I feel you on that MA apartment comment! Contemplating a lager because it's cold enough in certain parts of the house during the winter.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Yuuup. Practically lived in a lager fridge for awhile
@CrucialConversion2 жыл бұрын
Method I use that is very effective. Stick fermenter in a larger bucket with water (like the swamp cooler), but use a fish tank water heater to regulate temperature. Place this in a basement or cool area where temp is below target fermentation temperature. If it is summer, you can use a fan/ice to cool it down like a swamp cooler, but the fish tank heater ensures it always stays at a constant temperature. You can get a heater for $20, so it's a super cost effective approach that allows you to dial in exact fermentation temperatures. Works especially well when fermenting at higher temperatures (kveik, for example)
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Sounds like a great method, thanks for sharing!
@Pingwinho Жыл бұрын
Good luck lagering with that
@danpierce372 жыл бұрын
I have the space and setup a chest freezer with InkBird temperature control for my fermentations (use a low profile Anvil Bucket fermenter). Once finished, I transfer the beer to my 7.6 gal Kegmenter and chill my beer in the same chest freezer as I make and drink one batch at a time. Works great and very economical! Thanks for the video.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Awesome, thanks for sharing!
@seriomarkj2 жыл бұрын
I am so happy I have a basement...I know it fluctuates down there, but has procured good enough results so far
@Baruch052 жыл бұрын
The addition of the information and data for the yeast strains was well worth the watch! Nice job man! Keep up the great work.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Glad you found it useful!
@TheBruSho2 жыл бұрын
A highly important topic and great ideas for many different budgets. Excellent video Steve!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Thanks Trent! Lots of great suggestions in the comments too!
@TroubleBrewing2 жыл бұрын
great methods noted here, I just made an insulated box in by basement with a seedling mat inside connected to an inkbird. Basement stays pretty cold (michigan) and the seedling mat can raise it about 10-15 degrees, enough for those ale temps. One other thing, when monitoring temp inside the chamber/liquid its important that the inkbird is in the liquid or a thermowell is in the liquid. I have done some reading that ambient temperature or the side of the vessel is not very accurate when it comes to liquid temperature. You can ether get a thermowell OR just fill a glass up with water and submerge the inkbird in that to tell the beer temperature.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Thats a great method, and thats a great point about the temp probe immersion too. I keep a glass of water in my kegerator with the probe in it for that exact reason
@GenusBrewing2 жыл бұрын
If I started brewing at home again I would def go glycol chiller and unitanks. It's a lot of $$ but knowing how much I brew and the amount of effort I'd save - it'd be worth the money within a year :/ ... Also I'd be able to tell my friends i am SUPER cool!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Its definitely a lot of money but it can be worth it for convenience depending on your circumstances, but I can see how it would make sense for you! I think a lot of homebrewers (including myself) don't have all the knowledge to fully use those tools to their full potential.
@chmyr2 жыл бұрын
I went the inkbird and chest freezer route after watching your videos and how you recommend it, and it really helps with the quality of beer I make! As always, love your videos, keep up the great work!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Temp control is the best thing you can do for your beer! Glad I could help you make better beer!!
@shawnmurphy29912 жыл бұрын
I have had the Brew Jacket Pro since their Kickstarter campaign. Works Great. In a Fast Ferment with the 4 piece insulation cover I can get the temps down to the 40s F (5 C) I can hold 65 F - 18C for Ale fermentation all day long. I have also held a sugarwash with turbo yeast at 80 F (27C) to make some hand cleaner early in the pandemic.
@Hacky24476 ай бұрын
can confirm the chest freezer method works VERY well. that said you have to make sure your fermenter is short.
@Nusbizz Жыл бұрын
Lol this just brought me back. When I first started I fermented in house with “swamp cooler” method. Even in summers in NorCal (90F+) ferm would be around 68-70. Great cheap option for the new peeps! Currently using chest freezer and it’s dialed, but might have to upgrade when I buy a new ferm unit. The things we have to do to shave the cone..
@garriedorman90832 жыл бұрын
I’ve been using the Brewjacket system for about 4 years now. Works great for both heating and cooling.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Awesome!
@magnetomage2 жыл бұрын
I purchased a BrewJacket Pro a few years back, it works Okay; not stellar not bad, just ok. Temperature adjustment is Very very slow, and getting more than 12-15 degrees(hotter works better than colder in my experience) away from ambient is basically impossible. The benefit is that it takes up way less space than a keezer setup. I suspect(i have not fully tested this, yet.) that the energy costs are higher than of running a modern fridge. i can only recommend the Brew Jacket if Space is your highest limiting factor, and your fermentation temperature is not very far off of the regular ambient.
