Beer Forum

Finally got around to plugging in the Johnson controller. Using a standard fridge with a freezer on top. Probe is in the fridge next to the carboy. No problem there. I would like to know how to set up the dial in the fridge and in the freezer. Do I put both to minimum, max or what? I remember reading something about this somewhere..probably in the instruction booklet I threw out.

thanks

I'd imagine that the lower the setting on the fridge, the less hysteresis (residual cooling after you reach your desired fermentation temperature) you'll experience. However, if it's too low, you may not be able to reach your desired temperature, especially if you're lagering or trying to crash cool your beer before kegging/bottling.

I'm not too certain about the hysteresis, though I've been using a chest freezer for my ales thus far, and have had better temperature windows at lower settings.

I'm also not too sure about setting it up for both the fridge and freezer. Any other thoughts out there?

Actually in the fridge compartment it's just an air exchanger that brings in the air from the freezer. So I set the fridge air ''in'' to low and set the freezer control to minimum. Seems to be working for now. I'm only looking at a 66f fermentation temp for now, but will crash it when the beer is ready to be shocked into deliciousness.

Does that seem right?

Thanks for your reply.

I have my JCed fridges set on MAX.
I do believe that is from the instructions. Which I have long since thrown out.

Both mine are at max as well. Seem to recall seeing that somewhere.

The freezer compartment over the carboy usually is around 55F, but goes down to 30F during the active part of ferment.

Well right now I'm aiming for a 66f temeprature. My controlle is set at 66. My Freezer is on low and my fridge's air flow is at low as well and the controller is indicating 62f. It's going to be one helluva fridge when I want to go down in temp but for now it can't seem to go up.

Set freezer to warmest setting, set fridge to coldest setting. THis will push the max amount of air to the fridge section.

You'll have to open the door to let it warm up until the fermentation starts generating heat.

shunt wrote:\My controlle is set at 66.

Did you pay for it with a "cheque"?

These foreigners- it's like they have a different word for everything!