Brew warmer...comments please.

[Bubbatrev]

When I decided to try home brewing my wife was very supportive. I was amazed when she even said " I can't wait to taste what you make." So I purchased my first beer kit...Mr. Beer.

Well okay, before I really had the kit started, I also purchased a better kit. A brewcraft starter kit, from my local Home Brew shop.

As I was going over the instructions, and learning what I could online. My wife passed by me one evening and asked " where on the porch do you plan to put these?" .....( we live in Portland, Oregon, not an option )

Ummm, in the closet I said. As the scowl hit her face, and said something about not dealing with the smell...or something like that. I wasn't really listening at this time you see. I thought, hey our house is probably never above 70 degrees for any extended time. Both of us working, and the boy at school.

Why not build a brew warmer. Not only for the brew, but the bottles as well when they get started. So I started, and here is what I came up with.



We have a large shed with power behind the house.

This unit measures 4 feet wide, 28 inches tall, 25 inches deep.
It is made with half inch plywood, 1x2 spacers. There is r19 insulation between each panel. The heat source is a small utility heater from Home Depot, along with the basic baseboard heater thermostat.

Let me know what you think. Did I miss anything? what should I add?

Thanks

 

[LKHA]

looks great

 

[android]

nice job, looks like you got it. keeping the wifey happy is half the battle with brewing!

 

[Grizzlybrew]

looks good to me. I like the air diverter in front of the Mr. Beer barrel! Well Done.

 

[Wayne1]

My only suggestion would be to put some vinyl flooring type material on the floor. There will be spills at some point.

 

[RhodyRed]

Looks awesome. I live in New England and have been thinking about building a warm fermentation chamber like this for the barn.

When you say utility heater, is that the same as a typical space heater? My only concern is it being a fire hazard...

 

[Bubbatrev]

I went through the same worry. Yes, it is a small space heater. Howver it is on the lowest heat setting. (nice for the power bill) And, it has its own safety shut off. I think I did okay with the insulation, the darn thing barely runs. Once the "box" got warm, it holds it heat very well.

Thank you Wayne1, I never thought of floor tiles. When I clear this batch out, I will make a quick trip to Home Depot for some peel and stick action.


Thanks everyone

 

[JesseRC]

I might suggest a small fan in there to distribute heat evenly. If the temps are the same all around , I wouldnt worry about it. Good job.

Oh , I do have a question. Wouldnt heat escape via the fan when its off?

 

[Bubbatrev]

Air escaping through the fan vent was a thought. I have not noticed any problems so far. We have had a little snow this year, and the weather has been very mild. Portland has hit mid 50s on quite a few occasions. With lows in the mid to upper 30s.

I thought about thin flexible plastic strips in front of the vent. To copy a commercial walk in freezer type door. I just don't know if that would be too much for the heater to push. Or, if it would set the heaters sensor off.

Definitely a work in progress. Any thoughts or ideas, please share.

Thanks in advance.