Curley question

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Curley question

Postby hicup » Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:53 pm

Did a quick search nothin specific found so here goes...

I have been told to add a little heat to my fermenter as it is sitting at a low 22 to 26 deg c.
The idea is to add a 100 watt aquarium heater to the liquid to aid yeast activity...

However, i am concerned that the heater will be of little effect due to the lack of constant movement of the mash.
Is it a good idea to put a small hole in the top of the fermenter and, using an air pump from an aquarium pump a small volume of air into the bottom of the ferment to create a constant stream of large bubbles to lift from the bottom to mix the mash?
hicup
 
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Re: Curley question

Postby grumpthehermit » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:21 pm

If the wash is too cold it will take forever so keeping a nice constant temp is a good idea.

What yeast are you using.

I use lowans bread yeast and aim for 27 - 28 degrees, you can run warmer but I am in no rush, 27 give a nice steady ferment for me.

Bubbling air into a wash is good for the first stage of the ferment when the yeast are growing if your keen, once they are established you cut the air, that's what forces them to make alcohol. ( eating sugar in an oxygen depleted environment ).

If you give the yeast air, you won't get alcohol.

Cheers
GTH
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Re: Curley question

Postby MR-E » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:23 pm

I used to use an aquarium heater when fermenting beer, worked well, with no air pump.
Just set your temp, drop it in, cover with a blanket & your set :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Cheers
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Re: Curley question

Postby hicup » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:32 pm

cheers guys, makes sense to me now.
I forgot about the anerobic needs of the yeastie beasties :oops:
hicup
 
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 7:06 pm
Location: Western Australia
equipment: 50 litre keg powered by 2200w element output through a 50mm pot head with internal double wound 6.4mm condenser.
Maybe the worlds first glass jar condensered 2 inch bokka hybrid at 1200 mm packed height quadruple wound condenser complete with quick release output line.

Re: Curley question

Postby grumpthehermit » Fri Jun 29, 2012 10:38 pm

I don't bother trying to aerate beyond making sure I really blast the water into my fermenter as I fill it up.

If you were adding only a small amount of yeast you might need to do more to help build up the yeast before you seal them off from outside air.

With 90grams of dry yeast in 25L wash I have never had a problem. most times the airlock starts bubbling within an hour and it's all go go go ...

Cheers
GTH
grumpthehermit
 

Re: Curley question

Postby R-sole » Sat Jun 30, 2012 1:52 am

Convection will circulate your wash.
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Re: Curley question

Postby hicup » Sun Jul 01, 2012 9:19 pm

Cheers guys got a 150w heater today and put the cable through the screw in cap with a bit of sillicon
Cetainly is airtight and what do you know... The airlock was up and bubbling again in no timesg down to 1005 now and looking and smelling sweet.... In agood way...
Thanks for your help.
hicup
 
Posts: 23
Joined: Tue Jun 26, 2012 7:06 pm
Location: Western Australia
equipment: 50 litre keg powered by 2200w element output through a 50mm pot head with internal double wound 6.4mm condenser.
Maybe the worlds first glass jar condensered 2 inch bokka hybrid at 1200 mm packed height quadruple wound condenser complete with quick release output line.


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