petree3

Recipes 

Even though I live on the beautiful California coast it is now getting odwn into the thirties at night and in the morning. My fermentation fridge is outside (SWMBO's orders) and now it wont even get up into the low 60's where I need it to be for ales. Would putting a 60 watt light bulb in there be sufficient to get the fridge up to temp or maybe is that too overpowered? I don't want the fridge to be running all the time (running up the electric bills!) Does anyone have experience with this?

mpcluever

Recipes 

You should use your temp control system to control your heat source instead of the fridge. That way, the fridge never runs and if your heat source is a bit overpowered, it just runs less. No experience using a light bulb as a heat source though.

dcarter

Recipes 

Build on of these and connect it to your temp controller. I could post a pic of mine if you want. They work great and a 60 watt bulb will do the trick.
http://brewstands.com/fermentation-heater.html

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My trash heap fridge rescue and conversion to a first class fermentation chamber

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ibbones

Recipes 

Living in South Texas, I have the same situation. Last year, and soon this year I put a heating pad in the freezer set on low for a day or so just to keep the temps up to the right level. I'm sure there are better ways but that is what I had on hand.

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