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How do I heat my fermentation fridge?

Discussion in 'Beginners Beer Brewing Forum' started by aboantopick, Oct 23, 2014.

 

  1. #1
    aboantopick

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Oct 23, 2014
    I hooked up an ST1000 this summer to a 14 cf stand up fridge, works great for cooling, and the heating outlet works fine, I was wondering what to use for heat. A light bulb? An aquarium heater?
    What is it yall use
     
  2. #2
    OhCrap

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Oct 23, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 23, 2018
  3. #3
    govner1

    Kept Man!  

    Posted Oct 23, 2014
    ^^^This!


    Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew
     
  4. #4
    rekoob

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Oct 23, 2014
    I use a light bulb (think it's 45 watts) in a can. It works great and was a few bucks for the can and for the rubber socket. It does get hot so I put it on a thick chunk of alumimum plate.
     
  5. #5
    DaNewf

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Oct 23, 2014
    I only ever ferment one batch at a time so I use a heat belt attached directly to my fermenter. I attach the probe from my STC-1000 directly to the fermenter as well using a couple pieces of blue foam sleeping pad (camping type) secured with a couple bungee cords.
     
  6. #6
    william_shakes_beer

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Oct 23, 2014
    That's what I do as well. I have also read about npeople using a reptile heating pad strapped to the fermenter.
     
  7. #7
    ArthurDigbySellers

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Oct 23, 2014
    I use a hair dryer set on low heat. It has a built in circuit breaker that will trip if it overheats. It has worked great for me.
     
  8. #8
    zeekage

    Well-Known Member  

    Posted Oct 23, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 23, 2018
  9. #9
    aboantopick

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Oct 24, 2014
    Thank you for the answers. I have a small ceramic heater about a 5 inch cube I will use till I decide a solution. The temp was down to 16.5 c and the controller was set to 19.5 so when I put the heater in it was ping ponging so I temporarily unplugged the fridge, All is good.
    :rockin:
     
  10. #10
    govner1

    Kept Man!  

    Posted Oct 24, 2014

    I started w/ a small space heater (Sunbeam) that caught on fire. Fortunately the temp controller cut the power and since I built the chamber w/ treated ply & foam I had no real issues beyond a melted heater and some foam plus significant odor.
    That's when I went to the ceramic bulbs.


    Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew
     
  11. #11
    SleepyCreekBrews

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Oct 24, 2014
    Wow, that's scary. I use a pad strapped to the side of mine.
    Whatever y'all decide on, take steps to ensure your solution is safe.
     
  12. #12
    aboantopick

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Oct 24, 2014
    I already ordered the black ceramic bulb. thanks
     
  13. #13
    Snicklefritz

    Well-Known Member

    Posted Oct 24, 2014
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 23, 2018
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