Fermentation Chamber Heater CHEAP

[Brulosopher]

I just built this: http://brewstands.com/fermentation-heater.html

$12.88 after tax at HD. With a 75 watt bulb, it took my 7 cu. ft. freezer from 52F to 61F in 20 min... in a cold garage. Brilliant!!

Cheers!

 

[BetterSense]

I just use a bare lightbulb and $3.88 IKEA light-bulb-cord.


I'm not sure what the point of the paint can is.

 

[Face Eater]

I'm guessing to keep the light from being exposed to the carboys. Looks like a good idea for when I build my chamber.

 

[Bruin]

I use a Delonghi forced air heater which has a thermostat. Works great, I keep it on low power. Keeping the inside of my currently unused upright freezer at 62-63 in my otherwise 55 deg basement. Was pretty cheap when I bought it like 20 years ago.

 

[raouliii]

Over time, 75 watts enclosed in that paint can may soften or even melt the plastic fixture. That fixture is not really designed to be used in an enclosure. There are ceramic versions of that fixture that would hold up much better. MHO

 

[Brulosopher]

I'm not sure what the point of the paint can is.

My guess is it also tempers the heat a little... either way, I enjoy putting sh*t like this together

 

[timdsmith72]

Hehe. I just built one of these. Works great.

 

[Brulosopher]

Over time, 75 watts enclosed in that paint can may soften or even melt the plastic fixture. That fixture is not really designed to be used in an enclosure. There are ceramic versions of that fixture that would hold up much better. MHO

My father in law suggested the same thing, but I refused his advice :/ I really don't think the bulb will be on for long periods of time... if it melts, I'll switch to ceramic, which costs less than $2 anyway. Thanks!

 

[raouliii]

And maybe a couple of rubber grommets to protect the cord.

 

[gunner65]

My father in law suggested the same thing, but I refused his advice :/ I really don't think the bulb will be on for long periods of time... if it melts, I'll switch to ceramic, which costs less than $2 anyway. Thanks!

Your doing nasty things to his daughter could you at least listen to him on this one?

 

[lud]

Your doing nasty things to his daughter could you at least listen to him on this one?

Ditto lol...

 

[Brulosopher]

Your doing nasty things to his daughter could you at least listen to him on this one?

Ha! Funny... true... but f*ck no!

 

[Flomaster]

My little ceramic fan heater is a nice idea, but the thermostat in it turns it off and I have to unplug it to reset it. Not very practical.

I already had the ceramic light fixture and I'm using a 75 watt black light bulb.

 

[Brulosopher]

It's been working great! Keeping my Bohonkus Brown at about 66F in a 50F garage. I did switch to a 60W bulb, even though it's only on for mere minutes at a time.