how do you guys heat your fermenter?

[cheezydemon3]

I use a ceramic element that screws into a light bulb socket. I have it in a cheap desk lamp in my fermentation fridge hooked up to a dual output Ranco digital temp controller. One side controls the heat element, the other side controls the fridge for cooling. I can dial in any temp and be within one degree of the setting. Hot or cold, it's da bomb!

That is awesome. Does heating your fridge leach chemicals?

Kidding, but is mold a problem?



(Do chemicals leached kill the mold?)

 

[maida7]

That is awesome. Does heating your fridge leach chemicals?

Kidding, but is mold a problem?



(Do chemicals leached kill the mold?)

So far mold has not been an issue. I got the fridge used and the guy who I bought it from was a slob. The fridge and freezer were both super nasty. So I gave it all a very good cleaning with hot oxiclean and then sanitized the entire inside with starsan.

Since then I've done at least 20-25 batches in it over the past year or so. I've had to clean it after some of those batches had explosive blow offs. I've never seen mold.

I've used chest freezers in the past and the major drawback is moisture, rust and mold. Not so with a fridge. The cooling action in a frost free fridge also dries the air. I use the cooling on every batch to keep the ferment from raging out of bounds. I only use the heat towards the end to keep the yeast working, diacytle rest, etc... With no moisture, mold doesn't really grow.

 

[Hartski]

My basement is hovering around 64-65 drgrees. Is that warm enough for the fermentation?

 

[dfc]

My basement is hovering around 64-65 drgrees. Is that warm enough for the fermentation?

Sure is.

 

[Hartski]

Awesome. Didn't want to sink more money into this venture quite yet.

 

[maida7]

My basement is hovering around 64-65 drgrees. Is that warm enough for the fermentation?

depends on the yeast strain and beer style. in many cases it's kinda warm.

That's OK for several ale yeasts. Do the bulk of the ferment in the basement then bring it up to a warmer spot as the ferment winds down.

 

[Hartski]

Beer Style is a smoked Porter. Got the kit from Brewer's best. Don't know what the yeast strain is....

 

[maida7]

Beer Style is a smoked Porter. Got the kit from Brewer's best. Don't know what the yeast strain is....

Just cool the wort into the low 60's before pitching the yeast. Then set in the basement for the first 3-5 days. As the ferment slows bring it to a warm area and let it finish there. Good Luck!

 

[Brewvy]

thriftstore electric blanket then add a cheap thermostat. you could wrap around 3-4 carboys.