can i brew thru the winter with no heating tray/belt

[tizzer]

Hi All
this my sound dim but can i brew throught the winter - not got/using aheating belt or tray.
My brews go behind my sofa by the radiator....which comes on twice a day(when its cold)
Will this have an adverse effect on the wine?
Or is it a case of if you can get it to start fermenting it will carry on until done albeit taking a bit longer than in the warmer weather?
My Good lady wants to put empty DJ'S back in shed but I'd rather fill them with something nice...........for both our benefit.....!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.......

 

[LeedsBrewer]

If you can keep the DJs at a fairly constant temp then i don't see why not. Mine are in a wardorbe in a spare bedroom. I wrap them in a blanket and they've been fine so far. :thumb:

 

[Jonny69]

It'll be fine. Don't let them get too warm near the radiator because brewing at high temperature will make a wine that'll give you a headache. Slow cool brew is best :

 

[GREBO75]

Another option for heating is to put the djs in a large plastic container (B&Q do one that fit 4 dj's comfortably for just a few pounds) fill with water to at least 2/3rds the height of the dj and use a cheap aquarium heater to keep the temperature constant. I have 4 dj's keeping warm this way with just a 15w heater.

 

[Moley]

Behind the sofa sounds fine, just not too close to or touching the radiator. Fermentation might take a little longer but it will still get done. Behind our sofa never gets above 20°C but should never drop below 16°C. Just be careful if you've got something freshly started and getting up to speed, my DJs stand on a cork mat to insulate their bases but also in plant pot saucers if there's any chance of an overflow onto the carpet.

I have 4 dj's keeping warm this way with just a 15w heater.

Are you sure about that wattage? Mine are 75W and 150W, but they aren't on continuously so they are still cheap to run.

 

[GREBO75]

Are you sure about that wattage? Mine are 75W and 150W, but they aren't on continuously so they are still cheap to run.

Yeah, it's tiny one that's really made for one of those little globe aquariums but is doing a fine job keeping my wine around 21 C. It probably wouldn't have the balls to keep it warm if my house wasn't heated, or to keep it much warmer than that, but is doing a fine job on my brews.

I think the box was about £3 and the heater was £5, so a nice cheap solution imho.

I only keep my house around 16-17 C, so this keeps my brews going longer into the winter.

 

[tizzer]

Thanks for the help chaps