Controlling fermentation temperature - building a fermentation chamber

[@jeremyhunter2319]

My wife and I have a friend living with us as a previous housemate moved out and she needed somewhere, but she's now moving out next month. We have an extra fridge just like this which is gonna get freed up. Well, I know what I'm doing!

[@marcusalves2901]

Thanks a lot for the instructions. I did exactly what you explained using the Inkbird and is working perfect! Very efficient and simple. Cheers

[@houch7640]

best design I've seen yet, thanks

[@gavbeattie]

Really, really well explained - thanks.

[@mmathews7724]

What is the heating stick called inside the fridge your using? I can make out what your calling it.

[@themaltmiller8438]

This video features something like this www.toolstation.com/dimplex-thermostatic-tubular-heater-ipx4/p17033 You can however use any plug in heat source such as a heat mat of belt. We do a bundle with the InkBird and a heating mat www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/fermentation-temperature-control-kit/

[@ukbeachfishing8425]

​@@themaltmiller8438 a little late, but would you say a heat tube works better than a heat matt? I've just purchased the kit you sell, but considering switching the heat matt for a tube, so it heats the air around the wort, therefore bringing the wort to a more even temperature, thankyou in advance.

[@jeffreykuipers9502]

This is very usefull information. Thanks a million

[@upsidedown1986]

Excellent thanks 👍

[@themaltmiller8438]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@amkanjoo]

Hi I have been brewing successfully for last eight months. I live in Cholistan desert in Pakistan (close to Indian border), our summers are very long and harsh, the temperature reaches up to 50 degrees celsius. During, my previous homebrewing experiences (wine/beers), the fermentation process ended in 17 - 19 days during summers. Winters are short but night time temperature drops a lot, this morning (December 14) when I checked my beer, there are very few bubbles, or I can say almost no fermentation, while it is only the 10th day today. I need to mention in the past, whether I brewed 5 liters, 7 or 10 liters, I have always used the dry yeast sachet of 10 grams regardless the quantity of liquid, but this time I have brewed 20 liters of beer and the amount of yeast I added was still the same (10 g pack). But anyway as it is the mid of winters and the temperature yesterday during the day time was 9 degrees c and during the night it was -1 last night so I need to ask: If this quicker completion of fermentation process is due to colder weather? Is it due to larger amount of liquid (20 liters) and less yeast (10 g)? Or shall I add some more yeast while the brew is already 10 days older? I thank you in advance, and hope that you would be able to answer as soon as you could. (whatsapp [phone])

[@themaltmiller8438]

Hello. I am sure you issue is temperature. To successfully ferment, at least with most ale yeasts you need a temperature of ideally 18-22c and most yeast will not start at much below that temperature. Is the yeast you are using a named variety? Let me know

[@lolasylvie2289]

Thank you. Is the probe waterproof? Can it be submerged in liquid?

[@themaltmiller8438]

Yes, but perhaps not for prolonged periods of time. You would be better off installing a thermowell if you are planning to put it into the FV as you can keep it sealed and sanitary then

[@lolasylvie2289]

@@themaltmiller8438 Thank you

[@richardwilkinson77]

Another great video guys. Any idea whether this would work with a freezer instead of a fridge? Second hand freezers seem easier to come by. It will just switch on a little less regularly right?

[@themaltmiller8438]

Yep, in theory it will work but, most upright freezers have fixed shelves with freezing elements inside, not so easy. However, chest freezers, you are good to go. Good Keezer, most are not tall enough to accommodate kegs but it’s easy to make a wooden collar.

[@_stars_at_nite_7184]

Big help! Thanks for the info.

[@LegendaryPkl]

Thank you for this. Subbed.

[@davidsimpson4000]

On the inkbird what was your setting difference, before it started to cool or heat

[@themaltmiller8438]

Generally we have the hysteresis (temp difference/tolerance) we set to 1.5c, you can change this in the Inkbird's settings

[@Norseman2]

I’m looking to setup a mini fridge for beer fermentation and I have a couple questions. Won’t this keep kicking the fridge on and off and greatly reduce the life of the compressor? Also won’t this cause the temp to fluctuate all day and night? How will it stay at a constant temperature with a variance between the “cool” and “heat”?

