Chezza Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Hey Fellas, I have been brewing for a year now, 1 a week, sometimes 2 depending what is coming up, and im getting sick of drinking funky beer. I know its the heat because i put down some rippers in cooler weather, and the beer is clear with no scum, and no explosions (yet) Just after some advice regarding brewing fridges. At the moment we are getting temps up to and over 30deg and its killin me taste buds, as of yet i haven't purchased a brewing fridge or external thermostat but i have done a heap of reading on the topic. I'm after some first hand knowledge in the taste testing department, i understand my beer will taste better, but won't bottle conditioning in 30 odd deg heat produce the same off flavors? Cheers look forward to hearing from you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbang04 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Hi Ryan, I am in the process of looking in to some fridges as well. I am keen to start off brewing correctly from the start as I know if I try and brew a couple of batches and they taste funky then it will put me off doing it often. I was looking to maybe get a Kegorator as a brew fridge. Though they are quite expensive. Other than that I am just hoping on some guidance as well as to what the smallest size bar fridge I could use to brew would be, and then I would look at getting the STC-1000 and a brew belt to put in the fridge and hopefully this will do the trick. Let me know what you are going to do as I would be keen to see how the process goes for you. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Most of the funky flavours are produced during primary fermentation so fermenting a few grams of sugar at 30 degrees shouldn't cause a noticeable problem. Although it isn't ideal storage conditions, I would definitely ferment in a fridge and bottle condition at 30 degrees if that is all I could do. That is much better than all at ambient temps and you will notice an improvement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chezza Posted February 19, 2014 Author Share Posted February 19, 2014 Hey Wizbang, i was just going to gut a second hand 215L fridge and build a box for the fv to sit on, stc-1000 looks to be the go, but my problem is heat so i wont need the belt because in winter its still around 20+deg. Hairy, thanks for your reply, i only have the space and money for 1 fridge and because i drink purely what i brew i put a new brew on every week/fortnight sometimes more. Another question, it was suggested that the probe sit on a piece of foam under the fv to block out a false reading from the circulating air temp, would the yeast cake act as an insulator? p.s. My next rental will have a cellar... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben 10 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 I bought an old chest freezer for this purpose. $50 + $60 for a wired and neatly boxed controller. I will not need heat either. Works very well and fits 2 X FVs. May become a Keezer one day and I'll get a bigger Fermeezer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ramjet Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Hi Ryan I've not heard of putting the probe under the FV. Currently I'm taping it to the side, about half way up, then taping a wodge of foam over it to try to get it to register the FV temp rather than the fridge internal air temp. I've just acquired some leads with stainless steel temp probes, so next brew I'll lower that into the wort itself to get more accuracy. Re the fridge size, if the FV fits, it's good. I replaced the moulded plastic door liner in my little 'bar fridge' with a thin galvanised steel sheet, and my FV does, in fact, just fit. Since controlling the temp, and adding some specialty grain and extra hops, my brews have improved out of sight. My guess is that the temp factor is significant. Here's to good brewing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbang04 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Will I need a heater if brewing in Melbourne Victoria? I know that the process itself generates some heat but I was just under the assumption that I would need a heat element in the fridge also? Would an upright freezer of this size work possibly? http://www.gumtree.com.au/s-ad/cranbourne/fridges-freezers/mistral-upright-freezer-very-good-condition/1039312516 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adz Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Yes, you will need a heating belt or heating pad. LHBS sells belt for $50 however I picked one up for around $15 from ebay, works great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben 10 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Could get away with a few bottles of hot tap water. THat freezer would possibly be too small, expensive too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Otto Von Blotto Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 My guess for Melbourne is that a heating source inside the fridge would be a good idea, only because the weather and temperatures fluctuate so damn much. It shouldn't really affect it too much given that fridges are insulated from the outside environment but still better to have one than not, in case it does start to drop too low. Up in Brisbane I have no use for a heating source inside the fridge as it doesn't need it. I have found ales don't carb very well (or very quickly) in winter so if I do them, I just stick the bottles in the brew fridge for a week and use a flask of boiling water to heat it up inside, leaving the fridge turned off the whole time. That would probably be a bit of a pain in the arse for fermenting a batch though. I've also never heard of putting the temp probe under the FV. I just tape mine to the side of it about half way up under a piece of foam same as Ramjet and it is usually pretty accurate. At least accurate enough for me and good enough to produce excellent tasting beers. Finally, I wouldn't waste money on a kegerator just for fermenting in. It's a much cheaper option to find an old second hand fridge on gumtree or whatever and grab an STC-1000 for 20 or 30 bucks to control the temperature. Cheers Kelsey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbang04 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Thanks for the tips guys. Was thinking that this bar fridge might work but I need to go check some sizes out in person. https://www.jbhifihome.com.au/116-LITRE-BLACK-FRIDGE-BLACK.aspx How do I get the heating element inside the fridge if it has an electrical cable attached? Do you just shut the door and the seal will close around it ok? