Heating a stainless steel fermenter

[JonBrew]

I'm close to taking the plunge and purchasing a SS Brew Tech Brew Bucket. I have a cold cellar where I intended to keep the fermenter, i.e. using the ambient temp to keep the fermenting beer cool, and a brew belt in conjunction with a temperature controller to keep it warm.

However, I've been doing some research and, although I haven't purchased the brew belt yet, there are a few sources which suggest that these belts should not be affixed to metal surfaces, including the instructions found for one such product.

Any ideas why this would be? Anyone have any experience with heating a brew bucket or similar?

Cheers

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
One possible solution is to enclose the FV in an insulated box and use the heat belt to heat the air in the box without touching the FV.
Builders insulation boards are excellent for making a fermentation box.

 

[stigman]

Probably so you can't get a belt from an un earthed fv.

 

[JonBrew]

Thanks both.

I had planned, longer term, to get a larder fridge and use a tube heater to control temp but that solution isn't presently.

 

[Oneflewover]

I'm not sure I'd recommend a heat belt at all to be honest. I have been using one for the heat source in my brew fridge, without incident to date to be fair. However I've just taken the fv out to bottle my latest brew and noticed that if has caused a localised area of the bottom of the fridge to melt. The heat belt also has several areas of discolouration where it appears to have overheated. Probably had to work quite hard in this cold weather, but it was a well - known brand not a knock off.

 

[terrym]

Try a water bath.
How to Set up a Water Bath for your FV - The HomeBrew Forum

 

[Piperbrew]

Try a water bath.
How to Set up a Water Bath for your FV - The HomeBrew Forum

That's a great idea. I have those small tanks heaters but I have always put them directly into the FV ....think I will try your idea as most likely more stable temps and of course one less thing that wont be going into the brew to contaminate it. :thumb:

 

[JonBrew]

I'm not sure I'd recommend a heat belt at all to be honest. I have been using one for the heat source in my brew fridge, without incident to date to be fair. However I've just taken the fv out to bottle my latest brew and noticed that if has caused a localised area of the bottom of the fridge to melt. The heat belt also has several areas of discolouration where it appears to have overheated. Probably had to work quite hard in this cold weather, but it was a well - known brand not a knock off.

That sounds very dodgy indeed! May need to reconsider my approach.

 

[Hoddy]

Probably so you can't get a belt from an un earthed fv.

And that is exactly it. An electrically powered item strapped to an all metal object with potentially no earth = death trap


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[Hoddy]

Personally I would recommend getting a larder fridge with a fermentasaurus. Basically about 60% of the price of an SS brew tech bucket but with loads more flexibility.

Don’t rush it and get the setup right as it’s worth it in the long run.


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[JonBrew]

Thanks hoddy. I had been looking at the fermentasaurus initially but felt it was too big my needs and as I will likely be bottle conditioning for the foreseeable future I felt the option to upgrade to a unitank wasn't particularly attractive. I like the look of the brew bucket as it is built to last a very long time with proper care etc.

 

[BarnBrian]

I agree with Hoddy, larder fridge (essential) and fermentasaurus.
I've got a brewbucket which is good and also have the 14 gall SS Chronical. The Chronical really suits me for 40 litre brews and the facility to drain trub and harvest yeast for me is an absolute winner.
I think the versatility of the Fermentasaurus will be far superior to the brewbucket, and the price is a winner too.

Brian

 

[simon12]

I always wondered how well an electric blanket would work but I don't know.

 

[Honk]

Thanks hoddy. I had been looking at the fermentasaurus initially but felt it was too big my needs and as I will likely be bottle conditioning for the foreseeable future I felt the option to upgrade to a unitank wasn't particularly attractive. I like the look of the brew bucket as it is built to last a very long time with proper care etc.

I've just ordered the brewbucket for the same reasons, considered the fermentasaurus but felt that as I don't have a Cornelius set up then would lose some of its advantages including the ability to flush the collection ball with co2. Will be going in a fridge and like the fact that I got the version with a thermowell and can insert the inkbird probe directly into that.

 

[Summerhil]

I’ve got an ss brewtec chronical. I bought a flexible plant propogator heater wire and wrapped it round the bottom for heating. Held on with tape but nicely hidden by the neoprene cover.
It’s insulated and built to go under the soil and thus get wet so I figured should be ok.

It works for me. Good luck

 

[Fil]

As a fermenting brew will generate heat through the activity of the yeast you may discover you only need to insulate your brew vessel?

and if applying heat from externally via a belt or trace cable again insulation to keep as much of the radiated heat where you want it will also aid efficiency and effectiveness.