Ultimate way to Control Fermentation!

How to economically manage multiple fermentation temperatures in your brew room. Please share with us your fermentation set ups!
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I’ve been asked many times in the past how to control the temperature of your fermenter when the tap water exceeds the desired fermentation temperature. I’ve seen lot’s of expensive equipment implemented, and I thought that there has to be a better way. The most common is fermentation fridges or fermentation chambers, and brewers would either lug a carboy into a deep freezer set to a thermostat, or buy a fermenter small enough to fit into a refrigerator. Both of these methods work, but let’s be honest, they're a pain in the ass. What if you want to ferment a lager, and a porter at the same time? That means that you’ll need 2 refrigerators, right? Not necessarily.
I struggled with this problem myself, using tap water to ferment my brew and I’ve been using tap water controlled by a solenoid to regulate the fermentation temperatures in my conical fermenters. While it works fine, I wanted to get away from wasting so much water.
The solution I came up with started with a compressor driven aquarium water chiller. Water chillers chill water, but need to have the liquid pushed through them, so I use an aquarium magnetic drive pump for that. It can chill up to 3 fermenters at different temperatures at the same time, using just this single pump and a small aquarium chiller and a custom made pair of manifolds to add, or remove fermenters as you wish. This setup has room for expansion, and in fact it would be a perfect solution to chill multiple fermenters in a micro or nano brewery, sized appropriately. If you want to chill a single fermenter, or multiple fermenters, this tutorial should give you a good starting point. Now your cooling requirements will differ based on these factors; the ambient room temperature, the GPM flow of the water pump through the chiller, the size of fermenter and the number of fermenters you are planning on adding to the closed loop.
If you are running a bigger set up than what I’m using for this tutorial, you’ll need to properly size up your cooling needs so that you purchase a properly sized fermenter.
Learn how to actually build this setup at brausupply.com
brausupply.com/blogs/news/per...

[@rev.andyh.1082]

Just when I was feeling proud about my “superior” homemade temperature control setup, I find this guy on who uses all my ideas. Except he made something much better.

[@billmcdonald2436]

Nice set up!

[@Unsub-Me-Now]

That is next level.

[@sesgigikimo]

Good idea, thanks sharing.

[@Xplorerman]

As a starting brewer this video is a lot of help since i can dodge a 1000$ glycol chiller

[@jazzyboydc]

Nice setup. Alot cheaper than purchasing a glycol chiller. But personally I would set the water temperature as low as it goes. Cuz it doesnt matter the solenoids still would kick on when cooling is needed. Because the water is colder. U would be able to increase ur cooling capacity. Thus you would be able to ferment more beers. Idk just a thought

[@bishopu]

Noticed one of your return lines to the ice chest was close off. Not sure if you meant for that. Otherwise great system man. Keep up the good work!

[@OldNorsebrewery]

Clever setup. Cheers

[@elmailderamiro]

hi, very nice set up, if you put that the controllers control in paralel the water pump and the chiller? maybe you will safe energy putin them off , just an idea, thanks!

[@johnnyguitwithit2614]

My goodness, I need that!

[@PetraKann]

The solenoid valves are simple on/off valves. In industry there are systems where not only the temperature of the cooling water is controlled but also the flow rate. The valves are control valves that can vary the flow rate (there are also variable speed pumps that can be used to vary the flow rate. In that case you can control the temperature of your fermentation vessel without the use of a valve). I dont have the problem highlighted in this video because I only have one fermentation vessel and therefore only run fermentations one at a time. Still, if you can afford the controllers and the water chilling equipment this is certainly one option for running more than one fermentation vessel at the same time.

[@wahmunchoo4302]

What's the model of the water chiller details.? The link in the blog seems like showing different product. Surely can get to 3deg Celcius?

[@benjaminhurmx]

Nice job sure beats two frige taking up the garage.