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ben 10 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Do you just shut the door and the seal will close around it ok? Yep, just like the temperature probe for the controller. That bar fridge will have a lump at the bottom - the compressor sits there, so you will need to make a shelf. It may also have a small freezer that may get in the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbang04 Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Thanks for the tips. I will measure up the fv and head down to see if it fits in. Can take out the freezer part if needed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Brew Master Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Hi Wizbang, Try and get yourself an all refrigerator, that way you can do 2 brews at once. You might pick up a trade in at one of the electrical retailers. My son is an electrician/refrigeration mechanic and has direct wired 2 fridges for me, that way no wires/probes through door seals. Good luck & happy brewing. Cheers, Peter "Don't waste time, keep drinking" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilbyT Posted February 19, 2014 Share Posted February 19, 2014 Will I need a heater if brewing in Melbourne Victoria? I know that the process itself generates some heat but I was just under the assumption that I would need a heat element in the fridge also? My experience says yes. I started last year, just using the fridge as an "insulation box" and needed the heat belt in cooler months up until late December, although as you know the weather was unseasonaly cool in Dec. You will need and STC1000 because the heat belt tends to overheat the brew overnight, even on for 6 hours seems to be too much. Good luck. edit (20th Feb) Had to put the belt on this morning, brew dipped to 14C and not much hope of it warning up with ambient today - its only going to be 20. Even in Feb you're gonna need a heater Wizbang. I bet Scottie has the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 I use a thermostat on my brew belt , so there is no overheating but will come on if temp drops below whatever thermostat is set to , I have been pleased with the way it works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbang04 Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 You will need and STC1000 because the heat belt tends to overheat the brew overnight, even on for 6 hours seems to be too much. Good luck. Thanks for this. Will get one. Thought I read somewhere you can buy a version of this pre-wired so that you can just pug in the fridge and heatbelt straight in to it. Happy to pay a bit extra to get this wired correctly. Best place to get one ready to go? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairy Posted February 20, 2014 Share Posted February 20, 2014 Keg King sell them for $69.95 (see link below): Keg King - Temp Controller Just make sure you buy the dual controllers that control both the cooling and heat source. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Got one of these little beauties last week on ebay for $122. Pretty much brand new. http://www.ibuywesell.com/en_AU/item/Heller+130L+All+Fridge/35552 Was searching for quite a while to get one that fits the fermenter without having to modify the fridge or resort in buying a huge one. Fermenter fits like a dream in it. Chuffed. Got a Pilsner in secondary at 1 degree as we speak. Magic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbang04 Posted February 21, 2014 Share Posted February 21, 2014 Got one of these little beauties last week on ebay for $122. Pretty much brand new.http://www.ibuywesell.com/en_AU/item/Heller+130L+All+Fridge/35552 Was searching for quite a while to get one that fits the fermenter without having to modify the fridge or resort in buying a huge one. Fermenter fits like a dream in it. Chuffed. Got a Pilsner in secondary at 1 degree as we speak. Magic. Seems like a good size. So that fits the Coopers FV in it perfectly? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Yes it fits in there nicely with space along the side for about 5 Pet bottles and also has one door shelf (had to take 2 of them out) with room for about 6 more bottles, but it may depend on which version of the Coopers FV it is, I have the one with the lid, no airlock. Got it about 1.5 years ago. I believe there's different shaped older ones, so to be honest I don't know if they fit too. Ps. I don't use the Krausen collar anymore, I doubt it will fit if I used that. I stopped using the collar ages ago. Hope that helps. Cheers jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbang04 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Thanks Jasony. I am thinking of grabbing something like this https://www.jbhifihome.com.au/130L-Bar-Fridge.aspx Seems about the same size as the one you got. Might measure up the FV though before I buy it. So you dont need to use the krausen collar then? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Thanks Jasony. I am thinking of grabbing something like this https://www.jbhifihome.com.au/130L-Bar-Fridge.aspx Seems about the same size as the one you got. Might measure up the FV though before I buy it. So you dont need to use the krausen collar then? Yep thats the one. Guess it depends whether you're happy to pay that amount or try and get one 2nd hand. I was told by the guys on this forum that the collar isn't really needed, and haven't used it since. good luck with it all. the FV I have is this one: https://store.coopers.com.au/site_media/cache/f6/39/f6392c68595dd638538037a6d000da7e.png cheers Jay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizbang04 Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 Yep thats the one. Guess it depends whether you're happy to pay that amount or try and get one 2nd hand. Yeah not sure about getting a brand new one or not. Also looking in to maybe getting a wine fridge instead which would be alright. Have the same fermenter as you so I may just not sue the collar if it isn't really required. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quicky Posted February 24, 2014 Share Posted February 24, 2014 I bought an old chest freezer for this purpose. $50 + $60 for a wired and neatly boxed controller. I will not need heat either.Works very well and fits 2 X FVs. May become a Keezer one day and I'll get a bigger Fermeezer. Ive got a chest freezer at home wich I don't use. Just a question Ben' date=' if you have the fermenter in the bottom of the chest freezer isn't it a ball buster trying to lift out 23litres of beer when its bottling time?? Oh and on a side note my first brew has now been in the bottles for 4 weeks and its tasting a treat [img']smile[/img] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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