41 replies to this topic

[SchwanzBrewer]

My FFIL has a line on a guy that can help build me a conical fermenter (around 14 gallons). If I was to go ahead with this, once it was made (which is challenging enough) how do I control the temps during fermentation? Now I am a mechanical engineer, and I know how to cool things, but nothing I can think of is cheap enough (<$50). I live in Florida so even inside I can't just let ales ferment at ambient temps. I have swamp coolers for my carboys and that works fine. I have never tried wet towels, and that might work, but I would like a hands off solution.So, I ask the great brain power of the Beer Forum, what would you do?Cheers,Rich

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

My FFIL has a line on a guy that can help build me a conical fermenter (around 14 gallons). If I was to go ahead with this, once it was made (which is challenging enough) how do I control the temps during fermentation? Now I am a mechanical engineer, and I know how to cool things, but nothing I can think of is cheap enough (<$50). I live in Florida so even inside I can't just let ales ferment at ambient temps. I have swamp coolers for my carboys and that works fine. I have never tried wet towels, and that might work, but I would like a hands off solution.So, I ask the great brain power of the Beer Forum, what would you do?Cheers,Rich

Could you design a jacket for <$50? If not I've got nothing for you...

[Kremer]

All I can come up with relatively economically is one of those ice probe things mounted through the side

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

All I can come up with relatively economically is one of those ice probe things mounted through the side

say wwhhhhaaa??

[Kremer]

https://www.coralree...m=chillers_cwGB link:https://www.brewboard.com/index.php?showtopic=49568

[SchwanzBrewer]

That makes me think. Didn't someone turn a foam cooler into a chiller using a cooling chip with a heat sink and a fan? I suppose if I could get one of those I could mount a heat rod in the fermenter and mount the chip directly to the side. That would do it, but I'm guessing it would be over $50. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

https://www.coralree...ium=chillers_cwGB link:https://www.brewboar...showtopic=49568

Too lazy to work through the GB thread - did anyone actually do it and report back?

[ThroatwobblerMangrove]

That makes me think. Didn't someone turn a foam cooler into a chiller using a cooling chip with a heat sink and a fan? I suppose if I could get one of those I could mount a heat rod in the fermenter and mount the chip directly to the side. That would do it, but I'm guessing it would be over $50. Anyone know what I'm talking about?

I've seen people make boxes out of foam and cool them with AC units or ice + fans.

[Thirsty]

How about just an old fridge with a Johnson control. That is what I use and fit 3 carboys and 3 blowoff jugs at the same time. What type of dimensions is the conical going to have? Circumference and height?

[djinkc]

I've tried a couple Peltier units - sorta worked a little. Recirculating air from an upright freezer to a contained box - sort of worked but really iced up the freezer. I settled on a window AC unit and built an insulated box around some 2X4 shelving in the basement (same box). It works pretty well, not real efficient but good enough at my place.

[gumballhead]

Too lazy to work through the GB thread - did anyone actually do it and report back?

nope, when I got there my eyes closed.. auto reflex.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Anyone see a problem using one of these?I could see having to modify my design so the chiller would mount flush to the side of the fermenter so it seals properly (I am assuming the probe gos in the tank).

Edited by rcemech, 07 December 2009 - 12:38 PM.

[Kremer]

Anyone see a problem using one of these?

I have not used one but that's what I'm referencing in posts 3 and 5 above.

[No Party JKor]

Get a used 5,000 btu AC off craigslist, build a foam box. BAM! fermentation control. You're not going to get anything cheaper, easier or more effective than that.

[ChefLamont]

Get a used 5,000 btu AC off craigslist, build a foam box. BAM! fermentation control. You're not going to get anything cheaper, easier or more effective than that.

+another millionThis is the PERFECT time of the year to buy them. Go to a pawn shop, and start dealing. It will be months before they will be able to sell them, so most are ready to deal and get rid of them. They though I was an idiot for buying an AC unit here in Jan. I even heard one employee whisper to another, "does he know there isnt any heater in that?" and the other said, "I dont know, who cares". They sold it to me for 35 bucks and thought they had taken me when in fact I was the one with the nice ac unit for cheap.

[SchwanzBrewer]

How low can you go with the AC unit, 60 deg before it freezes?

[No Party JKor]

How low can you go with the AC unit, 60 deg before it freezes?

Keep the chamber dry and it will go way lower than you'll ever need to ferment an ale. It'll get into the 30s easily if you bypass the thermostat, but then you'd have to add a temperature controller (which can also be had fairly cheaply, $30-$40). Even with the built in temp controller you can keep the chamber ~60. I'd recommend getting the temperature controller. You can brew lagers and cold crash in the fermenter with a reasonably well insulated and sealed chamber, if you have a temp controller.For $150 you could build a temp controlled chamber that will ferment anything you'd ever want.

[SchwanzBrewer]

Keep the chamber dry and it will go way lower than you'll ever need to ferment an ale. It'll get into the 30s easily if you bypass the thermostat, but then you'd have to add a temperature controller (which can also be had fairly cheaply, $30-$40). Even with the built in temp controller you can keep the chamber ~60. I'd recommend getting the temperature controller. You can brew lagers and cold crash in the fermenter with a reasonably well insulated and sealed chamber, if you have a temp controller.For $150 you could build a temp controlled chamber that will ferment anything you'd ever want.

I am seriously considering this option. Might build this before I take up the FFIL on the fermenter.Thanks!Cheers,Rich

[djinkc]

How low can you go with the AC unit, 60 deg before it freezes?

Mine froze up a couple times last summer. Taking the bulb out of the thermowell helped (usually 11 gal fermenting). Having a muffin fan wired to blow continuously over the coils helped too and Damprid will help also. Winter isn't that much of a problem though with the lower humidity.I think having the thermistor, themocouple or bulb in a small thermal mass when the humidity is high is the key - at least around here. Mine would ice when running continuously trying to bring that 11 gal down 4 - 5 degrees in one AC cycle.