heat for brew fridge

[Clint]

Hello all
"Hopefully " I should get my brew fridge tomorrow. ..I have an inkbird and some ply to build a shelf. The only extra thing I need is a tube heater. What size should I get? The fridge is the larger, larder type. I don't mind buying local as I want to get it set up and filled by Monday night if possible.

Cheers

Clint

 

[clarkeuk]

I use a 40 w 12inch tube heater of eBay for under £14

Sent from my SM-G925F using Tapatalk

 

[joe 90]

if you have a toolstation next to you go for this one its a 60watt one better for the larger fridge

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/p32265?table=no

 

[Aphid]

Hello all
"Hopefully " I should get my brew fridge tomorrow. ..I have an inkbird and some ply to build a shelf. The only extra thing I need is a tube heater. What size should I get? The fridge is the larger, larder type. I don't mind buying local as I want to get it set up and filled by Monday night if possible.

Cheers

Clint

Had the same dilemma a few months ago for my larder fridge (accommodates two FVs). I opted for a 60W greenhouse type heater in the end, rather than a lower wattage power, and I am pleased I did. Having brewed a number of beers, now, the heater has been on quite a bit, certainly during this cold spell we have had. I should add that my brewfridge is in my double garage. For me, I think anything lower than 60W would not have been powerful enough. Be aware that you will probably need to fit a 3W plug and also buy some extension cable and a connector.

 

[grmski]

I use a cheap Argos hairdryer, it works well the fan blows warm air around the fridge and it can be positioned wherever there's space.

 

[Dutto]

Hello all
"Hopefully " I should get my brew fridge tomorrow. ..I have an inkbird and some ply to build a shelf. The only extra thing I need is a tube heater. What size should I get? The fridge is the larger, larder type. I don't mind buying local as I want to get it set up and filled by Monday night if possible.

Cheers

Clint

Whatever you do, don't throw away the glass shelves that come with the fridge! :nono: :nono:

You will need them to carbonate the bottles, MKs or Kegs. :thumb:

 

[Brew_DD2]

I use a cheap Argos hairdryer, it works well the fan blows warm air around the fridge and it can be positioned wherever there's space.

That's a cracking idea but is it not a fire risk?

 

[grmski]

Not sure why it would be, it's only on for short bursts in a room temp environment.

 

[Brew_DD2]

Not sure why it would be, it's only on for short bursts in a room temp environment.

Good point. For some reason, whenever I think fridge, I think moisture and condensation, but as you say, it's room temp so there's no risk. I wonder why more don't go down this route?

 

[Aphid]

Good point. For some reason, whenever I think fridge, I think moisture and condensation, but as you say, it's room temp so there's no risk. I wonder why more don't go down this route?

Being follicly challenged I haven't owned a hair dryer for many a year. Maybe I could get my wife involved in the production line....? :hmm:

 

[grmski]

You're a braver man than me if you get your better halfs fancy hairdryer and get sticky beer residue over it.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

One member (maybe more) uses a fan heater, the one below is £11:99 at argos.

http://www.argos.co.uk/product/4152174

Settings: Warm up. Cool down. This Simple Value 2KW upright fan heater couldn't be easier to use. In a contemporary white finish, this fan heater is controlled by thermostat with the choice of two heat and two cool air settings. Ideal for all seasons.

Heat output 2kW.

2 heat settings.

Thermostatically controlled.

Cool air blow feature.

Freestanding.

Size H26.5, W21.5, D13cm.

Supplied assembled.

EAN: 4152174.

 

[marlon]

I used a 40watt tube heater from Screwfix in my larder type brewfridge. Think it was about 15 quid. It works ok, but I like the hairdryer idea and the fan heater idea - wish I'd thought of one of them...!

 

[Clint]

So do you just sub the fan for the tube heater and still plug it into the inkbird to control?

Cheers

Clint

 

[grmski]

Guess so the hairdryer I use is just plugged into the warm side of my stc with the fridge into the cold side.

 

[grmski]

That would be quite large in a fridge a small 1500w hairdyer fits much more easily.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

That would be quite large in a fridge a small 1500w hairdyer fits much more easily.

Good point this is £16:99

 

[Clint]

The only thing I'd be worried about is that fans or hairdryers are not splash proof whereas the tube heaters are. ..

 

[marlon]

The only thing I'd be worried about is that fans or hairdryers are not splash proof whereas the tube heaters are. ..

That's a good point Clint :thumb:

 

[grmski]

The only thing I'd be worried about is that fans or hairdryers are not splash proof whereas the tube heaters are. ..

True, but from experience I've never had any issue, after all we try to avoid splashing fermenting wort anyway, I do hang the dryer from the top rather than having it sitting below the FV so even if there was a very active ferment it wouldn't affect the hairdryer.
I think the room heaters would need to sit level as they often have anti tip safety cut out fitted which would likely mean you'd sit them on the floor of the fridge space where it's possible there could be liquid.