stir the water up very well. Kind of exciting playing with what seems to be a new method.
Tap 1: Little Pup Pale Ale
Tap 2: Orange Ya Glad I Said Light Beer?
Tap 3: Roof Top Rye-It
Tap 4: Straberry Vanilla Wine Soda
Tap 5: Big Brown Roof Hound

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CorneliusAlphonse
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Re: Water based fermentation temp control

Post by CorneliusAlphonse » Wed Sep 24, 2014 9:44 pm

Yeah I think as long as you get your wort to the term temp, keeping the bath at that temp it should be enough to keep it there pretty accurately.
planning: beer for my cousin's wedding
Fermenting: black ipa
Conditioning:
Kegged: barrel barleywine from 2014 - i think i still have this somewhere

ackes
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Re: Water based fermentation temp control

Post by ackes » Wed Jan 10, 2018 2:27 pm

Have a question with regards to this topic and this is the closest thread that I couldn't find - so thought I would post here.

Wonder what peoples opinions are about placement of STC1000 probe? - when using fermentation chamber (mine's a simple 4.4 cu bar fridge - with a paint can and light bulb for heat source).

- Best to tape probe to outside of carboy or bucket and insulate with towel?
- Place carboy or bucket in water (as per this thread) and measure temp of surrounding water?
- Place probe directly (sanitized, prior) into wort / beer ? I'm assuming this would be best (direct temperature of fermentation environment) - Any concerns placing probe in direct contact with beer / wort?
- or, not going to make enough appreciable difference between all choices above - when doing 5 - 6G batches.
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LeafMan66_67
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Re: Water based fermentation temp control

Post by LeafMan66_67 » Thu Jan 11, 2018 7:05 pm

I have the 4.4 cu ft fridge with paint can heater for fermentation control. I tape and insulate the probe on the side of the fermenter. A while back, I checked temperature in a thermowell vs taped to the side of the fermenter and came up with the same results.

Now, when i use the fermentation chamber to hold extra beer, or when holding a couple of kegs, the probe is in a sealed jar of star san.

EDIT: I wouldn't trust adding a probe directly to my wort, No matter how clean I thought I got it.

Hope This helps.
"He was a wise man who invented beer." - Plato

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