Heating Tube

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BeerNBBQ

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Hello all,

I’m new to this home brew business and have my first brew (packet mix) on the go, which has already made a huge sticky mess!

I need a fermentation fridge which I’m keen to make my self, I have bought this heater
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYCO-TUB...-/141557998704?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
it has a thermal cut out at 15 degrees that doesn’t seem warm enough. So my question is will this heating element suffice?

thanks
 
As I read the description, it has a cutoff for temperatures above 15 degrees i.e. 15 degrees is the minimum temperature you can set the thermostat. Presumably, if you set the thermostat to its highest, it will never cut off. I agree that 15 degrees is too low for a fermenting fridge, but I don't think that is how this heater is limited, as it would be pretty useless otherwise!
 
As I read the description, it has a cutoff for temperatures above 15 degrees i.e. 15 degrees is the minimum temperature you can set the thermostat. Presumably, if you set the thermostat to its highest, it will never cut off. I agree that 15 degrees is too low for a fermenting fridge, but I don't think that is how this heater is limited, as it would be pretty useless otherwise!

Hi,

thanks for the reply. I think the thermostat is built in and non adjustable
 
I'm maybe misreading it then and I can see from other listings of the same product that it is designed to remove humidity and to prevent mould and freezing. I would use a different one with an adjustable thermostat as 15C wont be warm enough for most fermentations.
 
Hi,

thanks for the reply. I think the thermostat is built in and non adjustable
The thermostat is non adjustable, couldn't see that it was 15°C though (only had a quick scan) I think ScrewFix sell a Dimplex one that's adjustable. You will need it to be around 20°C for ales etc, Lagers you might be able to use it.
 
The thermostat is non adjustable, couldn't see that it was 15°C though (only had a quick scan) I think ScrewFix sell a Dimplex one that's adjustable. You will need it to be around 20°C for ales etc, Lagers you might be able to use it.

thanks for the info, I only went for this one as screw fix were out of stock of the dimplex ones.
 
FWIW I have just been on the exact same hunt. There seems to be a bit of a shortage - I drew a blank at all the normal outlets like Screwfix and Toolstation, even Argos. You could get ones that were too long for a fridge, but not the 1 ft size. In the end I tracked one down at Lightsave Ltd - UK Lighting Specialist | UK Lighting & Lightbulb Specialist and even they had to ring me to say they didn't have Dimplex but could supply another without internal thermostat but otherwise same spec. That was fine since the temperature will be controlled by the temperature probe. One of the more obscure COVID shortages perhaps!
 
FWIW I have just been on the exact same hunt. There seems to be a bit of a shortage - I drew a blank at all the normal outlets like Screwfix and Toolstation, even Argos. You could get ones that were too long for a fridge, but not the 1 ft size. In the end I tracked one down at Lightsave Ltd - UK Lighting Specialist | UK Lighting & Lightbulb Specialist and even they had to ring me to say they didn't have Dimplex but could supply another without internal thermostat but otherwise same spec. That was fine since the temperature will be controlled by the temperature probe. One of the more obscure COVID shortages perhaps!

Great info thanks
 
I had this cheapo 1 foot tube heater. It's not had much use. I thought it was ideal for brew fridge as is short and no fancy thermostat. I needed to rewire it to get into the new brew fridge and noticed the discolouring in the terminals and end cap. May not be that clear from the photo, but I think this will eventually burn out. This tube is now binned.
It has been replaced with Dimplex tube heaters c/w thermostat. A bit longer, the stat housing adds another 10 cm. If a single 40 watt tube does not provide enough heat, I plan to add a second, with the thermostats staggered, one set low, the other high to give stepped control.
 

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    tube heater.jpg
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I had this cheapo 1 foot tube heater. It's not had much use. I thought it was ideal for brew fridge as is short and no fancy thermostat. I needed to rewire it to get into the new brew fridge and noticed the discolouring in the terminals and end cap. May not be that clear from the photo, but I think this will eventually burn out. This tube is now binned.
It has been replaced with Dimplex tube heaters c/w thermostat. A bit longer, the stat housing adds another 10 cm. If a single 40 watt tube does not provide enough heat, I plan to add a second, with the thermostats staggered, one set low, the other high to give stepped control.

thats not a bad shout.
 
Hope I am ok posting this !!

I spent some time late last week looking for a heating tube and like others found SF, A and TS did not have any. Finally found these at - quickbit.co.uk - they appear to be the same as dimplex but go under Sunhouse name. Ended up buy 2 !!

73
Guzzie

n
heater.png
 
Hope I am ok posting this !!

I spent some time late last week looking for a heating tube and like others found SF, A and TS did not have any. Finally found these at - quickbit.co.uk - they appear to be the same as dimplex but go under Sunhouse name. Ended up buy 2 !!

73
Guzzie

n View attachment 36744

That looks just the job, what temp does it go up to?
 
Good question.

Just checked the operating instructions and no temperatures quoted - please see attachment below
heater temps.png
.
Checked the website listed in the instructions and it leads me to the Dimplex website and the downloaded instructions are almost identical to the paper copies I have. I am going to mount mine in a kitchen base cabinet and hope it will hold 20C so I can brew kits over winter in my garage.
 
Good question.

Just checked the operating instructions and no temperatures quoted - please see attachment belowView attachment 36745.
Checked the website listed in the instructions and it leads me to the Dimplex website and the downloaded instructions are almost identical to the paper copies I have. I am going to mount mine in a kitchen base cabinet and hope it will hold 20C so I can brew kits over winter in my garage.

that’s my idea but building a fridge in the garage, hopefully all goes well or it will be larger all winter 😁
 
Hello all,

I’m new to this home brew business and have my first brew (packet mix) on the go, which has already made a huge sticky mess!

I need a fermentation fridge which I’m keen to make my self, I have bought this heater
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HYCO-TUB...-/141557998704?_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49292
it has a thermal cut out at 15 degrees that doesn’t seem warm enough. So my question is will this heating element suffice?

thanks
I think it will work, my ambient temperature is 16-16.5 C, the temperature on the outside of the fermenter is +2 C higher and +3 C higher from the thermowell. So fermenting temperature is around 19 C.
Some brewers do ferment lower as the claim is a cleaner tasting beer, I have never tried it myself I only use the fridge for cold crashing.
 
Nobody actually needs a brew fridge, although they are a sophisticated method of maintaining FV temperatures.
Folks still manage to successfully ferment their beers maintaining good temperature control using a variety of other methods.
I use water bath in my garage like this
Works fine for me although not for some
How to Set up a Water Bath for your FV - The HomeBrew Forum
 
Nobody actually needs a brew fridge, although they are a sophisticated method of maintaining FV temperatures.
Folks still manage to successfully ferment their beers maintaining good temperature control using a variety of other methods.
I use water bath in my garage like this
Works fine for me although not for some
How to Set up a Water Bath for your FV - The HomeBrew Forum

thats an interesting read. The only real place I have to keep it is the garage. I’ve already ruined the wardrobe with an overflow 🤦
 
I primary ferment in a 30L plastic fermentation bucket in the house for the first 4 days with a temp controller set to 20 degrees and a heat pad underneath the bucket. I then move it into the garage - on top of the heat pad, on top of a foam block - where it can get pretty cold. Same heat pad underneath the bucket, loads of bubble-wrap round the bucket. Keeping to 20 degrees is no problem.
 
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