brewlove 0 Posted January 12, 2011 Hi guys, I know this has probably been covered somewhere on the forums but I thought I would ask. I've had my first ever batch of WCPA in the fermenter for a few days. The temp in the room where I keep it stays between 67 - 70, but when I checked the temp on the temp strip it said 64. Is 64 too cold or am I okay? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
clg1981 0 Posted January 12, 2011 It will be ok mine said the same and im drinking it now :gulp: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brewlove 0 Posted January 12, 2011 I had planned on leaving it in at least 14 days. With that temp do you think I should wait an extra few? I may also pick up a hydrometer before bottling day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jeffrey Sp8 0 Posted January 12, 2011 I believe the proper temp is 68 to 76 degrees, If it possible to move your keg to raise the temp a few degrees that would help and maybe let it ferment a few days longer also Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDBrewer26 0 Posted January 12, 2011 Hey brewlove,I had the same concern. My my first batch of WCPA has been fermenting for 2 weeks at an even lower temp...below 62.Based on some answers I received, you should be ok. However, you should probably let it ferment for 3 full weeks just to make sure it's done. The yeast will work at that temp, but it will be a slower fermentation, which some people prefer. Mine was not intentional...I just didnt have a thermometer until recently.If you wanted to try and bring the temp up a bit, you could place it in a cooler with warm bottles of water, or even cover it with a warm blanket. But from what I have been told, 64 probably isn't that bad.Hope this helps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packerduf 2 Posted January 12, 2011 64 is a great temperature for fermentation IMO, even with the MB yeast. No worries. But at that temperature, I prefer to ferment a full 3 weeks.....just to be sure the yeast has completely finished its work. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bpbpthomas 0 Posted January 12, 2011 My kegs are in my basement, which is around 62 degrees, even right next to the heater and under a blanket. (I live near Chicago.) I let my batches go 19-21 days in the keg, and they've been fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Metzger Brewing 0 Posted January 12, 2011 I kind of had a similar experience with my fermentor. Mine dropped to 64 and just as a precaution, I put a towel over the top of it and placed it in a cooler. The temp has stayed consistently around 67 degrees. I knew it wasn't necessary, but I figured why not give it a try and see what happens. A good learning experience...that happen to work and kept the fermentor in the happy temp range. :laugh: Happy Brewing Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
brewlove 0 Posted January 12, 2011 Thanks for all the advice you guys!This forum rocks and you guys are a great help for us newbies!When I finally get this batch finished I will hoist a mug in the air for all of you! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kealia 3 Posted January 12, 2011 You'll be fine. Most yeast seems to work 'better' and the lower end of their ranges (meaning they get less stressed and throw off less esters). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gophers6 1,587 Posted January 12, 2011 Sounds like 1 of your thermometers is off. How can the keg be 64 if the room is 67-70? At any rate you should be fine. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZiggyZag 0 Posted January 12, 2011 What type of Thermometer can we attach to Keg? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
packerduf 2 Posted January 13, 2011 bpgreen wrote:...The drawback to the stick-ons I bought is they only go down to 64 and I like to brew a bit lower than that, so I just try to keep the temperature too cool to register and only worry if the beer doesn't start fermenting....Midwest Supplies sell the Dual Scale Liquid Thermometers that have a range of 39-81 degrees. They are on-sale right now for $1.25. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bpgreen 209 Posted January 13, 2011 packerduf wrote:bpgreen wrote:...The drawback to the stick-ons I bought is they only go down to 64 and I like to brew a bit lower than that, so I just try to keep the temperature too cool to register and only worry if the beer doesn't start fermenting....Midwest Supplies sell the Dual Scale Liquid Thermometers that have a range of 39-81 degrees. They are on-sale right now for $1.25. Woohoo!In for two. Used cheapest shipping and started adding Nottingham and US-05 yeast since the shipping didn't change.Thanks for that. Temperatures will be going up soon, and 64 will work, but these will come in handy.Good find! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Boe1971 0 Posted January 13, 2011 bpgreen wrote:ZiggyZag wrote:What type of Thermometer can we attach to Keg? I've been considering poking a thermometer through the top the way Screwy Brewer.Sounds interseting. Are you saying just get one of those meat thermometers that have a probe thats 6 or 7 inches long and just poke it through the lid of the keg so that the probe is in the wort? Any pics of this set up? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bpgreen 209 Posted January 13, 2011 ZiggyZag wrote:What type of Thermometer can we attach to Keg?Mr Beer sells one they call the BrewOMeter. I got some fish tank stick-on thermometers in the pet dept at WalMart. The drawback to the stick-ons I bought is they only go down to 64 and I like to brew a bit lower than that, so I just try to keep the temperature too cool to register and only worry if the beer doesn't start fermenting.I've been considering poking a thermometer through the top the way Screwy Brewer does since I have some probe thermometers that measure much lower temps. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest System Admin Posted January 13, 2011 bpgreen wrote: I've been considering poking a thermometer through the top the way Screwy Brewer does since I have some probe thermometers that measure much lower temps.This is what I do. It works pretty sweet! Lots more accurate that stick ons. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MDBrewer26 0 Posted January 13, 2011 Yes, that is exactly the idea!Check out this link to another post. It contains a link to Screwy Brewers site where there is an explanation for how to do this.http://community.mrbeer.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&Itemid=124&func=view&catid=8&id=125097I actually plan on spending some time this weekend setting up my 3 kegs this way. I'll let ya'll know how it goes. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
