Inkbird & Heat Pad Issue

[deanobrfc]

Morning all,

Put young's New World Saison on last night with my newly acquired inkbird and heat pad for temperature control.

The heat pad was on at the start but on inspection this morning, it was cool but needed to be heating as the brew was only at 22 degrees (set it at 27). Has anyone had this issue before? Any advice on what to do with it?

Also, anyone else with an inkbird, how do you use the probe part? For want of not sticking it through the FV and into the brew itself I've taped it onto the side of the brew half way up, but not sure this is the best option. What has everyone else done?


Thanks!

Sam.

 

[yeastinfection]

have you set the the tolerance on the inkbird..ie required temp 22° min 21° oh and why 27° seems high?

 

[deanobrfc]

have you set the the tolerance on the inkbird..ie required temp 22° min 21° oh and why 27° seems high?

Think I've set everything possible on there - followed the flow diagram that comes on the leaflet.

Anything in particular it could be?

27 because it's a saison - apparently the beer ferments best at a temperature over 24 and up to 32, improving the yeast character.

 

[Bigjas]

When you tape the probe to the outside of the FV, cover it in something to insulate it from the surrounding air. It sounds like the cooler air surrounding the FV is giving you a false reading. Use some foam to cover the probe once it is stuck to the FV. Some people just use a washing up foam pad thingy....

Jas

 

[yeastinfection]

If it was cooler it would be on more not less.

Double check your parameters ....does the inkbird say ...heating ? Or are both lights out? Maybe your pads faulty. Plug the pad directly in to the wall and see if it heats.

 

[deanobrfc]

When you tape the probe to the outside of the FV, cover it in something to insulate it from the surrounding air. It sounds like the cooler air surrounding the FV is giving you a false reading. Use some foam to cover the probe once it is stuck to the FV. Some people just use a washing up foam pad thingy....

Jas

Thanks for the advice! Will get round to this on Thursday - looks like the heating bill will be higher until then!

 

[deanobrfc]

If it was cooler it would be on more not less.

Double check your parameters ....does the inkbird say ...heating ? Or are both lights out? Maybe your pads faulty. Plug the pad directly in to the wall and see if it heats.

Yes - the light is on heating. Will have a look at plugging it into the mains on its own but when plugged into the inkbird initially the pad was heating and on warm so not sure. Also going to look at insulating the probe tip on Thursday as above.

 

[sven945]

When you tape the probe to the outside of the FV, cover it in something to insulate it from the surrounding air. It sounds like the cooler air surrounding the FV is giving you a false reading. Use some foam to cover the probe once it is stuck to the FV. Some people just use a washing up foam pad thingy....

Jas

I use a washing up sponge (it's a use for the pack of ones that aren't suitable for non stick pans!) and it works really well. Last time I took a gravity reading I stuck my digital thermometer in the fermenting beer and it read exactly the same as my inkbird. I'd done a similar thing before (when I insulated it with cardboard) and it was 0.2ºC out (I forget which direction).

 

[deanobrfc]

I use a washing up sponge (it's a use for the pack of ones that aren't suitable for non stick pans!) and it works really well. Last time I took a gravity reading I stuck my digital thermometer in the fermenting beer and it read exactly the same as my inkbird. I'd done a similar thing before (when I insulated it with cardboard) and it was 0.2ºC out (I forget which direction).

Did you just cut out a section so the probe was inside or just tape some over the top?

Got plenty of sponges so will get onto it!

 

[Simonh82]

If the red light is on indicating that the inkbird thinks that it is heating then it sounds like a faulty heat pad. Double check by plugging into the wall as others have suggested.

 

[sven945]

Did you just cut out a section so the probe was inside or just tape some over the top?

Got plenty of sponges so will get onto it!

I just stuck it over, pretty tightly (though not so it was too squashed against the FV). I was assuming it'd be a degree or two out and I'd have to compensate, but it's not. I'd recommend taking your own measurements to see how it works in your setup though, just to be sure. Also I wrap mine in a blanket to keep the warmth in. One thing to be wary is that your heat belt doesn't overheat, but mine's only 25W so I don't worry too much about that.

 

[deanobrfc]

Update - had some time to look at this over the weekend and found that when plugged in to the mains, the heat pad does give out heat, but only at an extremely minimal level.

For others who have a heat pad, what kind of level of heat does it come out at?

As above mine is minimal and almost feels like its not really on, but it is also quite inconsistent - not at a consistent temperature.

Sam.

 

[Dutto]

Before I had the fridge, I bought one of these ...

http://www.homebrewcentregy.com/electrim-heating-tray-for-5-gallons

... and still use it occasionally if the fridge is occupied for cooling; and I can then use the Inkbird to control the heater.

One thing that is paramount in this weather (i.e. garage is less than 15 degrees all of the time) it is essential that I insulate the FV to allow the heater to work properly.

From your description of the problem I would check:

o The operation of the heater. (It may be very low wattage and not producing much heat.)

o The effectiveness of the insulation. (A low wattage heater will not put adequate heat into the brew if it is escaping due to poor insulation.)

o The operation of the Inkbird. (I've put this last because it is usually a very liable bit of kit.)

Enjoy. :thumb:

 

[deanobrfc]

Before I had the fridge, I bought one of these ...

http://www.homebrewcentregy.com/electrim-heating-tray-for-5-gallons

... and still use it occasionally if the fridge is occupied for cooling; and I can then use the Inkbird to control the heater.

One thing that is paramount in this weather (i.e. garage is less than 15 degrees all of the time) it is essential that I insulate the FV to allow the heater to work properly.

From your description of the problem I would check:

o The operation of the heater. (It may be very low wattage and not producing much heat.)

o The effectiveness of the insulation. (A low wattage heater will not put adequate heat into the brew if it is escaping due to poor insulation.)

o The operation of the Inkbird. (I've put this last because it is usually a very liable bit of kit.)

Enjoy. :thumb:

I've found an old freezer jacket which keeps down to -40 odd - have wrapped this round it now and hoping this keeps some warmth in!

Will put the heater back on and hope it produces enough to warm up the brew.

Thanks for your help!

Sam.