Temp swings in fermenter

[Sean_O]

Hi all new here. Just started my first ever brew on Monday. Using the Coopers 23 litre kit. My question is regarding temps when it is fermenting. I did a wet run first to try and get the temp down right and it went well. I was 2 degrees warmer at 22C than I wanted it when I spread the yeast though. So I whipped up a quick and dirty swamp chiller and have it hovering around 18C-20C. If it starts to creep up to 20C I turn the fan on and bring it back down to 18C or so. I know ideally you want a constant temperature while it is fermenting. Will a 1-2 degree swing up and down harm the fermentation process? Thanks!

 

[Classic Brewing Co]

13 minutes ago, Sean_O said:

Hi all new here. Just started my first ever brew on Monday. Using the Coopers 23 litre kit. My question is regarding temps when it is fermenting. I did a wet run first to try and get the temp down right and it went well. I was 2 degrees warmer at 22C than I wanted it when I spread the yeast though. So I whipped up a quick and dirty swamp chiller and have it hovering around 18C-20C. If it starts to creep up to 20C I turn the fan on and bring it back down to 18C or so. I know ideally you want a constant temperature while it is fermenting. Will a 1-2 degree swing up and down harm the fermentation process? Thanks!

 

Hi @Sean_O Welcome to the Forum, the brew that comes with the Coopers kit is a Lager but with an Ale yeast to simply make it easier for beginners.

The fermentation temperature will be fine around 18-22c. 

Keeping it constant is important but most of the basic kits are fairly forgiving.

What region are you from?

 

Edited April 4 by Classic Brewing Co

[Aussiekraut]

30 minutes ago, Sean_O said:

Hi all new here. Just started my first ever brew on Monday. Using the Coopers 23 litre kit. My question is regarding temps when it is fermenting. I did a wet run first to try and get the temp down right and it went well. I was 2 degrees warmer at 22C than I wanted it when I spread the yeast though. So I whipped up a quick and dirty swamp chiller and have it hovering around 18C-20C. If it starts to creep up to 20C I turn the fan on and bring it back down to 18C or so. I know ideally you want a constant temperature while it is fermenting. Will a 1-2 degree swing up and down harm the fermentation process? Thanks!

 

While yeast likes it steady, a little bit of a swing isn't going to confuse it a lot. If you can keep it where it is, you're sweet. 

Ideally, you'd have a temperature-controlled ferment chamber like an old fridge with a TC but that is something for a later point. At this stage, your swamp cooler will do the trick. Once you figured out you want to stick with brewing, then think about it again.

 

[Sean_O]

42 minutes ago, Classic Brewing Co said:

Hi @Sean_O Welcome to the Forum, the brew that comes with the Coopers kit is a Lager but with an Ale yeast to simply make it easier for beginners.

The fermentation temperature will be fine around 18-22c. 

Keeping it constant is important but most of the basic kits are fairly forgiving.

What region are you from?

 

Thanks! I'm trying to keep it as constant as I can. I live in Winnipeg Manitoba Canada. I usually turn the temp down at night or when I'm at work but I have been leaving the house at 20C at the moment while it is fermenting.

[Sean_O]

17 minutes ago, Aussiekraut said:

While yeast likes it steady, a little bit of a swing isn't going to confuse it a lot. If you can keep it where it is, you're sweet. 

Ideally, you'd have a temperature-controlled ferment chamber like an old fridge with a TC but that is something for a later point. At this stage, your swamp cooler will do the trick. Once you figured out you want to stick with brewing, then think about it again.

 

Awesome. Thanks!