Keeping Lagers Warmer for Fermenting

gxm said:

As I type, I'm boiling a couple of lagers. I typically pitch & ferment at 50F, either using my kegerator, or relying on winter to cool my basement to 48F-52F.
However, Portland is currently having a cold snap, and my basement is 40F. I suppose I can use hot water bottles in a water bath to raise the temp ~50F. Any other ideas for keeping lagers warmer than ambient?

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Clonefarmer said:

Fish tank heater in a water bath.

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gxm said:

I've got a couple of aquarium heaters, but neither one goes below 60F.

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dkershner said:

Keep using less water until the fermenter temp is cooled enough by the air temp to even out the 60F water.

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gxm said:

I hadn't thought of that. I'm curious if that keeps a relatively even temp in the fermenter.

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