Fermzilla and heaters

Red Raven Brewery · Mar 4, 2023

Hey,

So I have a fermzilla, the gen 3 if that makes any sort of difference.

It's in my ferm chamber/fridge in the garage which I've been struggling to maintain temperatures in so I've purchased another green house heater. This heater is bigger so the only place I can put it is right next to the fermzilla. It won't be touching it but won't be far away either.
Will that be alright?
I know you're not meant to use belt heaters on them as they're no good with direct heat but if it's 1-2cm away will that be alright?

Cheers.

gavp1979 · Mar 5, 2023

I use a heatbelt on my all-rounder, I have only done a handful of brews in it but no issues so far

RoomWithABrew · Mar 5, 2023

Use a heartbeat on fermentasaurus, only had some deformation on one of them when doing a dessert wine which was low volume and the belt was above the liquid level at the back of the fermentasaurus.
Still works fine for wine, I won't pressure ferment in that one anyway.
Heat belt was 100w as well.

MrJay83 · Mar 5, 2023

I use a heat belt. Just keep it well below the waterline.

hoppyscotty · Mar 6, 2023

Think you'll be fine unless you pressure fermenting. If under pressure I wouldn't risk it. I've got two 40w short greenhouse tube heaters off eBay which sit on the bottom of the fridge and has plenty of heating capacity.