Summer methods

General homebrew discussion, tips and help on kit and malt extract brewing, and talk about equipment. Queries on sourcing supplies and equipment should go in The Store.
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lethaldog
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Post by lethaldog »

Biggles wrote:Hey I just asked this morning, at an appliance repair place near my work, if it was possible to get a thermostat to run a fridge at anywhere between 12 and 22 degrees. I was told NO and why would I want to, when I replied 'for home brewing', he laughed and said home brew needs 26+ to work properly.

I just smiled and walked out.
Fridgemate is great at $47.50
Have a look at this http://www.mashmaster.com.au
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OldEvan
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Post by OldEvan »

had my fermenter sitting in a broken fridge in the shed today (not allowed to brew in the house!). Got home from work and the beer was at 28 degrees.

Out to the back yard, sprayed the fermenter with a hose to cool it off, then sat it on icepacks with a wet towel around it...still only got down to 24 but at least its not cooking the yeast. Hopefully the brew comes out ok
shane_vor
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Post by shane_vor »

WHY? Do you realise how long it takes to alter the temp of 20 plus litres of fluid????


I've used the wet towel, fan and ice method but only in summer when the temp was constantly high.

Yes, I'll probably get flamed for this, it's not unlike the hydrometer threads...but I'm souped up on winter-brewed pilsner!!!
"Happy have we met,

Happy have we been.

Happy may we part

And happy meet again."
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Cortez The Killer
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Post by Cortez The Killer »

He came dancing across the water.
Cortez, Cortez. What a killer!
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lethaldog
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Post by lethaldog »

Finally got the temp down to a reasonable level so now its just wait and see what happens :lol:
OldEvan
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Post by OldEvan »

after a bit of thinking I have decided I might order a fridgemate in the next week or so to whack on my brothers fridge (which works!).

A little worried about wiring it, but I have techy friends who can help and I will photograph the steps and maybe make a little tutorial on it
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lethaldog
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Post by lethaldog »

The wiring is a piece of piss mate, they give you a diagram with it and its not rocket science so you will be fine, im no sparky and i did my own. :lol:
Biggles
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Post by Biggles »

Ive just scored a working fridge (with the old style wire racks inside) for $120. Might just have to get fridgemate for it now.
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Boonie
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Post by Boonie »

Biggles wrote:Ive just scored a working fridge (with the old style wire racks inside) for $120. Might just have to get fridgemate for it now.
Went to a party Saturday and complained about heat and need for Fridge for brewing :lol: :lol: :lol: Uncle Al came up with, I have a Free Working Fridge :lol: :lol: :lol:

Woohoo, Fridgemate here I come :D
A homebrew is like a fart, only the brewer thinks it's great.
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lethaldog
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Post by lethaldog »

congrats boonie :lol: wish someone would give me a free fridge im looking at buying a second for the shed now :lol: :lol:
Biggles
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Post by Biggles »

Fridgemate will be on its way soon.

Woo Hoo

I just received my order from TCB, I have a WetPack Pilsner and Wheat Beer to do now.
OldBugman
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Post by OldBugman »

The other day while brewing up a brew on the outdoor bbq I was thinking.... Wouldnt it be great to turn my small laundry into a coolroom running at 12deg.

Being a fridgee I then set about doing the cals and costings of this endevour as I continued to sip from my beer and stir the boiling pot.

It was all coming together until I let my plans slip into the hands of the misses who promptly put and end to the endevour.
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rwh
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Post by rwh »

Why? Cost? Or the prospect of doing washing in 12 degrees? :lol:
w00t!
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Timmsy
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Post by Timmsy »

OldBugman wrote:The other day while brewing up a brew on the outdoor bbq I was thinking.... Wouldnt it be great to turn my small laundry into a coolroom running at 12deg.

Being a fridgee I then set about doing the cals and costings of this endevour as I continued to sip from my beer and stir the boiling pot.

It was all coming together until I let my plans slip into the hands of the misses who promptly put and end to the endevour.
hahahaha nice one
Ah, beer, my one weakness. My Achille's heel, if you will.
damonpeyo
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Post by damonpeyo »

ACTbrewer - Did you clean the shower before you took the picture of it? :lol:
timmy
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Post by timmy »

Just a note on the Fridgemates:

Jaycar do a kit that does the same thing if you're handy with a soldering iron or really into DIY.
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rwh
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Post by rwh »

Had a look, and I reckon the fridgemate is better. Three options, the first one is more expensive, and the other two aren't as good:

High Range Adjustable Temperature Switch with LCD
Temperature Switch Kit B048
Economy Adjustable Temperature Switch
w00t!
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Timmsy
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Post by Timmsy »

timmy wrote:Just a note on the Fridgemates:

Jaycar do a kit that does the same thing if you're handy with a soldering iron or really into DIY.
Cheers for the heads up. But im not into DIY i think i will go for the fridgmate... Its scaring me with the wiring as it is... :oops: :oops:
Ah, beer, my one weakness. My Achille's heel, if you will.
Beerpig
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Post by Beerpig »

Timmsy

If wiring is a worry go for an Aldoheat from Grain & Grape

Just plug it in & set your temperature

Cheers
atropine
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Post by atropine »

I am in qld where it will be weeks for over 30degree temps in summer. I only just started brewing so this will be the first time I will have to work out how to keep the fermenter cool.

I was going to buy a 2kg brick (or whatever they're called) of dry ice and either put the brick in the broken fridge in the garage or put it directly under the fermenter.

Have to wrap newspaper around it as it will be far too cold for direct contact with the fermenter but wrapping newspaper around it also ensures the brick will keep staying cold for a number of days. I think I"ll use an insulated bag to put the dry ice on and seal it around the bottom of the fermenter.
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