Winter (Fermenter) Warmer

[Bubba Wade]

Time to install the heater for the fermenter as cool weather is hitting NW Arkansas. 18 watt seedling mat stuck between the fermenter and the neoprene jacket works great. The garage temperature in the winter can get pretty cold.

 

[GFHomebrew]

View attachment 18184 Time to install the heater for the fermenter as cool weather is hitting NW Arkansas. 18 watt seedling mat stuck between the fermenter and the neoprene jacket works great. The garage temperature in the winter can get pretty cold.

View attachment 18181

The glycol pump will be laying idle for awhile .

 

[Minbari]

As long as that Provides enough heat. I use 100w aquarium heater in the fermenter .

 

[Bubba Wade]

As long as that Provides enough heat. I use 100w aquarium heater in the fermenter .

I ran a calc before I bought the heater. Taking my fermenter, I used the surface area, insulation type, insulation thickness, and assumed temperatures to calculate the heat loss.

For a 35°F temperature differential, the steady state heat loss was about 9 watts. So the 18 watt heater was sufficient. Most of the time the temperature differential is quite a bit less, usually 15 or 20 degrees.

I ran this the last couple of winters with no problems maintaining heat. If you can insulate the vessel fairly well, heating requirements are fairly low.

 

[Bubba Wade]

The glycol pump will be laying idle for awhile .

Yes, we have about a 3-4 month window where I don't need the cooler other than using it to cool down the batch after brewing.

 

[Minbari]

I ran a calc before I bought the heater. Taking my fermenter, I used the surface area, insulation type, insulation thickness, and assumed temperatures to calculate the heat loss.

For a 35°F temperature differential, the steady state heat loss was about 9 watts. So the 18 watt heater was sufficient. Most of the time the temperature differential is quite a bit less, usually 15 or 20 degrees.

I ran this the last couple of winters with no problems maintaining heat. If you can insulate the vessel fairly well, heating requirements are fairly low.

More work than I put into it lol. I just bought 100W heater and called it good. The controller does the rest

 

[Donoroto]

Fwiw, I use a 50 W (max) heating pad, the kind for a bad back, and I have never needed it on more than 'low'.

 

[Herm brews]

At my workplace today, in the shade. I probably don’t need to worry about warming my fermentations, right?

 

[Sunfire96]

View attachment 18194 At my workplace today, in the shade. I probably don’t need to worry about warming my fermentations, right?

I don't miss California lol between this and discussing wildfires with friends over dinner, I'm glad the Golden State is far in my rear view mirror

 

[The Brew Mentor]

View attachment 18194 At my workplace today, in the shade. I probably don’t need to worry about warming my fermentations, right?

Ouch!
Look like you may need to use a steady dose of Kveik