[@lahaugen]

This is incredible. You are brilliant and have inspired me to build something like this. I was able to pick up a quality used 1/4hp chiller. Eventually, I would like to have three 30 liter conicals running off of it. I have a few questions if you don’t mind sparing a minute. First, is my 1/4hp going to be okay for this or is there any reason I should downsize my chiller? Second, is it necessary to use a 900 gph pump like you have or can I go smaller to save a little energy/noise/etc? Roughly what is the pressure in the lines from the pump so I can find an appropriate check valve? Also, how much did your check valves and solenoids cost you? Thank you so much!

[@Vscustomprinting]

whats up on fermenting grains for cereal.. this seems like a nice way to try to modulate a cereal grains microbial constituent.. maybe to introduce even better b12 producing families, or flavor profiles (experimental), enhanced folate.. i dont drink beer, but i make some pretty good fermented porridge

[@limulus61]

Nice clean system you have. Is yours just water and no glycol? I have a similar loop in my garage using a glycol chiller. Your system seems to be much quieter. The pump on my glycol chiller is on the outside and always running. The compressor takes the volume up a little more when it cycles on but we don't hear it inside the house. Using the glycol chiller, I can take my beer down to under 40F.

[@scoobythis]

Can you provide the Brand and Model number of the Water Chiller you used? This is an awesome setup!

[@AndyObrian]

Eventually want to do something like this, but I think I will use a pump instead of a solenoid. I’m not very handy you see.

[@vespaspecial3495]

May i know the size of the two Unibräu Pro ? One seems to be very small

[@barleyboy13]

I’ve built a similar system except I’m using 1/2” pvc and 3/8” lines to and from the reservoir, I’m having issues with the check valve not closing when the solenoid is open. I’m using the same pump as you. What could be preventing the check valve from closing?

[@dannybernardo8936]

would you be able/willing to provide a parts list?

[@mediamukbang4048]

I'm new to brewing and have a conical with a wort chiller and want to maintain the temperature inside the conical to 77 F with the wart chiller. How would I achieve this outcome?

[@darrencole2000]

Why is the return shut off on your smaller conical?

[@davidbeiler6364]

this is freakn sweet. do you still use this setup? I see the temperature controller, but how does that actually control the temp?

[@davidbeiler6364]

question, does the system use the same amount of water throughout the whole fermentation process?

[@Tx-do9fe]

Do you have any personal resources on someone with no experience at all getting started in brewing? Also is it good to use this system to maybe make Mead?

[@rob1113]

Great setup and great video. Question for you: why does it seem like so many guys choose glycol and not this water system? Also, is there anything you would change or do different if u built it again? And lastly, how cold can you get the wort/beer down to with this assuming the ambient air (room temp) is around 72-80 degrees? Cheers

[@rob1113]

Bräu Supply appreciate the advice and thanks for the reply.

[@wusaka]

i recommand use 1/3 Propylene glycol + 2/3 distill water replace water in auqa chiller. i use 33% gylcol in resun CL650. The temp can get it to -8 °C ~ -12 °C. it more efficiency than water.

[@ArchieLuxtonGB]

Though the glycol mixture is less efficient at transferring heat than pure water - so unless you want to cold crash to ~0-2°C there's no need, you'll also save money keeping the chilled water at a slightly higher temp.

[@wusaka]

Archie Luxton now i use kevik yeast to ferment my beer. it's fit most style. no need temp control.

[@fuegotrino]

Do you have more info on the solenoid? How to wire? Model?

[@fuegotrino]

Bräu Supply Nice setup! Cheers!

[@kiennguyentrung8396]

What is brandname of fermenter?

[@joshliesmaki8827]

How cold will your system go?

[@rasolante]

Your manifold is missing 2 valves. Unless I'm missing something? The chill water supply and return are mixing in the manifold. They need to be isolated.

[@rasolante]

Yep, I'm a dumbass. Lol. Great setup. Are you able to do lagers with that chiller?

[@brewtime3919]

good setup. i did the same thing but with a A/C unit. i put up some videos on my youtube page. check it out