Aquarium heater?

Production methods from starch to sugars.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
IDPotatohead
Novice
Posts: 77
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:14 pm

Aquarium heater?

Post by IDPotatohead »

I bought one off of Amazon after reading about using them to heat washes on here. Then I started worrying about how it heats. Won’t it be super hot around the element possibly killing yeast, and much colder towards the outer edges causing slow ferments? Or am I over thinking it?
User avatar
Durhommer
Distiller
Posts: 2399
Joined: Tue Mar 12, 2019 11:23 am

Re: Aquarium heater?

Post by Durhommer »

Only use to heat up I was told then remove
You have two ears and one mouth for a reason....
User avatar
bluedog
Novice
Posts: 68
Joined: Tue May 08, 2018 1:30 pm

Re: Aquarium heater?

Post by bluedog »

They get pretty hot, but they probably dont cycle on a ton, and submerged in an active ferment thats moving around a bit i really doubt it would ever be a problem.
stillanoob
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 736
Joined: Tue Aug 27, 2019 7:15 am

Re: Aquarium heater?

Post by stillanoob »

Hasn't bothered my yeast. I've had quick, no problem ferments with mine.
IDPotatohead
Novice
Posts: 77
Joined: Thu Oct 01, 2020 2:14 pm

Re: Aquarium heater?

Post by IDPotatohead »

Thanks guys. I won’t worry about it
User avatar
NZChris
Master of Distillation
Posts: 13062
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:42 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Aquarium heater?

Post by NZChris »

Heat rises, so run your hand over the fermenter to make sure the bottom is being heated.
Setsumi
Distiller
Posts: 1371
Joined: Tue Sep 07, 2010 10:23 pm
Location: Central South Africa

Re: Aquarium heater?

Post by Setsumi »

there will be a lot of movement in your ferment to ensure displacement of heat throughout. as the ferment begins to finish turn it down and off.
My first flute
My press
My twins
My controller
My wife tells me I fell from heaven covered in white. Why did they let me fall?
User avatar
Grappa-Gringo
Swill Maker
Posts: 442
Joined: Tue Dec 04, 2012 12:44 pm
Location: North of 49th/PNW

Re: Aquarium heater?

Post by Grappa-Gringo »

I've used them in the past and still do-- the temperature gauge is flexible and you can adjust to what ever temp you need. To keep things moving I always give it a good stir.... usually done in 4-5 days... take them out of the fermenter prior to mixing, as they are fragile...
They say, "you are what you eat"... Then I'm fast, easy and cheap!
CopperFiend
Swill Maker
Posts: 291
Joined: Sat Oct 03, 2020 8:19 am

Re: Aquarium heater?

Post by CopperFiend »

Used one and never had any issues.
User avatar
Demy
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3084
Joined: Fri Sep 04, 2020 1:45 pm

Re: Aquarium heater?

Post by Demy »

I've used them for other purposes, I've never thought about fermentation. I usually use a heating band or ... nothing.
Post Reply