Heater query

[carl_saint]

How many of you use heaters to maintain temp whilst fermenting? I've been looking on eBay and I've seen a couple of immersion type heaters for sale. What are these like compared to heat mats. Would a fish tank heater do the same job as they can be set from 16-30c? Cheers

 

[kev]

This weekend I finished a wee project....and I'm happy as can be. Proper proper chuffed.

Basically I'm using an old (working!) fridge that I got from my parents and one of these :

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130525330378? ... 108wt_1026

In summary, the above device switches between power supplies depending on temperature. Therefore, I plug the device above into the mains and then plug a tube heater (in the fridge) and the fridge itself into the 2 outputs from the controller. That way, I punch in a temperature (19.5c in fact!) and it either switches on the heater or the fridge depending on the temp inside the fridge.

This is amazing for a number of reasons. The main ones being :

1. Consistent fermentation temp
2. Fermentation temp according to style (lager, ale, etc)
3. Fermentation in complete darkness
4. No barrels around the house = happy Mrs!
5. I could punch the controller down to 3c or whatever and chill my beer.

I love my system. I can't believe I've waited this long to sort it out.

Last but not least, if you pick up bits for free or used, I bet I could produce my system for the price of the other heating solutions.

K

 

[Wendy1971]

alot of brewers use aquarium heaters they put the fv into another bigger vessel which has water in and then immerse the aquarium heater in that instead of the beer :thumb:

 

[carl_saint]

Immense project kev! Don't think I'd have the room for another fridge! Wicked idea though!

Wendy, thanks for the idea! I've got a spare aquarium heater and that's what got me thinking, but didnt think it was a good idea to put straight into the FV. Definitely going to implement this idea!

 

[Wendy1971]

no you put the fv in a water bath and then put the heater in the water bath

 

[EccentricDyslexic]

no you put the fv in a water bath and then put the heater in the water bath

That's wot I do. I use a cat litter tray to sit my fv in, the aquarium heater sits in that. And all this sits in the brew fridge set to 12c.

Steve