Heating pad for fermenting.

[Paramidget]

Hi guys.
The temps getting colder and fermentation is getting slower. I have a water bed heater which is themostatically controlled which I'm planning to put under my 3 fermentors to raise temp somewhat.

Anyone see any problems with this? Or am I just being a cheap bastard?

Currently brewing Honey lager (Coopers lager)
Coopers Pale

Thanks!

Ian

[Chris]

That should work nicely. Are you going to put the heater directly under, or in a bath of water?

If you have an option, go with the water bath- it gives more even heating.

[Paramidget]

I was planning on placing the brews on a towel and have the heater under that as a buffer. Not sure I would place the heater in a water bath - or am I reading something else in your post?

[Chris]

Ok, I don't actually know the mechanics of a waterbed heater. Does it heat the water directly, or heat a pad that in turn heats the water?

If it heats the water, go the bath. If it's just a pad, go the towel as you said.

[Paramidget]

Generally the heater sits under the matress. Good thing about it though is the controller which should make regulating the heat a breeze!!

[blandy]

Paramidget,

Why not take advantage of the cold weather and brew a lager?

That said, if you're an ale-only sort of person, the heater setup should be fine.

[Paramidget]

Just bought a Coopers Bavarian lager for my next brew. I've got the 'leccy water heater wrapped around a ginger beer now. Fits nice and snug around the fermentor and is keeping it at 24 degrees. Bubbling nicely!!

[blandy]

For later brews, you may want to try brewing at colder temps. Chances are your GB will turn out fine, but IMHO the best temp to brew at is near the bottom (if not slightly lower than) the yeast's reccommended range. It'll take a bit longer, but I've found the end product to be much.

I think this has somethingt to do with yeast eating different sugars and producing different flavours at different temps.

[Paramidget]

Just turned it down to 20 degrees. Bubbling madly!!

[Stekings]

So with the waterbed heater, it is perfectly safe to just put the fermenter on it to heat? Found one in the shed.. probably from the last owners who owned the house.. so might as well put it in good use

[Paramidget]

If you can put a 300kg water bed on top of it and the mattress' are made of plastic then shouldn't be a problem.

With mine it is long enuf to either wrap around a fermentor or put it under 2 fermentors. Works well either way.

I suppose that you probably wouldn't want to fold to harshly it as this may cause the element to short out. Otherwise give it a go - cheap and cheerful

[Paramidget]

As a safety precaution - place a plastic barrier between heater and fermentor in case of spillage ( god forbid wasting beeeeer ) Not sure how water proof these heaters are!