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I haven't brewed beer since 2001. I used to brew fairly often. I did 10 gallon all grain batches. Generally a pale ale, but I would branch out from time to time.
Doing 10 gallon batches was kind of a pain because I'd have to split the wort up into 2 fermenters.
Apparently these 15 gallon plastic conicals are pretty popular anymore, and not to expensive, so I picked one up.
But I needed a stand for it. In addition, it really helps if you can control the ambient temperature during fermentation. Too high a temp can cause off flavors to develop. so I built this box and lined it with styrofoam insulation. It has a couple of 4" vent holes cut into it. I will connect these vents with insulated ductwork to my 'keezer'.
(A keezer is a chest freezer that is used to store kegged beer in. You use an external temperature control to keep the beer at serving temperature. Typically you remove the lid and make a wooden collar about 6 inches tall that goes around the top of the freezer. You use that collar to mount the taps to, so you don't have to drill holes in the freezer.)
I'll use a thermostatically controlled pc fan to keep the fermentation chamber at my desired temperature.
In theory, this will allow me to brew and ferment beer all year round now, even during the heat of summer. In winter I can use a small heat mat to keep the temperature up high enough for fermentation.
Getting closer to being ready to brew again! Actually, I'll be brewing first thing in the morning...
Doing 10 gallon batches was kind of a pain because I'd have to split the wort up into 2 fermenters.
Apparently these 15 gallon plastic conicals are pretty popular anymore, and not to expensive, so I picked one up.
But I needed a stand for it. In addition, it really helps if you can control the ambient temperature during fermentation. Too high a temp can cause off flavors to develop. so I built this box and lined it with styrofoam insulation. It has a couple of 4" vent holes cut into it. I will connect these vents with insulated ductwork to my 'keezer'.
(A keezer is a chest freezer that is used to store kegged beer in. You use an external temperature control to keep the beer at serving temperature. Typically you remove the lid and make a wooden collar about 6 inches tall that goes around the top of the freezer. You use that collar to mount the taps to, so you don't have to drill holes in the freezer.)
I'll use a thermostatically controlled pc fan to keep the fermentation chamber at my desired temperature.
In theory, this will allow me to brew and ferment beer all year round now, even during the heat of summer. In winter I can use a small heat mat to keep the temperature up high enough for fermentation.
Getting closer to being ready to brew again! Actually, I'll be brewing first thing in the morning...