Warming fermenter options

[Jensen]

Hey Tuck, you were talking about getting a warming pad to keep your fermenter warm. Have you found one yet? If so, what kind, and what type of results are you getting?

[Blktre]

I use a $10 wet/dry from Target. Its lasted over 3yrs so far. I do put a temp controller on it tho.

[Jensen]

Are you using a Ranco with a thermowell, Andy?

[Tuck]

Well after just 2 hours with a king sized heating pad wrapped on the carboy and on med heat (pad has a 2 hour timer) temp has raised almost 8 degrees, from 56 to 64, and fermentation has increased. going to keep an eye on it and keep posted

[Blktre]

Are you using a Ranco with a thermowell, Andy?

I do, but you could always tape the sensor to the fermentor side using a small piece of foam insulation.

I prefer using the Ranco not only because of tighter control, but the there is a reason the heat pad Tuck is using shuts off after a few hours.

[kwgodwin]

I'm interested...what's a "$10 wet/dry"?

I have my eye on the Calorique heater, but the price is a bit steeper. Still requires a temp control. I like that it wraps around the fermenter and is not a light source. It's more like a flexible rear-window defroster. What few reviews I can find on the mfgr are good.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/default/e ... eater.html

Ken
Dull-Knife-in-the-Drawer

[Blktre]

I'm interested...what's a "$10 wet/dry"?

I have my eye on the Calorique heater, but the price is a bit steeper. Still requires a temp control. I like that it wraps around the fermenter and is not a light source. It's more like a flexible rear-window defroster. What few reviews I can find on the mfgr are good.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/default/e ... eater.html

Ken
Dull-Knife-in-the-Drawer

A wet/dry is basically a water proof (to an extent) heating pad. It is not big enough to go around the entire fermentor. With that said, i believe in the theory that when one side of the fermentor is heated it creates thermal movement inside the fermentor as the wort is attracted to the warmer side. To me this is a more natural way of heating. And it was only $10 at Target.

[kwgodwin]

Hmmm.....Convection is a good thing. 10 bucks is better than 30.

It's on my list...thanks for the tip Andy!

[Jensen]

Use the money you'll save Dull Knife, and by a Ranco or Love controller!

[Jensen]

BTW Tuck, how is the temp control on your set up working now that its been a few days?

[kwgodwin]

Use the money you'll save Dull Knife, and by a Ranco or Love controller!

I've considered the Love controller, but first I'll see if my Honeywell T775A still works. Overkill perhaps, but could save even more $$.

[Tuck]

so far it has worked well, keeping beer at 68-72 depending on how much I check to auto off and turn it on, I have been happy with the results so far

[Blktre]

I own 4 Loves. I like them alot. 10x more settings than the Digital Ranco's and Johnson's. I like my Ranco's alot as well. Id consider selling a NIB Love.