As we have already established in ‘Top 10 Tips for Maintaining Your Beer Cellar Temperature’, it’s critical that a beer cellar is maintained at its correct temperature – to avoid unhappy customers and minimise wastage.
So, before opening your doors for business, here are a few simple checks you should carry out daily and weekly, to ensure that your cask beer is always kept at its proper temperature.
Daily Beer Temperature Checks
- Check that the air temperature in your cellar is always 11-13°C.
It is good practice to place a few thermometers in your beer cellar. If you find that you have hotspots or uneven readings, it may suggest your cooler is not working properly, or that a heat source may be to blame. Any heat source will raise the ambient air temperature in a cellar, causing your cooling system to work less efficiently and potentially shorten the lifespan of your beer. So avoid putting anything in the cellar which can generate heat, such as fridges or freezers. - Check and remove any potential obstructions around coolers.
This will ensure a good airflow, which will allow the cooler to work more efficiently and use less electricity. - Keep the cooler on overnight.
Turning it off may seem cost-effective, but it actually increases energy consumption, as the unit will need extra power to bring the cellar back to the proper temperature. This also puts unnecessary strain on the system and can risk beer spoilage. - Ensure that your cask beer always dispenses at 11-13°C.
To check this, pour some beer into a clean glass at room temperature and immediately measure its temperature using a glass thermometer, a brewing thermometer or a digital cooking thermometer.
Weekly Beer Temperature Checks
- Check that all cellar and under-counter water coolers are running correctly.
If a cooler isn’t working properly, get it immediately checked out by a qualified engineer and always ensure you commit to regular servicing of the system. - Ensure all vents and grills on your cellar and under-counter water coolers are free from dust or fluff.
Remove any build up with a soft brush. - Check the water level on your coolers.
Always turn off the power before topping it up with water and remember to immediately turn it back on again afterwards. Most coolers use water, but some remote coolers contain other liquids, such as glycol, and should only be topped up by a trained person using appropriate manufacturer-approved liquids.