@rugsuckersrus2 жыл бұрын
I have very little control over temperature. Pressure fermentation is the answer. 2 psi is about the same effect as -5 degrees. It's the best way in fact commercial brewers use this method. It totally works
@timothyrichards58232 жыл бұрын
Great video ! I used to tape packing insulation on my carboy and place a temp probe between the glass and the insulation. I’d watch the temp rise as the fermentation heated up. As soon as the fermentation started to slow and the temp started to fall, I’d move the carboy from the basement to the main floor of the house where it’s usually in the low 70’s. The fermentation would always go really well with that method. Now I have a chest freezer and inkbird.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Not a bad method, I imagine you would need to keep careful watch on the temperature! Thanks for watching!
@Unsub-Me-Now2 жыл бұрын
I really dig your dorm fridge temp control. If I had an unlimited budget, I would go Glycol and Conical over my current method.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
So far, it's worked pretty well! Agreed, if money wasn't a factor I'd be all over the glycol unitank setup!
@JusBrewing2 жыл бұрын
I also use a fermentation jacket from time to time. I like to use it and a heating pad with my Kveik brews when I need to keep the temp high. Also a cheap fix and can be used to keep temps low too!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Great stuff, especially for kveik!
@BabyMakR2 жыл бұрын
This has been a great help. I've been looking at getting back into brewing (and even back into fermenting) after 15 years after a house fire. I live in a tropical climate (North Queensland, Australia) and have always used local beer kits so temperature has never been an issue. I want to restart my hobby with a mead for Christmas, and temperature is a big issue. This has helped a lot. Thanks.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
I'm very glad to help out!
@sailordog00 Жыл бұрын
I regularly use keviek and ferment at 96+ I use a couple of heating pads around my allrounder plugged into the Inkbird on heating and the sensor stuck to the side of the fermenter with plumbers putty. Cover it all with old towels and it works perfectly and cheaply.
@glleon805172 жыл бұрын
So far I have not gone glycol/water heat exchanger. I bought a mini fridge and added some depth to it with plywood which the fridge door fits onto so I can fit a fermenter like the Fermzilla or a bucket fermenter, or a keg and CO2 tank and gauge for serving. It goes down to 45F and I have it plugged into an Inkbird PID controller I built from parts. I keep looking for a used under counter wine fridge which has more room inside, but the last one I bought got appropriated for, well, white wine. Great video an an important topic, Steve, thanks!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Great idea! A wine fridge is a great idea, especially if you can do the under-counter option. Thanks for sharing!
@Identace4452 жыл бұрын
I absolutely love my brew jacket!! Perfect fermentation temperature control for only $200!! 🍺
@HOMEBREW4LIFE2 жыл бұрын
Solid content braj! Got this video going on two screens right now. Happy Holidays Steve!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the love man! Happy holidays to you too, see you tonight!
@rolandfrans45962 жыл бұрын
I am pretty new to brewing. Started making my chillingspiral and set up an inkbird to my frigerator before I brewed my first beer. I have done a few now and feel that steady temp during fermentation is king.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Sounds like you're off to a great start!
@BanksBuilt2 жыл бұрын
I’ve used just about every method you mentioned over the years and my favorite is a chest freezer with a seedling heat mat if you have the room. The mat works well keeping a temp of 90 on my last Kveik lager and does matter of you get it wet because it’s waterproof.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
You're the second person to mention a seedling mat for the chest freezer - definitely worth noting!
@JPch1082 жыл бұрын
Eu tenho um freezer... Com regulação.. Obrigado Portugal Aveiro
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Saúde!
@Jango19892 жыл бұрын
Great video. Can't wait to get a fridge/freezer to boost my heat control. Fortunately, it's pretty cold where I am so I can get away with just some heating pads. I'm a real nerd so I've built my own controller with some cheap electronics. If you're happy to put some time in, it makes the setup highly customisable and easy to replace parts it they break. I know someone who uses a cheap heat controller and they're forever replacing the whole thing when it breaks. Which is a bit of a waste and drives the whole cost up significantly.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Awesome! Thanks for sharing, that sounds like a pretty nice setup overall though and nice work with the personalized controller!
@Bullsbrew5512 жыл бұрын
Good video. Temperature control makes a huge difference in the quality of the beer for sure.🍺
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Thanks! It's the best way to take beer from good to great!
