RJ Spagnols Nervous about temp

[Melissa]

I have a Grand Cru intl syrah in my primary (almost 2 days) and I am worried that it isn't staying warm enough. It was at 72 when I put in the yeast and now it is barely hanging on at 70 degrees. I don't have a brew belt or really the means to get on immediately, is there another way for me to up the temp a bit without living in a sauna for the next month!?


I can smell the yeast for sure and it is foaming on the top but no bubbling or "snap, crackle and pop" as I have heard it referred to. I am also hesitant to open the bucket too often. I know that i need to stir it at least evey two days per the instructions but beyond that, how much is too much checking? I feel like I have a newborn baby again!

I know it's early yet and that fermentation may happen slowly but the temperature thing is bugging me.

 

[ArdenS]

Melissa, I've been having the same problem since we keep the house temp fairly low in the winter ($$$). I hung a 60 watt light bulb in the closet and that has raised the ambient temp to about 72-73. The wine is slowly following suite.

 

[admiral]

It may be slow starting, but it will happen. Your temp is just a little on the low side. Foaming is good. Yeast smell is good. Yeasties are working!

 

[RickC]

Another thing I did before getting a brewbelt was to put a radiator style space heater in a small bathroom with the fermenter. Worked reall well.

 

[AlFulchino]

is the fermenting tub up off the floor?

unless its a radiant heated floor, always have the tub up off the floor..or even up on a table you usually can buy a few degrees this way because heat rises...and most floors tend to be a bit cooler than the air higher up

 

[nursejohn]

I try to keep my buckets off the floor if possible and I also keep a thick towel or blanket around them to keep drafts to a minimum. Good luck, hope this helps, John.

 

[rrussell]

the fermenting will also generate its own heat and raise the temperature of the wine by itself.

 

[Waldo]

I have a Grand Cru intl syrah in my primary (almost 2 days) and I am worried that it isn't staying warm enough. It was at 72 when I put in the yeast and now it is barely hanging on at 70 degrees. I don't have a brew belt or really the means to get on immediately, is there another way for me to up the temp a bit without living in a sauna for the next month!?


I can smell the yeast for sure and it is foaming on the top but no bubbling or "snap, crackle and pop" as I have heard it referred to. I am also hesitant to open the bucket too often. I know that i need to stir it at least evey two days per the instructions but beyond that, how much is too much checking? I feel like I have a newborn baby again!

I know it's early yet and that fermentation may happen slowly but the temperature thing is bugging me.

A heating pad works great too. I just duct tape it to the side of my fermenter and set it on low amd let er go

 

[ibglowin]

+1

 

[Melissa]

Thank you so much everyone! I have had it up off the floor and actually did put a blanket around it ...my hubby thinks I'm nuts. If it doesn't go up a couple of degrees I'll look into the heating pad and go from there.


Melissa

 

[Goodfella]

I think the blanket around it, you will be fine.

 

[Melissa]

All is well...got the temp up and she is bubbling away like a beauty!

 

[Waldo]

 

[Joanie]

Don't you love that yeasty smell? It's the best.

 

[JohnnyK68]

Melissa, keep us posted on the Syrah. I really liked the Intnl Series Primitivo, I am wondering how the other Intnl Series kits are.

 

[Melissa]

Johnny...this was my first kit and I am waiting now for it to clear a little more before I bottle. I was nervous about messing up since this is my first, but everything went right along with the directions and I really think this is going to be a good tasting wine! It should be 12.4% ABV providing all of my SG readings were accurate. I am working on a label and when I get it bottled I will post some pics and let you know how it progresses.