Inconsistant temps

[adhd curmudgeon]

I live in Australia and the climate is very inconsistant, so keeping the brew at a constant temp is hard, particularly during winter (it gets too cold at night).

I live in a rural area so supplies are hard to get.

I'm just wondering if a water-bed heater would help keep it at a good temp, or should I source a proper heating belt/mat?

 

[homebrewer_99]

How about placing it near your water heater/furnace? Place a thermometer on top of the fermenter to record the temp. Move it closer/farther away as necessary.

 

[cweston]

I've been thinking about experimenting with a water bath and aquarium heater for winter brewing.

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work: the aquarium heaters are pretty cheap and quite accurate.

 

[david_42]

A water bed heater might do the job, it has the correct temperature range. My biggest concern would be how many watts? If it more than 20-25 watts, it would tend to heat up too quickly. There's a big difference between heating a bed and a fermenter. One possibility would be to put the heater under a tub of water and set the fermenter in the tub with a trivit or a plate as a spacer.

 

[homebrewer_99]

All good ideas...

 

[adhd curmudgeon]

Cool, I'll have to try that. Thanx guys.

 

[Cool One]

I live in Australia and the climate is very inconsistant, so keeping the brew at a constant temp is hard, particularly during winter (it gets too cold at night).

I live in a rural area so supplies are hard to get.

I'm just wondering if a water-bed heater would help keep it at a good temp, or should I source a proper heating belt/mat?

I took a old clothes dryer, gut it out and insulate it. Then put a metal shelf in it, with a light bulb underneath it. Hook the light up to a thermostat and this will control your temperature. The heat from the light will go up past the shelf and keep everything warm. The front of the clothes dryer is on hinges , so the whole front opens up and the top lifts off. This will hold 2 five gallon containers.