couple of questions before I brew

[Trevor]

When I come to aerate my wort after cooling and before pitching the yeast, I'll be doing it by hand manually more than likely. How vigorous and thorough do I need to be. How long should I do it for?

When beer is fermenting, what tips do people have for maintaining an 18-22 degree temperature, on the basis that you sleep at night for 7 or 8 hours, and go do your day job for 9?

[crafty john]

Just aerate till you have a nice froth, I use heat pads but I have a cold brew room so might make it too warm in normal circumstances, try an immersion heater, you know the ones for fish tanks. A 75 watt one will do the job nicely.

[Eric]

Agreed.
If you use dry yeast there is little reason to aerate the boiled wort, more than is needed will be collected in the drop from the boiler. If using live wet yeast, it will to some degree depend on the quantity and health of the yeast you pitch. I normally give it a damn good whipping and have not been let down.
Keep the FV in the warmest place in the house, wrapped up, unless that gets too warm. Once it gets going it will generate heat. Otherwise put the FV in a tub of water in a cool place with an aquarium heater, I do and it works a treat.

[Trevor]

Cheers guys

[far9410]

wot you brewing trevor?

[Capped]

I'll be doing it by hand manually more than likely. How vigorous and thorough do I need to be. How long should I do it for?

Ah,that depends on the quality of literature one is perusing !

[Texy]

Naughty !!

Texy