Bob007
Member
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2014
- Messages
- 35
- Reaction score
- 2
Hi everyone,
I'm new here as of 1/1/14. I'm looking forward to learning from this forum.
Here's my question and then the explanation below:
Question: is it normal to maintain the fermentation temp in a cooler environment using just a blanket?
I'm on my second batch of wine. It's an Eclipse Stag's Leap Merlot. The recommended fermentation temp is 70-75 degrees. I have the wine in the fermentation bucket in our studio/garage where the temp is around 63 degrees. I purchased a small space heater and wrapped the bucket in a blanket as the initial temp was around 68 degrees. It came up nicely to 73 degrees and the fermentation process began within 12 hours. I haven't needed to use the space heater because the temp with just the blanket is up to 75. I opened it up for the first time last night, as instructed, and stirred the grape skins around, and then closed it back up. However, when I checked this morning it had risen to 78. (I'm using a thermometer strip on the side of the bucket). So I removed the blanket and will check it throughout the day to see where it settles. The garage is around 66 degrees today.
Question: is it normal to maintain the fermentation temp in a cooler environment using just a blanket?
Thanks,
Bob
I'm new here as of 1/1/14. I'm looking forward to learning from this forum.
Here's my question and then the explanation below:
Question: is it normal to maintain the fermentation temp in a cooler environment using just a blanket?
I'm on my second batch of wine. It's an Eclipse Stag's Leap Merlot. The recommended fermentation temp is 70-75 degrees. I have the wine in the fermentation bucket in our studio/garage where the temp is around 63 degrees. I purchased a small space heater and wrapped the bucket in a blanket as the initial temp was around 68 degrees. It came up nicely to 73 degrees and the fermentation process began within 12 hours. I haven't needed to use the space heater because the temp with just the blanket is up to 75. I opened it up for the first time last night, as instructed, and stirred the grape skins around, and then closed it back up. However, when I checked this morning it had risen to 78. (I'm using a thermometer strip on the side of the bucket). So I removed the blanket and will check it throughout the day to see where it settles. The garage is around 66 degrees today.
Question: is it normal to maintain the fermentation temp in a cooler environment using just a blanket?
Thanks,
Bob