@bcamping19 ай бұрын
I have used Kveik at room temperatures below 10c. Just needs enough blankets around, over and under.
@bcamping19 ай бұрын
Probably how ancient Norwegians did it.
@JusBrewing2 жыл бұрын
Love my Fermzilla All rounder, got one a few months ago and have used it a couple times now. Its lagering a beer right now!!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
I still have mine! I don't use it as much but its 100% the right way to go for starting out pressure fermentation!
@gerardnatale23872 жыл бұрын
Excellent video Steve! Today was a brew day for me. I'm fermenting a Munich Dunkel in my cool basement with icepacks duct taped to the side of the fermenter which I'll keep switching out. The temp strip reads 54 but it will rise once fermentation begins. I used w-34/70 so hopefully it will be ok. I'll have to come up with something better. Thanks for the info!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
W34/70 is nice since it can handle higher temps quite well in case something goes wrong. Best of luck!
@FoScoJo2 жыл бұрын
Another product to consider is the Brewjacket Pro ($300 but can be found on sale for about $150). Unlike a mini fridge, it takes almost no space at all in use or storage. And unlike the Anvil twister coil or other pump-based systems, it requires no cooler, water, or ice. I've had no problem at all hitting and maintaining a temp range between 55-110F of ambient room temp to within 0.1 degrees. And it comes with a totally opaque insulated bag so I can just shove the whole thing into pretty much any closet in the house and forget it for a few weeks.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
I think I mentioned it somewhere in the video but I'm glad you've had good experiences with it! I'm wondering how it would work with a steel fermenter like the anvil
@FoScoJo2 жыл бұрын
@@TheApartmentBrewer It should work as long as the bung hole is large enough, there is sufficient depth (the rod needs to be submerged at least 2/3), and there is a thermowell for the probe.
@Wind_Ninja_Jubei2 жыл бұрын
2nd hand chest freezer and temp control has worked for me for the last 8 yrs. Live in Australia though. No snow here in Sydney
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
8 years is a pretty good testament to how well the chest freezer method works!
@daibowen12 жыл бұрын
Great video! Kveik has been a game changer for me as I struggle with temp control. I can only do very small batch traditional lagers as I currently don't have space for a fermentation fridge...
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Choosing a good yeast based on temperature can really help a lot for making better beer. Cheers!
@wonyankeesays56612 жыл бұрын
Kviek is a great yeast,,so is workhorse
@MostlyCarStuff2 жыл бұрын
Lallemand Nottingham (ale yeast) works really well down to 50F or a little below. I use Verdant IPA yeast most of the year as long as the weather is averaging under 75, hotter than that I use Nottingham and put the fermenter in the kegerator @50
@zzing Жыл бұрын
You mentioned the spike fermenter, I was considering their bucket with temperature control (would have you hack together a solution to the grainfather glycol chiller) - because it looked easier to clean in a kitchen.
@crabmansteve6844 Жыл бұрын
Inkbird + small fridge/freezer is the god-king of homebrewing. It's astoundingly effective AND cheap. I'll never use any other method.
@afhostie2 жыл бұрын
Used a large cooler and submerged my carboy in water. Periodically replaced ice packs throughout the day to keep temps at 60 for a Maerzenbier during summer. Ambient temp was 78f so it was a no-go to get lower or I'd be changing ice packs every hour. Otherwise, it worked well enough.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Depending on the yeast choice you can be very successful with that method!
@afhostie2 жыл бұрын
@@TheApartmentBrewer was using the wyeast Oktoberfest. Only caveat was that you gotta have the water level above the krausen and drop the temp slow. I accidentally dropped all the yeast out of suspension like a cold crash on the first day.
@tman93382 жыл бұрын
Any thoughts of doing a dry yeast video ?? It looks like more companies are offering dry yeast
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
There are a lot of offerings out theree, so it would be a good idea! I need to use more dry yeast strains!
@PatrickSandy782 жыл бұрын
Very informative. Keep up the great work.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!
2 жыл бұрын
As far as I am aware breewjacket uses the thermoelectric Peltier element for cooling/heating of fermenting beer directly, the insulated jacket is just for better eficiency. It is not compatible with low ph liquids(not even starsan).
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
That seems odd considering beer is a low pH liquid. Seems people haven't had issues with it
@ElementaryBrewingCo2 жыл бұрын
Cheers Steve I use a chest freezer and love it except for the fact that I can only ferment one beer at a time in there.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Its a great method, but yeah if you have a smaller fridge or two different fermentations with different temps it can get tough. Cbeers!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Where are you getting a glycol chiller that costs the same as a chest freezer??
