A couple of fermenter questions!

[docdave]

I'm in the process of building a fermentation chamber using a Kenmore 18 cu in refrigerator and a STC-1000 temp controller. I have a couple of questions to verify for the build:

1. I was planning on using a 100W reptile infrared bulb for heat. Would this be adequate for an unheated garage in Detroit MI area in the winter? Would a higher wattage aquarium heater be better? I plan on fermenting in 6 gal glass carboys, 5 gal buckets and 15.5 gal keg fermenter at ale and lager temps.

2. Would a ferm belt be useful for heat? I may have 2 or even 3 fermenters in the chamber at once.

3. Is it better to leave the fridge thermostat alone of should I bypass it for refrigeration control?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! DocDave

 

[RedlegEd]

Hi docdave. I just finished setting up a 7 cuft chest freezer as a fermentation chamber, so I can appreciate your questions. With such a large chamber (18 cuft,) I'd think you might want to have more flexibility / control for each vessel instead of the entire chamber (i.e. doing a lager and ale at the same time.) Where I live (Memphis area,) it's harder to keep things cool/cold than warm, so I use a belt on the FV to warm it and keep the entire chamber as cool as it needs to be. Instead of the more expensive ferm belt, I use a VIVOSUN Durable Waterproof Seedling Heat Mat Warm Hydroponic Heating Pad 10" x 20.75" Mat Only (~$13.00, Amazon) and put Reflectix on one side held on with a bungee. It's controlled by heat side of the STC-1000.

BTW, I think the answer to # 3 is yes - leave it alone. Set the fridge thermostat as low as it needs to be for the coolest fermentation and control the heat to the FV(s) with the STC-1000. (I'm guessing you won't be using the freezer part.) Speaking of STC-1000s, I highly recommend you look at the Black Box STC-1000+ which is modified (flashed) to be able to program fermentation schedules and temperatures. You can read more about it here THE BLACK BOX IS BEYOND COOL… AND HOT!

If you plan on doing multiple different fermentations at the same time, it might be worth while to have more than one STC-1000 to control heat to different FVs.

I also use a 16" Stainless Steel Thermowell .25" ID directly in the FV instead of taping the sensor to the side of the bucket/carboy so you get a much more accurate reading of the wort's actual temperature.

I hope I didn't get too winded and gave you something you can use.

Ed

 

[Bellybuster]

I'm a couple hundred miles north of you and also ferment in the unheated garage.
I haven't used my chamber yet in the winter but I'm thinking 100 watts won't even be close to enough.
I have a 1500 watt ceramic heater in mine and am hoping that will do it,

 

[docdave]

Thanks for the advice on the fermentation chamber. I just finished wiring the STC-1000 temp controller. Lots of good info here and wiring was relatively simple. I was still considering the heating problem in my garage when I saw an idea at Costco. I think I'm going to insulate my garage door with the those pre-cut insulating panels. The rest of my garage is insulated. The product claims that I can raise the temp in my garage to 44oF in winter. If this is accurate, I might be able to get away with a carboy heater or belt to do the job.

Any insight would be appreciated!

DocDave