Fermentation Options

[Big Chooch]

Connect temp control to power supply (i.e. wall socket). Connect freezer to temp control if you need to cool. Connect fermwrap to temp control if you need to warm up. If using a temp control regulator on a chest freezer, don't connect the fermwrap to the carboy, but let it warm the entire chest.

So if I'm right thus far, what do I do if I got hot days and cool nights? Unplug the freezer at night and plug the fermwrap in? Or does the temp control have two outputs, one for when it needs to cool and one for when it needs to warm up?

Also, should one use a heat lamp if using a temp control on a chest freezer (rather than fermwrap)? It doesn't appear a fermwrap is the right tool to heat a chest freezer.

There are single and dual stage Rancos. I have a dual stage that I got from B3 (www.morebeer.com). The advantage of the dual stage is that you can plug BOTH the fermwrap and the fridge into the unit and control both to one temperature or temperature range. That way you’re not watching a thermometer and switching plugs.

The fermwrap isn't going to heat your freezer, just your primary fermenter. That should be all that you need. Your secondary fermenter (if you use one) isn't as sensitive to temperature changes since most of the fermentation has already taken place. If you plan to ferment more than one primary simultaneously, that could get wicked crazy due to different fermentation temp yields.

[Slavin' Away]

There are single and dual stage Rancos. I have a dual stage that I got from B3 (www.morebeer.com). The advantage of the dual stage is that you can plug BOTH the fermwrap and the fridge into the unit and control both to one temperature or temperature range. That way you’re not watching a thermometer and switching plugs.

The fermwrap isn't going to heat your freezer, just your primary fermenter. That should be all that you need. Your secondary fermenter (if you use one) isn't as sensitive to temperature changes since most of the fermentation has already taken place. If you plan to ferment more than one primary simultaneously, that could get wicked crazy due to different fermentation temp yields.

OK...so one more question. If the fermwrap is only hooked up to the carboy, how does the ranco know when the fermenter is warm enough and turn off? Can you hook the sensor up to the fermenter some how?

[Lufah]

You can go with a thermowell... http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=16672

That will get your temp reading from inside the fermenter. Also if you want to do several fermenters in there at once you can go with a space heater or lamp. The thermowell will be the most acurate way to go for controling the temp in one fermenter. I do several beers at the same time so I don't use one. Just depends on what your wanting to do.

Travis

[Big Chooch]

I use a thermo-well also. This way I can set the controller to compensate for the temp yield of the fermentation. Initially, depending on your yeast, gravity, etc, your fermenter is going to be 5-7 degrees higher than ambient temp. So you'll want your freezer/ heat source to adjust accordingly to pull your ferm temp back where you want it. It's really simple. Say I'm using Cal Ale which is best at about 68 degrees. I'll set the controller to maintain 68 degrees. If it hits 69, the freezer kicks on. Likewise, if it dips to 67, the fermwrap kicks on. This method keeps my temp pretty stabilized (provided I’m not constantly opening the freezer to check on things as I obsessively tend to do.) Also, with the chest freezer I've found that setting the factory freezer adjustment low helps. If it is set too high, the freezer will get too cold too fast and result in a 5-6 degree overshot of cooling, necessitating compensation from the fermwrap.

I haven’t tried the heat lamp or space heater idea like Lufah suggested. May be worth looking at but I feel I have more control. The drawback is I have lots of control over one primary, where as in Lufah’s case, he probably has less control over several primaries.

Tailor our ideas to your own needs.