@austinsparkman71902 жыл бұрын
Sick video! You use a mini fridge for your anvil cooling system.. have you ever thought of adding a collar and modifying your mini fridge to for your anvil bucket? That's what I did. Added a collar just like my keezer and then slightly bent the freezer tray. Now I can fit my full size anvil bucket in the mini fridge and use an inkbird on it
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Ha I wish! It's way smaller than it comes across on video, there's no fitting a fermenter in it unfortunately.
@PRH02102 жыл бұрын
always fabulous - thanks for this
@BennyBestt Жыл бұрын
Kveik yeast in the warmer months, from wort chiller 28degrees C to fermenter, , till whatever your house temp is, 20-25 degrees c. No need for any control
@daveelliott20552 жыл бұрын
FTSS from SS brew tech.I have it on my conical and both brew buckets .One degree swing
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Thats a great system, pretty much the exact same thing as the spike cooler I use in my conical and it works like a charm!
@mysterioanonymous32062 жыл бұрын
I'm so close to pull the trigger on it... Whats the cold source? Icebucket or Glycol? Would you buy it again?
@paulaxton722 жыл бұрын
What about using a Corny keg for pressure fermentation??
@DavidAbraham5042 жыл бұрын
Interesting thank you for sharing.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
I'm glad you enjoyed it!
@jacklegminercanada3866 Жыл бұрын
Good video.!.!.
@crampcrafter2 жыл бұрын
By the way what happened with your Imperial Stout? Just saw the video and now i am curious how the flavour went! Anyway nice video as always👍
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
It got better lol. Needed about a month more of cold conditioning
@FermentationAdventures2 жыл бұрын
Good thoughts, great video! I do use a glycol chiller now, but honestly, my fermentation temperatures were more stable when I used an inkbird and a refrigerator as a fermentation chamber. I'm sure both keep the inkbird temperature probe at a nice consistent temperature, but I've noticed from the logged temperature readings from my tilt, they tend to vary a little more than with the fridge. Point is, while glycol is likely the most expensive option, it's not the best by all measures.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Thats some interesting information, thanks for sharing your experiences!
@patrickbruske54882 жыл бұрын
I appreciate your videos. I noticed that you keep saying "kwike" and wanted to pass along that kveik is pronounced "kuh-vike".
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Ive pronounced it every possible way and been told I was wrong every time. Eventually I decided to just stick with the pronunciation in this video that I heard from both a Norwegian and a pro brewer, but thanks anyway!
@patrickbruske54882 жыл бұрын
@@TheApartmentBrewer kzfaq.info/get/bejne/j5hpmrl_2eC4pqs.html - start at the 1:00 mark.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
@@patrickbruske5488 Interesting, and that's how I initially was saying it a few years ago until I was told I was wrong lol. I was told to say "quake" but my pronunciation/accent probably slipped since then
@idsullymichaels2 ай бұрын
I've asked this on a few other videos. I'm in Texas brewing in a garage - easily 90-110. BUT I have a full size fridge. I am looking to add a CO2 line in there for kegs. BUT I'll need to ferment in there as well... Can I do both at the same time? I am thinking of a small power line along with the CO2 line (female in the fridge/male on outside). I can set up the Inkbird (or some temp control) outside the fridge. When I have beer in kegs (fridge on) I can plug in a heat blanket inside the fridge - that's plugged into the temp controller (even add a blanket/reflectix around that) on the fermenter. If I don't have any kegged beer - easy, I'll plug the fridge into the thermostat control. How concerning is a power source/plug in the fridge? Is it absurd to think a heat blanket can counter a running fridge (though I'd adjust the temp up)? How do you put you temp probe into the fridge - through the door? Worth it to drill a hole - create some type of 'port'? Then I get to decide if I continue doing a glass carboy (saves $), or is it worth buying something like a Fermzilla and allowing me to ferment under pressure, eliminate O2 on the beer, punch beer into kegs, etc
@TheApartmentBrewer2 ай бұрын
I usually route the temp probe through the same hole you use for the CO2 line or just through the seal in the door. You could drill through the front door and seal it with some tape too. You can definitely use the fridge for fermentation and for serving, just not at the same time unless you like warm beer.
@vruychev2 жыл бұрын
Fantastic!
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@jamesgrey80932 жыл бұрын
I have used an old freezer and i did not need any other heat than the head provided by the yeast.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
That tends to work pretty well!
