keeping mash warm

[moons]

So i stumbled across an idea what if i put a fish tank heating element in a batch of mash since I only have room in a cold basement. What do you guys think?

[Steep-n-Rocky]

Hello Moons. You have several options and a heating element is one of them. How cold is the basement? You might try insulating the fermenter first before getting an fish tanker heater. I am always surprised how much heat fermenting mash retains when insulated.

[Prairiepiss]

There are many around that use them. And plenty of other ideas around too. Blankets work pretty good too.

[Oxbo Rene]

I've got my (2) 6 gal washes in a tub of water with fish tank heater in it = constant 80 degrees, even through some pretty cold nights (they're out on back porch) .........
Also put quilt over em ......

[blind drunk]

If you pitch your yeast in the 90s and then wrap the container in a bunch of blankets, it should stay warm enough until it's done, provided the abv is on the lower end of the scale and the fermentation is vigorous ...

Failing that, I use a heating pad placed on my insulated floor ...

Forgot to mention, provided the yeast can handle the heat ...

[moons]

ok thanks guy i just thought of a fish tank heater because i have one i wanted to put it in a 5 gallon purified water jug the blue see through kind but i like the insulation idea almost better than the heating element. and the basement i would guess is about 50-60 degrees.

[astronomical]

I'm a fan of brew belts. They really work well in my 66F room. About the same price as aquarium heater and much more versatile.

[Ghost]

10.00 heating pad wrapped around the bucket with a blanket - I keep my house a constant 68 degrees. never failed me yet!

[Rachiu]

Put a 20-40W light bulb under the fermenter and cover it with blankets as in my picture

[moons]

thanks guys i think im just going to try the insulation method for now

[presb4]

I have a batch fermenting in my mud room right now. The room is normally around 45 to 50F this time of year. So I have an old pickup truck tool box that my 10 gallon fermenting cooler fits in nicely and I place it and a small 750watt electric heater in the old tool box. The heater has a thermostat on it that I set to 75F, then I close the lid on the tool box and put an old blanket over the tool box. I seems to work great cuz my mash is always around the 75F mark.