Heating fermentation chamber

[sorefingers23]

I'm looking for some ideas how to heat my fermentation chamber once the cold weather gets here. I'd like to know what others have done.

 

[ryan_george]

I'm also in the process of building a chamber and will incorporate some sort of heating method. Seems like a lot of people use a simple incandescent light bulb (60 - 100 W?) with a shield. I'll either do the light-bulb method or buy a cheap space heater.

 

[TyTanium]

I use this: Lasko My Heat. Works GREAT, I love it. Has a small fan to circulate.

Note: A heating element in a potentially moist environment...use a GFCI. I use this: Portable GFCI

 

[Indytruks138]

I am using the Williams Brewing Heating Pad made for fermentation chambers. It is pretty nice, has adhesive on it to attach to whatever surface you want, and heats well. I have it hooked up in my ferm fridge on a two stage controller, when I first plugged it in the fridge was at 36 and it took it up to 68 in less than an hour, with a good amount of liquid in the fridge.

 

[diS]

Light bulb 60w in paint can, simple and effective.

 

[sorefingers23]

Light bulb 60w in paint can, simple and effective.

There's no danger of the bulb getting to hot?

 

[uberg33k]

Flexwatt

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004XNMI6E/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

Heats slowly and I was able to seal it up fairly well. I'm going to guess (but can't promise) this will make it water resistant in case of spillage.

 

[TyTanium]

There have been a few posts of melted fridges on here, but I think that's usually an exposed bulb up against the siding. If it's in the can, and suspended (not touching the sides), and your temp controller works, it should shut off before it gets too hot. But I don't use a bulb anymore.

 

[rifraf]

Your local pet store should have infrared or ceramic bulbs in the reptile section. They screw into a normal lamp or socket and are specifically designed to heat enclosed spaces. The IR light also won't hurt your beer!