Which type of beer heater?

[jimboedin]

Hello All

Just got a question about beer heaters. I've been making my first brew in a long time and it's never really taken off. Tried putting more yeast in etc, but I think the lack of heat in my flat is the problem, and I've decided to get a beer heater.

Quite like the idea of using a belt on the outside of the bucket, as this way I don't have to mess with putting things inside the bucket with the beer. Only thing is I can't find a thermostatically controlled one so worried it might overheat if I leave it on all day when away at work.

Any suggestions? should I just get an immersion one?

 

[31bb3]

Ive got a heat mat i leave mine on all the time

 

[Dunfie]

I use an ordinary heat belt and I control it with a TC-10 thermostat.

Here is a thread with all the details: clicky linky

I stick in the garage, wrap the fermenter in a big sleeping back and let it do its stuff.

 

[Aleman]

If you want to use an immersion heater but not put it int he beer . . . get a under bed storage box from wherever . . . stand the FV in that . . . put some water in the storage container and the heater in the container rather than the FV. I do it for 5 gallon batches and it works well.

I would not use any form of heating without a thermostat though.