Heating options - Tray or Belt?

[Paulie Walnuts]

With temperatures dropping I'm looking at purchasing a heat source for a 25L fermentation bucket.

Temperature of my current brew (Coopers Real Kit) is 18C at present, but as we only have the central heating on for a couple of hours in the morning and 4 hours in the evening, it's probably going to get too cold for an ale to ferment well in the coming months.

Lagers will be ok as they can ferment at a lower temp, and are then bottled, but I also need a heat source for a King Keg in its secondary fermentation stage before moving to the shed.

I'm currently leaning towards an Electrim TE25 heated pad as opposed to a belt, and can get one at a pretty good price. Would either of these options be ok or does one have advantages over another?

 

[Aleman]

Without some form of thermostat both are mode than capable of getting your wort to 27 or 30C . . . I know I've done it!

A TC-10 ATC 800 or ATC 300 are what you need

 

[tubby_shaw]

Aleman is absolutely correct :thumb:
Other options are an immersion heater like the ones for use in aquariums or a thermostatically controlled vivarium heat mat

 

[aneray]

I had the same problem a couple of weeks ago. Seeing as though I am a tight sod I opted for a £14.99 single electric blanket from Argos. They wrap around the fermenting vessel an absolute treat ( held on with a couple of bungee straps), they have three heat settings and are machine washable. At the moment they have reduced the price to £12.99.

Cheers Neil

 

[Springer]

Having the same problem myself now that temps dropped and it will get worse ! Even with a mat, with the fermenter in a steel cabinet (mainly to keep "things" out) in a detached garage, I am struggling to make 20 degrees in the daytime, don't look at night !!
I have in mind to solve it by building a three shelf insulated cupboard, frame with 4mm board either side a layer of loft insulation, heated by one of those low wattage tubes controlled by room stat.
This way, if it works to plan, I can do more than one fermenter at a time and also have the option to start off recently bottled beer.
Regards
Springer

 

[Paulie Walnuts]

Plenty of food for thought there, thanks.

I'm not sure I want to go through the route of the external temperature control system for what is a pretty basic set up, and can also see that a mat/belt may raise the temperature too much as my FV is in the house.

Am now thinking that I may just get a thermostatically controlled aquarium heater and dangle it down. 25W may be enough having looked at some specs.

 

[markp]

Some sort of sealed, insulated cupboard with heating/coooling thermostat would be my ideal solution......I'm going to convert an old 'fridge when we get the new kitchen fitted next week.
(I still can't believe she agreed to let me have an extra beer 'fridge :clap: )

Another suggestion that I've seen work quite well, is a tray of water that is heated with a small thermostatically controlled aquarium heater. This way the heat source is not in direct contact with the beer and the problems entailled in sealing up a FV after fitting a heater.

I'm fortunate at the moment......my missus is fininshing our chilli crop in the conservatory with a small oil radiator, so it's about perfect in there.......for the moment anyway

 

[markp]

Without some form of thermostat both are mode than capable of getting your wort to 27 or 30C . . . I know I've done it!

A TC-10 ATC 800 or ATC 300 are what you need

Need to get my bum in to gear - new kitchen being fitted next week :shock: I thought I had a bit more time to prepare.

Aleman......which of those temp controllers would best in a kegerator type 'fridge? - I'd like to control the cooling system of the 'fridge and also use it to operate a small tube heater.

I've had a scout on the old tinterweb.......the TC 10 I can get for around £35 delivered and the ATC 800 for about £31. The ATC 300's seem a bit thin on the ground.

One other point......are they easy enough to fit to a 'fridge? Please bear in mind that in my dictionary, DIY = destroy it yourself :lol: .

ATB

 

[Aleman]

Personally I like the TC-10 . . . In fact I sold my ATC800 unused when I got a TC-10 to review. . .. . . although I've wired mine into the freezer . . . it is perhaps better to wire it to two trailing sockets then you can plug in what you want into the sockets . . . and no risk of DIY ing the fridge :lol:.

 

[markp]

Thanks Aleman....TC 10 it is then.
The 'fridge will hopefully just be a £30/£40 fleabay special....so no worries about damage....just the actual being able to do it.
If I wire the sockets to the TC 10, I'll have to make a hole to get the heater cable through anyway.
I'll be brave and re-wire the thermo :grin: