Keeping fermentation warm during winter?

[cwiseman77]

The room I use to ferment my beer is at the back of the house and all year has been a suitable 19C. The weather up here has dropped dramatically the last few weeks and the temperature has dropped to 14C.

What's the best way to keep the temperature up? Is it worth buying a heat belt?

 

[RobWalker]

You could have a look at an immersion heater connected to a temp control unit. They don't come up too expensive and they're very very beneficial to brewing, keeping at the right temp will give you the right flavours and prevent hangovers! :thumb:

 

[cwiseman77]

You could have a look at an immersion heater connected to a temp control unit. They don't come up too expensive and they're very very beneficial to brewing, keeping at the right temp will give you the right flavours and prevent hangovers! :thumb:

Like the kind you use in a fish tank? I've looked at some heat belts but none seem to have thermostats so I'd be worried about over heating. Immersion might be the way to go

 

[RobWalker]

yep, precisely :thumb: i think you can wire heat belts into them too to turn off once it reaches a certain temp. i dunno much about it, but that's what people do :

 

[PD]

I used an old heat belt regularly beginning of the year before the weather warmed up, without any problems. Yes it is uncontrollable without wiring it up to some sort of thermostat but I managed to keep the temps around 21C. Probably its because I was able to look at the brewing vessels several times a day and could move the belt up and down to roughly alter the temps, its a bit of a faff but it can be done.
I know nothing about electrics but wonder could the fish tank heater be wired to a household dimmer switch ? I got a few of those knocking about.
This winter I'm going to use a water bath though as the brews are in the garage and it will cause no problem.

 

[Jeltz]

Fish tank heaters are thermostatically controlled so as to maintain the environment of the animals. There should be no need to wire to anything but a mains plug.

 

[PD]

of course they are silly me...

 

[kentmark]

Big thick blanket!

 

[ScottM]

100w fish tank heater should do the job nicely. Quite a few options on ebay under £10 :)

Just sterilise it and drop it in.

 

[cwiseman77]

Went for immersion heater...thanks for the advice guys

 

[eddie66]

I have adapted a seed propergator by building an mdf box on the bottom & 4 sides, cutting a piece of 38mm celotex & putting under the propergator, works a treat & doesen't get too hot. Cheaper than buying a heat tray.

 

[davepisshead]

i use fish tank heaters ,dial setting from 68-93 just thread through lid so it hangs in the middle of the bin. about £10 is right.i've seen heater belt & bucket for £85

 

[Gayle]

I was thinking cardbard box for the demijohns, insulated with newspaper or blankets. Maybe put a hot water bottle in... :hmm: okay I'm not sure if that will help at all! I could possibly move them to a warmer room but that would be upstairs away from the kitchen sink. Is major temp fluctuation a big factor in hangovers? (besides the actual amount drunk?!)

 

[PD]

a wine is always better if you can keep the temperatures stable. Whether it causes more and bigger hangovers I can't say.
Lots of ways to keep the DJ's warm, unfortunately the art is in keeping the temps stable, neither hot nor cool and not fluctuating.
I've used a hot water bottle before.... ....and cardboard boxes and newspapers, all depends on the ambient temp. Of course its better to keep the DJ's in a warm room but as we all know that's not always possible.

 

[RobWalker]

Wheres Alistair when you need him? :p

High temps cause fusel alcohol which gives you an epic hangover. Low temps won't, fluctuations won't unless it goes high quite a lot.

You also want to eat plenty of stodge, drink a pint of water before bed, and know when to say "I've drunk enough"

 

[cwiseman77]

You also want to eat plenty of stodge, drink a pint of water before bed, and know when to say "I've drunk enough"

Some solid advice ladies and gents....

 

[tazuk]

just build your self a fermintation fridge then it dont matter wot month it is easy m8 :thumb:

 

[Cooks]

Re fish tank heaters pricey to run? I'm hoping to stick the FV in the shed, so the heater will constantly be running...

 

[Devonhomebrew]

Small tubular radiator is what i use just place it right next to the fv and away we go fermentation is at 20*C :twisted:

 

[RobWalker]

Well they are 100w. Electric fire is usually 3000w, boiler is 2000w, light bulb is 60w. So about as much as 1.5 lightbulbs an hour :p
But think of the money you save on beer!