Hairdryer in side-by-side fridge

[-MG-]

I want to add a heating element to my side-by-side fermentor. I know many people have used a hairdryer and I got one for $15 bucks, but it looks kind of powerful 1875 watts?

I currently have a fan hooked up to my ebay controller that pulls the cool air and is powered directly into the wiring of the fridge, not into a separate outlet. If I also hardwire the hairdryer to the same power source, will there be enough power for it on low? will I make a huge mistake and possibly fry the entire wiring?

 

[passedpawn]

I think putting a hair dryer in a refrigerator or chest freezer is a very bad idea. I can imagine some bad stuff happening, and it's probably super overkill.

A 60W light bulb will do the trick. Or better yet get a ceramic heater from your local pet store (for reptiles).

 

[Revvy]

Some better options in this thread.

 

[-MG-]

Thanks for the tips. I thought about the paint can idea, but didn't want to give up the height of that since I plan to put the heater on the bottom of the fridge. (I currently have two shelves that fit in nicely at the height I want).

I'll go with this:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003XDTWN2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Thanks again for link.

 

[canyonbrewer]

I use a hair dryer on low. Works awesome and runs very rarely. Controlled by a Johnson 419.

 

[Hammy71]

I think putting a hair dryer in a refrigerator or chest freezer is a very bad idea. I can imagine some bad stuff happening, and it's probably super overkill.

A 60W light bulb will do the trick. Or better yet get a ceramic heater from your local pet store (for reptiles).

Yeah, as an electrician, hair dryers scare me. They get really hot, really fast. I went with something a little more subtle. Just get something that keeps the ambient temperature where you want it, without drastic changes. Light bulb, reptile heater, etc. I used a fermwrap I had laying around. Tywrapped to the back of the fermentation fridge and controlled with a Ranco with a small fan. Works perfect, and I can sleep at night.

 

[Revvy]

I'm using a brew belt for a single carboy. It's been working great with my ebay temp controller, keeping a lager at a steady 25 degree, on my GF's unheated sunporch, even today where where it's 9 degrees with the windchill.

The amazon small ceramic heater looks great for more that one carboy. I think I might go with that in the future.