Keeping stable temp while away from home

[Nick Taylor]

Hi, 

I am very new to brewing and have a question I was hoping someone maybe able to help me with. 

I live in Dunedin and will be using my garage which at night will likely be quite chilly. I also travel for my job quite regularly. 

I am wondering what my best option would be for keeping a brew around the ideal temp while I am away? I am thinking a heat pad on a timer switch? 

I am open to all ideas and suggestions. 

Can't wait to get into it! 

Cheers

Nick

[Ryan Perkins]

Hi Nick,

That may help to a certain degree but a good beer investment to make is a temperature controlled fridge, it will improve your beer dramatically.  It cost me about $150 to set up, just buy an old fridge off trade me, an STC-1000 and heat pad off Ebay and a couple of short extension leads from Bunnings.  You have to wire it up yourself but it is not too challenging. Do a search on the forum for 'STC-1000' should come up with plenty of info.

Cheers

Ryan 

[Nick Taylor]

Cheers Ryan, 

This looks and sounds pretty fun to set up to add to the whole experience! 

[Peter Smith]

I am sorting a mate out with a raspberry Pi ferm controller with web interface so he can adjust temp while he cannot get to the fermenter.

stc1000 or pi this is a great link

http://www.brewpi.com/fridge-hacking-guide/

[Nick Taylor]

Thanks Peter! 

The Pi looks a little more involved than I may have a need for to start with, but certainly the STC1000 looks a bit more entry level for me. 

[Peter Smith]

the stc-1000 are amazing, and real cheap, my mate needs to be able to adjust temp while he can't physically get to the controller as is away for weeks at a time...  wants to brew profiles

still read that fidge hackig guide some good stuff in there even for stc 1

000 users

[paul m]

agree stc-1000 are great. You can always use a light too instead of a heat pad. You might even be able to get away with a fridge down there