[@themaltmiller8438]

You have the ability to set a temperature differential on the controller, so as to avoid excess toggling of the heater or cooling side. We've used these systems in our brewing journey for years and not had issues with the fridges failing

[@NorsemanHomeBrewing]

@@themaltmiller8438👍🏼

[@levivalentinovideos]

I’ve purchased the Dimplex ECOT1FT Wall-Mounted Tubular Heater 40W 408 x 81mm the same as you have but there are loads of warnings in instructions about not covering it, plugging it into a switch device, leaving it alone, risk of fire, has anyone had any issues? Any tips?

[@sbc754]

what about a fermenter that needs to be warmer than outside, any tips?

[@themaltmiller8438]

Add a tube heater to the fridge, it just sits in the back and you can shut the door on the cable so no mods needed. If you are in the UK they are available at places like Argos and Toolstation.

[@jonathang.5092]

Could you use a heat belt or a heat pad instead of the greenhouse heater. I already have these and I'm trying to do this on a budget (don't tell the wife!)

[@themaltmiller8438]

Yes, you can but if doing so it is best to use a thermowell in your fermenter. www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/thermowell-stainless-100mm-weldless/

[@gibbos1985]

Hi. I've just bought all the bits to make this. Is there no vent needed to let ant heat escape? Thanks

[@themaltmiller8438]

I've never had any vent on the ones I've built. A nice addition is a fan to help move the heat around inside and its something I'll be adding to mine soon

[@kyradesignskyra7191]

@@themaltmiller8438 i cant find a "heat tube" on amazon... can you be more specific

[@markwherry]

@@kyradesignskyra7191 www.screwfix.com/p/dimplex-ecot1ft-wall-mounted-tubular-heater-40w-408-x-81mm/3951f

[@leandro.cavalheiro]

Whats the item in 0:53 seconds?? ( my english is very bad and do not undestand the name )

[@themaltmiller8438]

It is a heater, commonly called a bar heater in the UK.

[@christianberglund1482]

@@themaltmiller8438 Could you add a link to that specific item? Would be nice :)

[@mickodonnell890]

@@christianberglund1482 www.amazon.co.uk/Dimplex-Ecot1ft-Thermostatic-Tubular-Heater/dp/B00NT0X8K2/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=dimplex+ecot1ft&qid=1589658016&sr=8-1

[@richardearnshaw6344]

Is the glass shelf strong enough to support a full fermenter? Have you had them shatter or slip out of the liner slots?

[@jeremyroenick2202]

They should be, but if you worry you could put something sturdy underneath it to support the shelf

[@6581punk]

No problems as of yet, but I'm careful not to let the fermenter rest on it solely for long. Probably better to get some stainless steel made up to the same size.

[@calebvroon7429]

I typed in heat tube in amazon and I couldn't find anything that looked like what you have

[@hamishgraham8875]

You might get away with a heat belt or heat mat?

[@philster1686]

Search on Amazon for dimplex ecot2ft tubular heater

[@certaindeaf8632]

@@philster1686 Careful, 1ft fits my fridge, 2ft will not.

[@philster1686]

@@certaindeaf8632 thanks for the heads up on that one probably would have ordered the wrong one otherwise :)

[@sergei7502]

Can you help me out? What is the name of that tube heater, I can't find it on Amazon.

[@GrumpyOldMan70]

Inkbird temperature controller is what I used on Amazon to find the US version.

[@levivalentinovideos]

I got one in Screwfix exactly the same Dimplex ECOT1FT Wall-Mounted Tubular Heater 40W 408 x 81mm

[@paskrell]

I am wondering if turning the fridge on and off constantly will not damage it. Where is that the way it works anyway? Are you putting it on maximal cooling or are you adjusting the fridges thermostat to the rough temperature that you’re looking for? Also what is the added value of the heater? Thx a lot

[@thestuff4321]

You can set a compressor delay on the inkbird

[@ernestomilanese2693]

Any experience with fitting a Fermzilla in a fridge like the one shown?

