fermentation temperature control options

[surista]

Hi guys - I've been on the look-out for a used refrigerator that would be the right size to fit my fermentation vessels + airlock; so far I haven't had much luck finding one that would be the right size.

In the meantime, I'm looking at some other temperature control options, focusing mainly on three possibilities.

1. Electric TE75 immersion heater
http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/acatalog/75_Immersion_Heater.html#.VliXyXbhDcs

Pros: Glass, water-proof heater able to hold a temperature between 14-34 deg C (obviously assumes ambient temperature is colder than the temp you're holding at). On/Off option so not on all the time. Comes with a standard-size rubber bung. Seems this would be the best, most consistent option. Reasonably cheap.

Cons: While it's water-proof so can be sanitized, you're still sticking something in your beer the whole time. Would work with 1-gallon demijohns but most large plastic fermenters etc. don't have the rubber bung-sized holes.


2. Heat tray (4 demi / 5-gal fermenter)
http://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/heat-tray-4demi-5-gallon-fermenter/
Pros: No need to stick something in our beer.

Cons: No thermostatic control. Always on, unless a time clock is also used. More expensive than the immersion heater


3. Brew Belt
http://www.lovebrewing.co.uk/brew-belt/
Pros: No need to stick anything in your beer. Cheaper than a heat tray. Some ability to manipulate temperature by moving belt up or down the fermenter.

Cons: No thermostatic control, always on unless you use a time clock. Moving belt up or down to change temperature seems....inconsistent and unreliable at best.


4. Adhesive reptile heat mats
http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rep...stat-high-power-adhesive-heat-mat-414937.html

Pros: Nothing in the beer. Wraps around the fermenter so does more than just heat the bottom of the fermenter. Heats more than just one area of the beer so could be more consistent. Cheaper than than the other options, although gets more expensive if used in conjuction with a Swell Thermostat
http://www.reptiles.swelluk.com/rep.../thermostats-555/swell-thermostat-323495.html

Cons: Apparently can't be used with plastic fermenter.


In terms of ease of use and consistency my thinking is that the immersion heater option would be best, while the heating tray option seems to be the easiest.

Anyone have any options / suggestions?

 

[CUrchin]

Put the fermenter in a water bath and put the immersion heater in the water bath. That way the heater doesn't need to go in the beer.

Could also use a light bulb in a paint can or small fan heater (some are as small as 100W). I assume from your post you are looking for heat only?

 

[Jwin]

My fermentation chamber is holding my speidel so I rigged this up with my hot rod and mash tun.

View attachment 1448649740516.jpg

View attachment 1448649753217.jpg

 

[surista]

Hmm, putting the FV in a big water bath is decent idea. Just have to find something big enough to hold a five-gallon carboy.

And yes, for now I'm only looking to heat. I'm in north London and at least during the winter I don't need to worry that much about it getting too warm. But that is more of an issue in the spring, so yeah, still looking for a used refrigerator that works. Every decently sized used refrigerator or chest freezer I've come across, the FV + airlock ends up being an inch or two too tall. Is there a way to have an airlock not stick straight up? It adds almost four inches to the height of the FV.

 

[Jwin]

Hmm, putting the FV in a big water bath is decent idea. Just have to find something big enough to hold a five-gallon carboy.

And yes, for now I'm only looking to heat. I'm in north London and at least during the winter I don't need to worry that much about it getting too warm. But that is more of an issue in the spring, so yeah, still looking for a used refrigerator that works. Every decently sized used refrigerator or chest freezer I've come across, the FV + airlock ends up being an inch or two too tall. Is there a way to have an airlock not stick straight up? It adds almost four inches to the height of the FV.

Use a blow off in a shallow about of sanitizer
You can get a nylon 90 degree elbow hose barb and put it in the bunghole and attach the hose to that
To prevent suckback, only put as much sanatizer in there as the hose will hold
I've also seen where someone used a large vertical loop of hose with about an ounce of liquid in it.

 

[kh54s10]

My fermentation chamber is in the heated portion of my basement. I cool all year round. Minifridge in the end of the chamber with a Johnson A419 controller.