Fermentation Fridge Build

[bigstoo]

I'm in the process of building a fermentation fridge and wondering what to use as a heat source.

What have other people used?
I'm thinking either a heat mat or a tube heater.

Screwfix do a 120w tube heater. Is that a bit too powerful?
Or how about a 60w light bulb? Is there a danger of things melting? Or are people using them successfully?

Lastly, what's the general concensus on the location to mount the heat source (bottom?) and where to mount the temp sensor?

[StrangeBrew]

I've used a 12 inch 60w tubular heater in the bottom of the fridge so the heat rises. I was also going to use a 12v pc fan to circulate the air but found it not necessary.

The temp probe for my ATC-800 is either half way up the fridge side or taped to the fv, either is fine.
No need to emerse the probe in the beer, if the ATC-800 is set to 20c with +/- 1c I'm getting approx 19.5c liquid temp.

[Bobba]

I've got an immersion heater in the beer, which I find is working very well for me on the first proper brew test, but you will need to put the heat probe in the beer for that (or fix it firmly to side of the FV)

[StrangeBrew]

I've got an immersion heater in the beer, which I find is working very well for me on the first proper brew test, but you will need to put the heat probe in the beer for that (fix it firmly to side of the FV)

That should work ok but it's just more stuff to sterilize.

[bigstoo]

I'm aiming for something along the lines of StrangeBrew.
I'll have to build a shelf though, as the existing bottom shelf is glass and I don't trust it with 25 litres of fermenting wort.
Where did you get the heater from SB? The cheapest one I've found it £25ish. Ideally I'd like to spend around, err, nothing, which is why I was thinking of using a lightbulb. Has anyone had any success with a lightbulb?

[boingy]

Lightbulbs are used by many people and work fine. The problem is that they are vulnerable to damage especially whilst you are lugging a heavy FV in and out of the cupboard. The cost of replcaing broken bulbs is not high but I'm not sure I'd like broken glass near my beer.

Toolstation sell cheap tubular heaters:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Heating ... 168/p32265

[sladeywadey]

I have a set up similar to strangebrew's - I use a 40watt tubular heater in a fridge and this is controlled by a TC10 controller. The temp probe is taped half way up the side of the FV. Works fine.

[Bobba]

Are the tubular heaters water/beer-proof. Last batch got pretty violent in there and overfilled everywhere, any idea if those heaters would be ok?

[boingy]

They are IP44 rated which basically means "splashproof".
I think if you mount them a bit above the floor level so that they cannot end up sitting in a puddle then they will be OK.
But you should maybe consider getting a bigger FV...

[Titanium Tone]

Hi Bobba,
I use 2 tube heaters in my fermentation cupboard a 60w and a 120w the 60w is on permmantly and the 120 is on a thermostatic plug to maintain a steady heat. I had a large overflow when fermenting and both the heaters got it touch wood they seem ok. TT.

[Bobba]

Either you've got a huge fridge, or you're fermenting in the arctic circle to need two heaters in there!!!
Excellent that's good to know. Would be good to get rid of wires dangling in the beer (temp probe and heater), so I'm told at least! Seems to be working ok for me currently

[loffler]

I use a reptile aquarium heater with a ceramic bulb holder.
Screwfix do the holder and I got te bulb heater from ebay for about £15. Ive got the 60W version but go upto about 150W

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Reptile-Vivarium- ... 5d27fc6c19
.
It heats very fast and has been very reliable. It takes up less room in the fridge, is easier to replace and stronger against knocks.

[howard]

I went down the light bulb route, it works but does get a battering. I intend to replace with a 60W tubular heater.

[gunner]

I am currently at this stage,just sourced a fridge similar to the one's shown.I have an ATC 800,but was wondering whether the tube heater was necessary if you have your ATC hooked to the fridge to control the fridge temp,or do the examples shown have the ATC hooked up to the tube heater.

Could someone clarify this for me please.

Regards Graham.

[EccentricDyslexic]

Can i ask a querstion about the tc10 and atc 800... can you set it so it cools at a certain temp and heats at a different temp, or do they have one or the other on at any one time? ie do they cycle continuously between heat on and cool on without a middle dead zone?

Does that make sence?!

Cheers!

Steve