[@dang2443]

Did the fridge have a little freezer section you had to remove?

[@themaltmiller8438]

No, not o this one

[@mitchellburns2873]

As I home distiller I want to know if this will work for fermenting a wash for a still as it is best being kept between 30-40 degrees Celsius

[@themaltmiller8438]

Mitchell Burns no reason it wouldn’t as long as you have a good enough heat source. The one I have at home I’ve fermented at 35c

[@mitchellburns2873]

@@themaltmiller8438 great. Thanks for the advice

[@matthewbrown5677]

Do you have override the fridge thermostat.

[@tedschuurmans]

Hello Matthew, you don't have to override the fridge thermostat. Since the connector of the fridge is in the inkbird, this will in fact switch on the cooling part. Set the fridge thermostat to medium or half way and it will work fine !

[@6581punk]

Fridge temps are often much lower than ferment temps. You tend to use a fridge at about 8 degrees C or so.

[@houch7640]

can you get these heaters will US Voltage? can't find them on amazon

[@GrumpyOldMan70]

Inkbird temperature controller is what I used on Amazon to find the US version.

[@poisonpotato1]

What type of fridge is it? Do you have to modify it to get the bucket to fit?

[@tedschuurmans]

Find a fridge too fit your fermenting bucket. Best is to search for a fridge with no "Freezer" section.

[@6581punk]

At least 112 litre capacity. The fermenter it always on the first shelf due to the compressor taking up space at the bottom. So you need to measure from the first shelf upwards. I fit a Fermzilla 30L in my Russell Hobbs RHUCLF2B but I have to use a smaller airlock than standard to get it in.

[@jimstiff9123]

Great Video! 😉

[@23pinti]

Hi, I'm a beginner homebrewer and I wonder how you can put the temperature probe inside the fermenter if oxygen is not supposed to be able to enter inside

[@themaltmiller8438]

Pau pintó it doesn’t need to be inside the fv

[@edchase1900]

Thermo tube, a SS tube that sits in middle of wort.

[@williamrobinson9653]

Looks like a neoprene jacket on the grainfather conical? Where can I find them??? I don't see them on the grainfather website. I need 2 of these?

[@themaltmiller8438]

www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/the-grainfather-conical-coat/

[@williamrobinson9653]

Thank you but can this be shipped to Florida USA 33955?

[@themaltmiller8438]

Sorry @@williamrobinson9653 we don't ship to the US

[@theNVvm]

Hi, may I check if the fridge is switched on and off many times, will it break down easily?

[@themaltmiller8438]

The Inkbird controllers have a setting that means the fridge won't flicker on/off there is a compressor delay.

[@Taankangoze]

Ser Davos Seaworth

[@MRAIRTIME112]

ahmet cahit Tuzcu YES! I was looking for this comment haha

[@junkyard_boxer8995]

Your better off getting a fridge that has a steady temp a digital wine cooler that inkbird is junk it doesn't always kick in plus going off and on all the time will eventually destroy your compressor waste of time

[@themaltmiller8438]

I've run fridges and freezers on ink birds for years, no issues with the compressor, you just need to adjust your settings so it doesn't go on/off all the time and it has a delay.

[@junkyard_boxer8995]

@@themaltmiller8438 then mine must be faulty ive calibrating and adjusting and still doesn't work I set it to 10 degrees and it kicks in at 16 Celsius

[@6581punk]

I hacked my fridge and use BrewPi and Brewblox.

[@FLDX-ck4ob]

I hate the autotune or whatever sound in the background. It destroys my braincells faster than alcohol. Don't use it anymore, please. Normal people can watch videos without tiktok music. Thank you. Good videos though, that I appreciate.

[@ilanmagen]

inkbird product support is crap

[@themaltmiller8438]

ilan magen If you buy from us it is The Malt Miller who will carry out your product support. And ours is awesome;)

[@jacquesnieuwoudt5429]

Hi. Was wondering if you could use this on a chest freezer. I want to be able to have more than one fermenter in the freezer?

[@themaltmiller8438]

No reason why not, I have seen others using Inkbirds on keezers