@masterchiefman32 жыл бұрын
Gotta ask. Why would you drill through the door of the fridge instead of the side or top. Seems awkward to open and close
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Its a good question, but there's a good reason for it: the fridge door doesn't have any refrigerant lines running through it, but the top and sides do. Pierce one of those lines and the fridge is toast
@richardbaker112 Жыл бұрын
I never quite understood temperature control. You ferment it warm but, don’t all beers eventually go in the refrigerator once the fermentation is done? Wouldn’t that screw everything up?
@TheApartmentBrewer Жыл бұрын
Once the fermentation is done is key. At that point the temperature isn't really going to affect it unless it gets really hot
@JohnnyReverse2 жыл бұрын
Do you need a spunding valve on the Flex when your using a PRV? I just purchased 2 Flex + , I haven't gotten around to using them yet but I see Spike recommends not pressure fermenting in these.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
That is really so they don't get sued if one of their fermenters blows up. If you are pressure fermenting anything, always ensure you have a PRV. The spunding valve will help dial in the pressure since the PRV isn't always going to pop at exactly 15 PSI, it can be +/- several PSI. 15 PSI can be a bit overkill for some yeasts too
@JohnnyReverse2 жыл бұрын
@@TheApartmentBrewer right on, I have a blowtie that I plan on using with it, just going to add some fermcap s to keep the krausen down
@richardlosli1104 Жыл бұрын
Does temp control matter after primary fermentation is complete
@TheApartmentBrewer Жыл бұрын
Yes, although its less impactful on the beer. Try to keep the beer's temperature stable at least for the week after primary.
@ZekeJonesFitness2 жыл бұрын
I noticed you said you live in MA, you didn’t happen to go to UVM by chance?
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
I used to live in mass, but now I'm in NH. Nope, did not go to UVM
@derekp66362 жыл бұрын
what about the ol' bathtub + t-shirt to wick the moisture up the sides....seems to keep mine around 65-68f
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
That's pretty much the same concept as the swamp cooler method, just using a bathtub instead of a bucket. Works just as well I bet!
@afhostie2 жыл бұрын
I'm really curious about using cold ambient temperature. Was thinking the garage would be really cool during the fall but I expect the temp to fluctuate at least 15 degrees between coldest part of the day and hottest part of the afternoon. Is that a concern? You usually mention slowly changing the temperature when fermenting.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
Yeah thats why that has the caveats i mentioned in the beginning. Big temp swings are not good for the beer, the more gradual the better.
@Ohsnapski2 жыл бұрын
And a gradual temp rise would be around 2 degrees Fahrenheit per day, this is how lagering is done, towards end of fermentation you are slowly bringing the ferm temp down from roughly 55°f to roughly 34°f dropping roughly 2-3° per day
@tman93382 жыл бұрын
What happens when u brew Kviek at lower temp for IPA(70-74Deg ??)
@tman93382 жыл бұрын
I mean Voss Kviek??
@Jango19892 жыл бұрын
I haven't used kviek yet but I really want to and the general consensus I have found seems to be a stalled fermentation unless you're well up there with your temperature. Maybe others who have used it have managed to get it going at lower temperatures.
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
I've fermented kveik at room temperature or under 2 or 3 times now, and it didn't give me any issues, it just tasted cleaner than it does at a hotter temperature. The fermentation will be more like 10-14 days and you won't get the nice fruitiness that kveik gives at high temperatures, but there is nothing wrong with using it at room temp.
@tman93382 жыл бұрын
@@TheApartmentBrewer Ahhhh. I was getting impatient because I did another splatch and the other 5G batch (w starter) with S05 was blowing like an Orca. Brewed both in buckets to get sample without 02.
@theulsterexpat2 жыл бұрын
Surely if you have the room for the mini-fridge cooling system, you have room for a small larder fridge with an inkbird?...
@TheApartmentBrewer2 жыл бұрын
I wish, but believe me that is not the case! That mini fridge is just big enough to fit a tiny bucket. I usually also have multiple fermentations going on at the same time too
@theulsterexpat2 жыл бұрын
@@TheApartmentBrewer feel your pain. I live mid-terrace with no usable outdoor brewing space. I downsized to 10L inorder to accommodate a ferm fridge, but that doubles as my kegerator...
@Tallnerdyguy11 ай бұрын
None of the links work for any of the products lol...
@TheApartmentBrewer11 ай бұрын
Thanks for bringing that to my attention. I just updated the broken links.