Nov 2004
Too Cold - Heat it up!
November, 2004 Filed in: Wine making
As we move into the temperature challenged time of year and worry about million dollar per Gigajoule natural gas your yeast may also be challenged. If you have trouble maintaining warmer temperatures in your primary fermentor, you may want to consider a brew belt. These devices fit around your primary and run off electricity. They have a built in thermostat so they won’t overheat.
What is the ideal temperature? Temperatures should not dip below 18C (68F). What is also important is fluctuating temperatures which yeast does not “like”. If you have a programmable thermostat and lower your house temperatures at night this could be a problem for your yeast. So consider a brew belt. I personally am trying to figure out how to attach one to my wife’s feet so I don’t get the Popsicle feeling each night. Sssshhh, don’t tell her I said that.
What is the ideal temperature? Temperatures should not dip below 18C (68F). What is also important is fluctuating temperatures which yeast does not “like”. If you have a programmable thermostat and lower your house temperatures at night this could be a problem for your yeast. So consider a brew belt. I personally am trying to figure out how to attach one to my wife’s feet so I don’t get the Popsicle feeling each night. Sssshhh, don’t tell her I said that.