Fermentation chamber

After the bad results of las summer fermentation, it was time to build a proper fermentation chamber. Nothing complex, just a closed box to help the fermentor stay 4-5 degrees below the cellar temperature, thanks to iced water bottles to be changed periodically.

Materials:
5 polystirene panels 50x100x2 cm wide
1 sealing silicon tube

4 panels cut at 70cm (70x50)
Base (48x48 cm) and upper cover from the 5th panel.
Seal the first vertical wall with base, 2cm of the vall are out from the side. Put silicone on this over border and on the base, then seal the second wall. So for wall number 3 and 4.

This box can easily accomodate a standard 25 liters fermentor, with space in the corners for the iced bottles. Then I added an upper cover.

Temperatures during first fermentation days

17 liters + 1 pack S-33. 2 iced bottles 1,5 liters:
Chamber Tº -4ºC (21ºC cellar, 17ºC chamber). Tº max wort: 21ºC

18 liters + S-33 slurry. 3 iced bottles 1,5 liters:
Chamber Tº -6ºC (22ºC cellar, 16ºC chamber). Tº max wort: 22ºC

20 liters + starter from recycled US-05. 5 iced bottles 1,5 liters:
Chamber Tº -15ºC (24ºC cellar, 11ºC chamber). Tº max wort: 18ºC