Brew fridge questions

chor808 · Mar 22, 2017

Hello All,

I did set up my brew fridge using an inkbird controller and a tube heater (40w). It worked great for one brew then the heater packed up :-(. I'd like to try another option than buying a new tube heater.

I have a spare new fish tank heater, is it possible to place the fish tank heater in the FV with the probe from inkbird also in the FV, so both are directly in the wort/beer.

The heater would of course be plugged into the inkbird with the fridge.

Good or bad idea?

Chippy_Tea · Mar 22, 2017

Have you an old hairdryer as some members are using them instead of tube heaters.

chor808 · Mar 22, 2017

I looked at that. So people are just setting the hair dryer on low heat and leaving it at that. It seems a very simple way to do it just a quick blast of warm air.

DethApostle · Mar 22, 2017

chor808 said:
Hello All,

I did set up my brew fridge using an inkbird controller and a tube heater (40w). It worked great for one brew then the heater packed up :-(. I'd like to try another option than buying a new tube heater.

I have a spare new fish tank heater, is it possible to place the fish tank heater in the FV with the probe from inkbird also in the FV, so both are directly in the wort/beer.

The heater would of course be plugged into the inkbird with the fridge.

Good or bad idea?

Yes you can however you run a greater risk of infection as the fishtank heaters are impossible to sanitise effectively. I did this method before I built my fermenting fridge and got lucky but I wouldn't recommend it!

DA

Chippy_Tea · Mar 22, 2017

chor808 said:
I looked at that. So people are just setting the hair dryer on low heat and leaving it at that. It seems a very simple way to do it just a quick blast of warm air.

I don't think it matters what setting you have it on as the controller will turn it off but i would not lay it at the bottom in case of leaks.

grmski · Mar 22, 2017

Chippy_Tea said:
I don't think it matters what setting you have it on as the controller will turn it off but i would not lay it at the bottom in case of leaks.

alright, I'm one who uses a cheapo little hairdryer and set it on low and suspend it at the top of the fridge and have it controlled by the hot side of my STC. Works a treat it's just a simple small fan that heats the space in no time.:thumb:

johnnyboy1965 · Mar 22, 2017

Dont use a hairdrier, they were nevr designed for this. Use a small electric heater available from B+Q

http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-electric-2000w-white-fan-heater/109252_BQ.prd

grmski · Mar 22, 2017

johnnyboy1965 said:
Dont use a hairdrier, they were nevr designed for this. Use a small electric heater available from B+Q

http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-electric-2000w-white-fan-heater/109252_BQ.prd

Hairdryers weren't designed to be turned on for short periods of time to blow out warm air in a room temperature environment...are you sure?

johnnyboy1965 · Mar 22, 2017

Works for me. 3 years constant use...A hairdrier wont do that.

shepp · Mar 22, 2017

I'd just buy a new tubular heater.
Simples

Chippy_Tea · Mar 22, 2017

johnnyboy1965 said:
Dont use a hairdrier, they were nevr designed for this. Use a small electric heater available from B+Q

http://www.diy.com/departments/bq-electric-2000w-white-fan-heater/109252_BQ.prd

I suggested using a fan heater in another thread and was told because of the height and size you couldn't put it somewhere safe if you had a leak.

johnnyboy1965 · Mar 22, 2017

I used a 60w tube heater on the above cabinet but it really sturggled. With a fan heater you get the benefit of circulating the air all around the cabinet, so no cold places.

johnnyboy1965 · Mar 22, 2017

Chippy_Tea said:
I suggested using a fan heater in another thread and was told because of the height and size you couldn't put it somewhere safe if you had a leak.

It wont fit in a small "under fridge". It doesnt have to be a old fridge either. Any insulated box will do.

The old display fridges are a lot more common than you think

Chippy_Tea · Mar 22, 2017

To be honest if it were me i would use one of these in a standard fridge (as i think it would fit) and hope the FV didn't leak, i don't have a tap on my FV and i use a blow off tube so there is almost no risk of a leak.

braziliain · Mar 22, 2017

I just bought a tube heater from Toolstation for my under counter fridge. They deliver free and email a receipt to you so you can't lose it. Unit is guaranteed for 12 months, so any problems and they give you a new one. Tube heater is leak proof to IP44 and only 60W. What could be better?

Leon103 · Mar 22, 2017

If you go down the fish tank heater then why use the inkbird? Doesn't the fish tank heater have a thermostat?

chor808 · Mar 22, 2017

Leon103 said:
If you go down the fish tank heater then why use the inkbird? Doesn't the fish tank heater have a thermostat?

Yes it does but it still needs to cool if I overshoot the temp.

Hair dryer seems a cheap simple option or a small fan heater. I guess either one will not be on for long to heat up a tiny space like a fridge.

Leon103 · Mar 22, 2017

chor808 said:
Yes it does but it still needs to cool if I overshoot the temp.

Hair dryer seems a cheap simple option or a small fan heater. I guess either one will not be on for long to heat up a tiny space like a fridge.

It is not the space you want to heat up its the wort.

chor808 · Mar 22, 2017

Leon103 said:
It is not the space you want to heat up its the wort.

Right but that would be the same for a tube heater etc and the fridge cools the space not the wort..Are you saying use the fish tank heater or brew belt/mat?

I guess there is no right answer!

johnnyboy1965 · Mar 22, 2017

Your both right, the wort has got to be in the right temp range before it goes into the fermentation cabinet.
A fermentation cabinet will not heat up your wort, well, it wiil do, but it will take a long time, Many weeks)

Brew fridge questions

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