1 Gallon -- Warming Ideas

[RandallFlag]

Hey there. I've been doing more experimental 1 Gal batches recently and currently have three finishing up fermentation. That said, my ambient basement temp is around 64 deg F and the jugs report around 62 deg F. I've seen a couple of "warming devices" for 5/6 gallon carboys. Do you folks have any ideas or know of any gadgets to keep 1 gallon batches a bit warmer?

Thanks.

 

[TheCrackpot]

Could you just move them upstairs? Maybe in a closet or something? 1 gallon jugs shouldn't be too hard to hide

 

[RandallFlag]

Could you just move them upstairs? Maybe in a closet or something? 1 gallon jugs shouldn't be too hard to hide

Would love to do so but mama (wife) says no.

 

[flars]

Tray of water and fish tank heater that is temp adjustable.
Fish tank heater with STC-1000 temp control.
Insulated box with paint can heater or ceramic reptile enclosure heater, both with STC-1000 control.

There's more, only limiting factor is the amount of unspoken for dollars.

 

[JohnSand]

I've used a cooler with warm water bottles. But one gallon batches might be hard to stabilize that way. I also move my batches near the heater in winter to stay warmer. Or on a table off the cold concrete. In warm weather it goes the other way, into a cool concrete corner. I check the ambient temps with a $6 hardware store thermometer.

 

[RandallFlag]

Tray of water and fish tank heater that is temp adjustable.
Fish tank heater with STC-1000 temp control.
Insulated box with paint can heater or ceramic reptile enclosure heater, both with STC-1000 control.

There's more, only limiting factor is the amount of unspoken for dollars.

Now that's some interesting ideas. Thanks!

 

[PatrickGoss]

I have used a big cardboard box with a temp controller (stc1000 would be a cheap option) powering a ten dollar heating pad. All of this was on top of a couple quilts to insulate the fermentation chamber off the cold basement floor. Could likely do the same thing with a whole closet and a space heater (something I have been thinking about but wife lets me haul stuff to an upstairs closet to finish out so I don't need to as long as I keep it to a couple at a time)

 

[bernardsmith]

Your ambient basement temperature is one thing but what is the source of heat for your home? Do you have a furnace? In the basement? Could you move the carboys closer to the furnace? What about your water heater? Is that located in the basement. Typically these are well insulated but they are not perfect. Could you move your carboys closer to that source of heat? Not sure if they are still being made but you could check to see if heating pads are available and place your carboys atop these pads, or alternatively, if you can find a very low watt incandescent light bulb and attach that to the inside of a wooden crate and place your carboys in such a box the heat from the bulb will warm your carboys.... I know people who rigged older X-mas bulbs in this way but you do need to be careful of fire and you do need to be sure that the carboys are screened from the light.

 

[Calichusetts]

That actually seems like a great ambient temp. I go down to that...even lower in the winter. WLP002 works amazing at and even lower than those temps...give Notty a try if you like dry yeast.

If I do want it warmer, I have Ice Cube coolers. As I am brewing I throw a couple towels in the dryer. Put them in the cooler so its full and put one more towel in the dryer during the boil. Put the carboy in the cooler and wrap the warm towel around it. Shut it...you should be good to go. Fermentation will be exothermic and hold the temp. I usually sits around 5-6 degrees warmer than ambient. If you get concerned, stuff several towels in the cooler as well.

I've gotten it 10 degrees above ambient with just using several towels.

 

[aopisa]

I think your 64 is about spot on.

My house is actually around 64-66 a good deal of the time. Since the fermentation process generates heat, a recent ale kept itself around a steady 68. At night I will wrap the carboy in a spare down jacket.

 

[RandallFlag]

This forum is amazing. These ideas/suggestions are awesome. Some really nice lifehacks, or beerhacks if you will.

Thanks to all of you.