I've just fermented my first brew for many years. It's in the pressure keg now, enjoying secondary fermentation. All this is happening in a cold basement, but I have a belt type heater that I used on the FV and will keep on the pressure keg for a few days.
I'm feeling keen to get my second batch going as well. I could wait a few days, but I have a possible alternative method. I have an infra-red heat mat of the type people use to heat reptiles. It's a flat carbon fibre mat sealed in plastic. It uses about 15W, I think, so it isn't very powerful. Would it be suitable for a FV? If I put it underneath the vessel on a polystyrene sheet, is there a danger that the yeast, being on the bottom, close to the heater, might get cooked? Has anyone tried using one of these?
A couple of other questions while I'm about it. My belt heater kept the wort at about 22 - 24C. Is that a bit warm?
I siphoned the beer into the keg, but the FV has a tap. If I'd let it pour from a height into the keg, would that have been a welcome bit of aeration before the secondary fermentation, or a risk of contamination?
Thanks. The brew is a Cooper's Real Ale, by the way. Next up is a Brupak Colne Valley Bitter, then a Hambleton Bard Bitter - I've got some dark spray malt, and may use 500g of that with 500g sugar with the Bard kit.
heat mat
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sib67
Re: heat mat
I use a heat pad for fermenting, but have it controlled by an ATC800 to prevent it overheating the beer. The heat pad is out in the garage at the moment, and I don't fancy braving the snow, but I think it's only about 18W.
I usually ferment in the 18C-21C range, so 22C-24C would be slightly higher than I would normally be comfortable with, but others will probably advise you on this. Personally, I would say that you definately don't want the temerature creeping up any higher than 24C.
As for aerating the beer whilst transferring to the keg - definately don't do it! Connect your siphon hose to your FV tap, and make sure that the end of the hose reaches the bottom of your keg.
I usually ferment in the 18C-21C range, so 22C-24C would be slightly higher than I would normally be comfortable with, but others will probably advise you on this. Personally, I would say that you definately don't want the temerature creeping up any higher than 24C.
As for aerating the beer whilst transferring to the keg - definately don't do it! Connect your siphon hose to your FV tap, and make sure that the end of the hose reaches the bottom of your keg.
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Ditch
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Re: heat mat
Sib 67's bang on about the notion of pouring from a height. That's such an easy trap to fall into, I wonder if C.J. Berry didn't suggest it and some of us have unconsciously retained the notion, deep inside our ageing brain cells?
Anyway; Heat mats? Have to ask yeself why the majority aren't using them, haven't ye? Cheap as chips. Dead easy to use. Don't even need sanitising ..... yet a few use belts. Many more use aquarium heaters. A good few build 'to die for' insulated cupboards, controlled by ATC's. Don't think I've heard of anyone using a heat mat.
Thinking about it; I used to use them for some of my creatures, back in the day. Idea is that the occupant can move in front of it, for a warm. Then, feeling sorted, it has to have a spot where it can get away from the heat ray effect. FV can't do that. I wouldn't use one.
I use an aquarium heater. 50Watt. Set it for 19 / 20 F and away I go.
Like ye Bitters, don't ye? How about giving a Stout a crack? Ring the changes. Ye'll be amazed. I'm not talking Guinness. I'm talking Coopers Stout!
Anyway; Heat mats? Have to ask yeself why the majority aren't using them, haven't ye? Cheap as chips. Dead easy to use. Don't even need sanitising ..... yet a few use belts. Many more use aquarium heaters. A good few build 'to die for' insulated cupboards, controlled by ATC's. Don't think I've heard of anyone using a heat mat.
Thinking about it; I used to use them for some of my creatures, back in the day. Idea is that the occupant can move in front of it, for a warm. Then, feeling sorted, it has to have a spot where it can get away from the heat ray effect. FV can't do that. I wouldn't use one.
I use an aquarium heater. 50Watt. Set it for 19 / 20 F and away I go.
Like ye Bitters, don't ye? How about giving a Stout a crack? Ring the changes. Ye'll be amazed. I'm not talking Guinness. I'm talking Coopers Stout!
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Parva
Re: heat mat
I think you meant Centigrade there Ditch, 19-20f is well below freezing.Ditch wrote: I use an aquarium heater. 50Watt. Set it for 19 / 20 F and away I go.
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hatless
Re: heat mat
Thanks for the answers. I probably should be patient and go slowly. I'm in a period of experimentation as I find what I like and techniques that work, and it would make sense not to change too many things at once. So I'll force myself to wait a couple of days before the next brew begins.
Yes, I do like bitter, but stout is good too. I'll make sure I give Cooper's stout a go.
Yes, I do like bitter, but stout is good too. I'll make sure I give Cooper's stout a go.
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Ditch
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Re: heat mat
Parva wrote: I think you meant Centigrade there Ditch, 19-20f is well below freezing.
Eh ....? Ohhhh Shit! So it is! LMFAO! Never could get my head round all that
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boingy
Re: heat mat
Ditch wrote:Parva wrote: I think you meant Centigrade there Ditch, 19-20f is well below freezing.
Eh ....? Ohhhh Shit! So it is! LMFAO! Never could get my head round all that
Ditch brews the best Ice Stout you've ever tasted