A wise man once said that the brewer only makes the wort, while the yeast makes the beer. The yeast must therefore thrive. This is your job as a brewer, where the key lies in good temperature control.
Therefore, we will not go into depth on the fermentation process itself, but rather explain why temperature control is so important, and what solutions might be relevant for you.
Happy yeast makes good beer
One can write long articles about yeast and the fermentation process, but for the average homebrewer, it can quickly become too much dry material. Therefore, we will not go into great depth on that, but rather explain a little about why temperature control is so important, and what solutions might be relevant.
To simply explain how yeast works, yeast is a living organism that eats sugar and converts it into alcohol and CO2.
If these critters are not happy and allowed to eat in peace, they can produce various off-flavors that are not desirable in finished beer. These off-flavors can come in the form of butter, popcorn, and spices; solvents, bandages, and plasters. In addition, some more demanding yeast strains can balk and refuse to ferment further if they are not satisfied.
Other factors that can play a role are whether there is enough yeast and whether it is fresh (healthy). Storage before adding to the fermentation vessel is also important and can affect whether fermentation starts or not.
Why invest in temperature control?
Just like other organisms, yeast does not like it if it is too hot or too cold. Although a good brewing machine can be beneficial, temperature control is one of the smartest investments you can make to truly leap in quality. Different yeast strains produce different flavors, but the same yeast can also produce different flavors at different temperatures.
With full control over the temperature, you will also be able to make changes to your recipes to perfect your beer. There are several methods to keep track of this, and many good measuring instruments that make the job easier.
Stable temperature is crucial for the fermentation process
One of the most important things about temperature is that it remains stable over time. Many a homebrewer has been burned by placing the fermentation vessel in a room they think is stable:
- A room that is 18 degrees in the evening does not necessarily maintain the same temperature when the sun shines the next day.
- The yeast itself produces a lot of heat, especially at the beginning of the fermentation process during vigorous fermentation.
Even if the room is around 18 degrees in the evening, it can quickly reach up to 30 degrees when the sun shines directly on the vessel the next morning, only to drop again as soon as the sun disappears behind the house. Nevertheless, a room with stable temperature will be a better solution than large changes during the fermentation process. In winter, for example, a cold cellar combined with a simple heat source can be a solution.
Take control of the environment
Choosing a refrigerator with a thermostat is a good start. It is simple, cheap, and a good option for controlling the temperature during fermentation. Often, you can get a cheap, maybe even free, refrigerator with space for a fermentation bucket.
There are several options for controlling the thermostat, but for simplicity, we can recommend Inkbird WIFI ITC-308. This is a good and inexpensive option that controls both cooling and heating during fermentation. Plug the refrigerator into the cooling outlet on the Inkbird, and preferably a heat source into the other outlet for heating. Place the temperature probe into or against the fermentation vessel, and set the temperature as you wish. The Inkbird does the rest of the job for you. Simple, smart, and inexpensive.
We also recommend a heat source for full control, such as a heating mat that is glued around the fermentation vessel, or a heat pad that is placed under the fermentation vessel. If you want to further simplify the process, a thermowell might be the solution for you. Place the probe well inside the fermentation vessel without it coming into contact with the beer for the most precise measurement.
Ferminator revolutionizes temperature control
Brewolution in Denmark has recently developed a good and affordable system, Ferminator, which provides full temperature control during fermentation. The concept is in many ways similar to the refrigerator solution, but the cabinet itself is built from ESP/styrofoam:
- The construction makes the cabinet easy to handle and can be disassembled when not in use.
- Included in the package is a unit that provides both cooling and heating.
- Control unit to set the temperature as you want it.
- Fan for good internal circulation.
- Low price and good insulation capacity.
Extension modules are also offered for the cabinet, so that the cabinet can be built to fit exactly the fermentation vessel you have, and even for Corny kegs to keep your finished beer cold.
Glycol cooling
With a glycol chiller, we are talking about real temperature control, in addition to the possibility of efficient cold crashing after fermentation for beer clarification. Recently, several smart solutions have also emerged that allow you to use glycol cooling in ordinary fermentation vessels.
First and foremost, a proper glycol chiller from, for example, Quantor, Lindr or Grainfather is needed. These can cool a mixture of water and glycol to sub-zero temperatures. It goes without saying that this provides a fast and efficient cooling effect. In stainless steel fermentation vessels from, for example, Brewtools or Grainfather, the cooling liquid is pumped through a double wall in the fermentation vessel (jacket cooling), while in other tanks, the cooling liquid flows through a cooling coil in the lid or side of the vessel.
Water cooling
A cheaper alternative to glycol is water cooling. This works in many ways similar to glycol cooling, but instead, cold water is pumped through the cooling solution from a tap or an ice bath. There are several "do-it-yourself" solutions: a solenoid valve that opens and closes the cold water tap for you, or a submersible pump that can pump an ice bath through the cooling system. Our "Temp Control Pump Kit" with a submersible pump and Inkbird temperature controller is a popular option for this.
Here, it's simply imagination that sets the limits, and the possibilities are great for those who can call themselves handy.
If you need advice on choosing temperature control and a glycol chiller, whether for homebrewing or a professional setup, please feel free to contact us.
