Heating Option

[Asherweef]

I'm looking for an economical heating option for my brews. I've looked at belts and immersion heaters but not sure which way I should go. I'm sure there have been threads on this but can't seem to find them... My it skills aren't up to much!!!

 

[Chippy_Tea]

A popular and cheap method is a large container big enough to stand your FV in and a thermostatically controlled fish tank heater.

 

[clibit]

I'd go for an aquarium heater cos heat belts and pads don't give you much control over the temperature of the beer. Place the FV in a tub of water and put the heater in the water, which then heats the FV.

https://sjbbrews.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/imag0975.jpg

You want a heater that can be set below 20C, down to 15C if possible. I don't know if anyone has one that they can recommend?

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Here is a recent thread about heat sources - http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56533&highlight=heat+belt

 

[Asherweef]

Here is a recent thread about heat sources - http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=56533&highlight=heat+belt

Thanks :)

And cilbit - you've been v. Helpful so far!

 

[chewie]

I've been somewhat curious if a fridges heat exchanger would be powerful enough to provide the needed heat, if you have a small enough space (3ftx3ftx4ft) thats well insulated it only takes about 130 watts to get the temp up to 18C, this is well within the power consumption of a standard household fridge. If it was it would be a zero cost option other than materials for building a small housing.

 

[Leon103]

Plenty of cheap/good fish tank heaters on eBay. I put mine straight in the fv

 

[Asherweef]

Looks like the aquarium heater is the way to go. Having never kept tropical fish how much do thy cost to run?

 

[Bounce]

Very cheap to run. The standard aquarium heaters for the average fish tank are only about 15-50 Watts and once they are up to temperature, they only add a bit of heat as required to keep the temperature constant.

 

[Brewed_Force]

Just wondered, in a water bath how deep does the water need to be (i.e. how far up the FV does it need to reach)?

 

[timcunnell]

Not necessarily a complete budget option, but if you can pick up a fridge for cheap (or even free?) you can fit a 40w heater inside for less than £15. And you can control the temp perfectly with a temp controller off eBay for £6.50. The good thing with this is that it is great for winter which is fast approaching, but also works for summer when it is too hot.
This is definitely a better option that hot plates or brew belts which can create warm spots. You just need a fridge, somewhere to put the fridge (eg garage) and about £20 for the heater and temp controller. All the instructions on how to put it together are on YouTube - or loads of advice on here!
I've got a beer fermenting now for the first time in my brew fridge and it has been a constant 19.5c for the last 12 days. Perfect!

 

[Asherweef]

Would probably be ideal but we only have a detached garage

 

[johnn5]

cupboard under the stairs , oil filled radiator from Argos 19.99 , :ugeek:

 

[ManseMasher]

Would probably be ideal but we only have a detached garage

So no power, is that what you're saying?

 

[DanST]

I've got a home made (bodged?) Water bath, a big plastic box with a 50w fish tank heater. Ideally you want it up to the level of the beer or fairly close. I tend to chuck a bit of vwp in the bath as you'll get crap growing in it otherwise keeping it at brewing temp for a few weeks. That said I've used water collected from a butt to fill it, grew a bit of slime but the beer was fine.

Some people put the heater directly in the brew which will give you more control over the temp. I wouldn't do this personally because the heaters aren't designed to be sterilised and have got lots of little cracks and joints that could harbor all sorts. I've heard of it working fine but I can't bring myself to try it.

 

[Chippy_Tea]

Some people put the heater directly in the brew which will give you more control over the temp. I wouldn't do this personally because the heaters aren't designed to be sterilised and have got lots of little cracks and joints that could harbor all sorts. I've heard of it working fine but I can't bring myself to try it.

And you can only use it in one FV or DJ at a time whereas if you have a decent size container for the wate bath you can heat more than one.

 

[Asherweef]

So no power, is that what you're saying?

Yes & its across the street so no chance of power/ cleanliness!

Thanks for the water bath advice