Chest Freezer Ferm Chamber (Heat or Cool)

[Spiderbrewer]

Ok. So I am a short sighted brewer. I have a nice new 10 cubic foot Chest Freezer in my garage to ferment in, but since I purchased the single stage Johnson digital controller (being short sighted) I am not sure how to approach my next batch. Ambient temps in the garage will probably range between 45 and 70 over the next week based on the forecast. I am planning to brew on Saturday and should be able to pitch an active starter into my 1.060ish Stout in the low 60's. My question is should I set the freezer to cool or add some kind of heating element to warm. I would like to maintain 65 and in my limited experience of 3 batches in this freezer it is very efficient and the temp does not vary much. I am worried that if I set it to cool it may not run at all but the temp might drop at night causing my yeast to floc out. If I set it to warm it may run occaisionaly at night but the temp might rise uncontrolled during the warmer days. Is there an easy solution or do I have to watch it like a hawk and switch back in forth from heat to cool?

[CRBrewHound]

During this time of year, even in VA, I would think you would be better to set it to warm to 65, then to cool to that temp, as the outside temp getting up to 70 would probably be a few hours at most and would not be long enough to affect the temperature in the freezer. It is better that you keep it a little on the warmer side then run the risk of it getting too cold in there and your yeast droping out and producing an under attenuated beer. My 2 cents anyway.

[Quin]

You will probably need to cool it once fermentation takes off. The yeast are putting off a lot of heat as they metabolize the sugars. As the fermentation slows, you may need to add some heat if you want an upwardly rising temperature profile.

[Spiderbrewer]

So it sounds like both warm and cool. I think maybe I'll warm until it takes off and then cool. Any other thoughts.

[Buttwidget]

My suggestion (if you have about $175 available) is to go here:

B3 Dual-stage Temp Controller

and purchase a dual-stage temp controller. Then go here:

Fermentation Paint Can Heater

and use the instructions to build a heater. It is the solution I use in all three of my chest freeser fermentation chambers, with excellent results. FYI: I use 60-watt bulbs in my paint can heaters (and have been doing so for over a year) without any issues at all.

G'luck!

~widget

[Spiderbrewer]

Yeah. I know. Anyone want to buy my Johnson.

[snowcapt]

Anyone want to buy my Johnson.

Isnt that prostitution?
Maybe post something at your lhbs for trade or something like that.
I would just hang on to it. You will probably have a need for it in the future. Short sighted or not, it is nice to have a full toolbox.

[Spiderbrewer]

Anyone want to buy my Johnson.

Isnt that prostitution?
Maybe post something at your lhbs for trade or something like that.
I would just hang on to it. You will probably have a need for it in the future. Short sighted or not, it is nice to have a full toolbox.

I don't know what your talking about. I was talking about my controller.