brewing in the shed

Spanish_brewer · Jan 30, 2013

I am planing to make my first brew in the shed as my wife wouldn't have the wort in the house. however I have read that fermentation for ales needs to take place at 18-22 c. Obviously the shed would be too cold for it. Do you know of any tricks or gadgets ( not too costly), I can use?

Thank you for your help

pittsy · Jan 30, 2013

Hi , yes an excellent way is to get a larger container (around 70l storage container here in uk Â£7) and a 100w aquarium heater (in uk Â£15) pop your fv in container with water and use heater in container , that's what i use .

Sean_Mc · Jan 30, 2013

I have an old cupboard lined with insulation. A tube heater attached to a room thermostat and set to 18c :thumb:

Spanish_brewer · Jan 30, 2013

Great ideas but a bit complicated for me, I was thinking of a gadget ready for it like a fermenter with a thermostat or some thing. Any ideas?

alawlor66430 · Jan 30, 2013

Just need to stick an aquarium heater in but you'd be better in the house to be honest at this time of year

Spanish_brewer · Jan 30, 2013

Just need to stick an aquarium heater in

In the fermenting bin with the wort?

johnnie · Jan 30, 2013

These heaters can go in the fermenting bin. http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... eater.html but I've heard they can create heat spots.

Cyclops · Jan 30, 2013

best way is to get a bucket and place you fv in it, then put some water in the bucket and add the fish tank heater. Job done and takes only a few minutes. Also prevents any mess from the fermentation getting a bit too happy.

Spanish_brewer · Jan 30, 2013

Thank you very much for your tip. After applying my Spanish charm my wife has allow me to ferment the wort in the cupboard under the stairs which is right below the airing cupboard where the water tank is. I have left a thermometer there for about an hour and the temperature is 18.5 degrees. Iâll guess during the night itâll drop a couple of degrees and during the day/evening (when the heating is on) will go above 18.5. That should be ok?
Now that springs to mind 2 more questions 1st would it smell too much? 2nd once I have bottled the beer what temperature can it be store. Can the bottles go in shed (7 â 11c)?
Thank again for your help

evanvine · Jan 30, 2013

Cyclops said:
best way is to get a bucket and place you fv in it, then put some water in the bucket and add the fish tank heater. Job done and takes only a few minutes. Also prevents any mess from the fermentation getting a bit too happy.

It would need to be a bloody big bucket!

Cyclops · Jan 30, 2013

evanvine said:
Cyclops said:

best way is to get a bucket and place you fv in it, then put some water in the bucket and add the fish tank heater. Job done and takes only a few minutes. Also prevents any mess from the fermentation getting a bit too happy.

Click to expand...

It would need to be a bloody big bucket!

I didnt say what sort of buckt :rofl:

I used one of those flexible builders buckets and it fits my FV in no problem. :party: : cheers:

Capone · Jan 30, 2013

Hi,

I have used an immersion heater for many batches now and ive not had any problems with it.

I ordered a new FV and heat belt the other day and i tried the heat belt tonight as i was racking my coopers larger into
a secondary, but i did not feel any heat coming off the belt i dont know if they take along time to heat up but after 5 mins of holding it
i felt no change in temp.

The belt went back into the box maybe works maybe not ill check it out another day but i will say the immersion heat is a good buy.

Good Luck :thumb:

evanvine · Jan 30, 2013

Capone said:
i felt no change in temp.

Brew belts do get quite warm, suggest you check plug wiring and fuse!

pittsy · Jan 30, 2013

evanvine said:
Capone said:

i felt no change in temp.

Click to expand...

Brew belts do get quite warm, suggest you check plug wiring and fuse!

i suggest you take it back , they often get to 27c , way too hot .

puravida · Jan 30, 2013

My suggestion would be to take your wife out for a lovely meal, no expense spared, and subtly drop in to the conversation how much money home brewing will save and wonder how she may like to spend those savings each month? Nights out? Shopping? Holidays? Spa?

Oh.... And you don't mind if I just leave this little bucket in the house for a few weeks do you??

Worked for me :thumb:
Cheaper and easier than most other options in my opinion.

evanvine · Jan 30, 2013

Bet she doesn't ask you when she brings things into the house!
Smelly pot plants full of bugs and flies, they'll have to go when you bring your beer in.

anthonyUK · Jan 31, 2013

If your wife likes wine or cider you can also make that

How much is not too expensive? This setup could be had for the price of a couple of decent kits.
Running costs are pennies a week.

Jan 31, 2013

Cyclops said:
best way is to get a bucket and place you fv in it, then put some water in the bucket and add the fish tank heater. Job done and takes only a few minutes. Also prevents any mess from the fermentation getting a bit too happy.

i like this idea ...
but i have a problem fv...has a tap sticking out that is lower than the base ...
heres a pic...

can i still use this way ..by turning my tap so its at a 90 % angle
regards mick... :hat: .

Markus · Jan 31, 2013

Spanish_brewer said:
After applying my Spanish charm my wife has allow me to ferment the wort in the cupboard under the stairs which is right below the airing cupboard where the water tank is. I have left a thermometer there for about an hour and the temperature is 18.5 degrees. Iâll guess during the night itâll drop a couple of degrees and during the day/evening (when the heating is on) will go above 18.5. That should be ok?
Now that springs to mind 2 more questions 1st would it smell too much?

I also ferment in the same cupboard that my water tank is in. It has been a steady 19 degrees every time I checked it. Our water heating comes on for an hour in the morning and an hour or two in the evening. The only time the temperature in the cupboard dropped was when we ran out of heating oil. Only wish I had room for a second fermenter in there :thumb:

pittsy · Jan 31, 2013

yes you can , i have 1 fv the same :thumb:

brewing in the shed

Help Support The Homebrew Forum:

Active Member

Landlord.

Regular.

Active Member

Landlord.

Active Member

Well-Known Member

Landlord.

Active Member

Landlord.

Landlord.

Active Member

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Landlord.

Guest

Well-Known Member

Landlord.

Similar threads

Join the conversation!

Join today and get all the highlights of this community direct to your inbox. It's FREE!