50W Aquarium Heater in Fermenting Bucket

[Sailboater410]

I just ordered a Fluval submersible 50 Watt glass tube aquarium heater ($21 with shipping) to keep my wort at the correct temp during these cold days, has anyone else tried this? I couldn't find any existing posts.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0027VMPXA/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

The design is very simple with a glass tube and very few crevices, should be easy to clean and sanitize. The temp can be set between 66-86 (upper limit doesn't matter obviously). There are higher wattage units available up to 300W but 50W should be adequate for up to 15 gallons and prevent localized burning or overheating of the wort.

Just curious if anyone else has tried or thought about using one of these.

 

[Bobby_M]

I have done it quite a bit but I heat a larger water bath around the fermenter rather than directly expose it to the wort. For one thing, the heating is more indirect and sanitation isn't an issue at all.

 

[Polboy]

I use 150W heater but like Bobby i keep carboys in plastic tote filled with water and im heating water not the wort directly, works well with 2 6.5gal carboys

 

[opengun]

This is a good idea. I'm having trouble fermenting in the winter because the SWMBO likes to keep the temp at 62 when we are sleeping and away from the house.