Waterbath

[Stringybob]

Going to ferment in a waterbath with a fish tank heater in it. Does the water need to be sanitised i.e. with Stars and?

[Dennis King]

If it not coming in contact with the worn it does not need sterilizing.

[Fastline]

Only thing I have had is when you get violent fermentation and it lifts the lid and spews into your bucket, can smell after a few days and look quiet funky, other thing to be careful off is the water Evaporation, can expose the heater and cause them to overheat the water

[Fil]

a capful of bleach in the water should keep it clean if you have any doubts.. though unless resuing the same waterbath for months on end without replacing then you may need it..

do keep an eye on the water level as suggested above..

a couple of bricks lets u sit the heater between em under the brew, you only need a few inches of bucket to be submerged 4-5" is fine..

AND ALWAYS CHECK THE HEATERS THERMOMETER/TEMPERASTURE SELECTOR by running it 24 hours without beer in a small bucket and check wiuth a trusted thermometer to ensure you dont overheat by accident

[oldbloke]

I used to put a bit of bleach in my waterbath to stop it going manky

[duncans]

Yeah, bit if bleach. If the whole thing has a lid then clean the underside as condensation can form and when you lift it it can run on top of your fermenting and sit by bungs and airlocks etc.