Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

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raketemensch
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Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by raketemensch »

I’d rather not, but it’s currently -2 outside, maybe 55 in the basement, and I need to start up a fresh ferment.

I would just use an aquarium heater, but I don’t want scorching. I figured I would fill an empty gallon milk jug with water, drop in an aquarium heater, then run the wires out through the cap and seal them up, then wire them into this temp controller i’ve got.

The only thing worry me is sealing up the wires coming through the cap.

Thoughts?
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by Swedish Pride »

I'd think normal aquarium silicone would do the trick.
after all we're talkign about 5-8% abv
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by fizzix »

Watch that stinky vinegar smell while it cures.
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by acfixer69 »

The aquarium heater is going to cycle the temp in the jug. It will not do much for the wash. If you circulate the wash it will help some but you didn't say how large your wash is. I would be more concerned with the expantion and contraction of the jug. Just something to think about.

AC
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by Pikey »

raketemensch wrote:I’d rather not, but it’s currently -2 outside, maybe 55 in the basement, and I need to start up a fresh ferment.

I would just use an aquarium heater, but I don’t want scorching...............
Don't worry about scorching - set your aquarium heater at the temp you want and hang it in the wash.

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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by seamusm53 »

acfixer69 wrote:The aquarium heater is going to cycle the temp in the jug. .... I would be more concerned with the expantion and contraction of the jug. Just something to think about.

AC
Not significant at the temp range of a aquarium heater and if you're still worried leave a little air in the jug. Water expands when frozen but up to boiling temp changes volume very little.
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by acfixer69 »

seamusm53 wrote:
acfixer69 wrote:The aquarium heater is going to cycle the temp in the jug. .... I would be more concerned with the expantion and contraction of the jug. Just something to think about.

AC
Not significant at the temp range of a aquarium heater and if you're still worried leave a little air in the jug. Water expands when frozen but up to boiling temp changes volume very little.
editing my quote changes things
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by acfixer69 »

acfixer69 wrote:The aquarium heater is going to cycle the temp in the jug. It will not do much for the wash. If you circulate the wash it will help some but you didn't say how large your wash is. I would be more concerned with the expantion and contraction of the jug. Just something to think about.

AC
I'm saying It aint goint to work unless it's a small wash

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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by NZChris »

When I was at school the teacher told me that heat rises so, unless you know for sure that he was wrong, do something to make sure that your yeast bed isn't freezing it's nuts off while the top of the fermenter has tropical temperatures.
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by jb-texshine »

Get a fully submersible heater and sink it halfway down and insulate well on top,bottom and sides. Works fine.
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by NZChris »

jb-texshine wrote:Get a fully submersible heater and sink it halfway down and insulate well on top,bottom and sides. Works fine.
That didn't work for me. The time I tried it, the wash below the aquarium element stayed cold until I stirred it. I could tell where the bottom of the element was by running my hand over the fermenter.
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

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build your self a box with a light bulb in it
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by NZChris »

You don't have to build anything if you can find a free broken down refrigerator or freezer that you can fit your fermenter into.
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by Swedish Pride »

jb-texshine wrote:Get a fully submersible heater and sink it halfway down and insulate well on top,bottom and sides. Works fine.
I've used a submerged aquarium heater in an all grain mash and gotten away with it, I also have not gotten away with it and the heater crapped all over my mash, I've since moved on to electric blankets for my mashes, not as quick but not an issue for me.
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by jonnys_spirit »

I just finished up three ferments in my basement - 50-55F ambient. I used US05, K1V1116, and D47. I had heating pads and moving blankets wrapped around the brute's but turned them off since the temp was up into the 80's and I didn't want to stress the yeast into H2S production. I've got several more planned for the winter and am purchasing lager yeast which also prefer a lower temp (in the 50's).

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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by Fraser »

If you're going to need to ferment in cold temps, you could always go for one of these inkbird temp controllers along with a heating element. Whole setup together would cost about $100, but FWIW you wouldn't have to worry about it stalling out in the cold.

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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by rgreen2002 »

I'm still waiting for someone to give this a go:
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by Swedish Pride »

rgreen2002 wrote:I'm still waiting for someone to give this a go:
41xhYf3qdkL.jpg
no to dissimilar to that, some lads got a barrel heating belt, mean to to be the bussiness
something like this https://www.ebay.com/p/Adjustable-Silic ... 2349860487" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by jb-texshine »

Swedish Pride wrote:
rgreen2002 wrote:I'm still waiting for someone to give this a go:
41xhYf3qdkL.jpg
no to dissimilar to that, some lads got a barrel heating belt, mean to to be the bussiness
something like this https://www.ebay.com/p/Adjustable-Silic ... 2349860487" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
But would it work on plastic barrels.
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Re: Are there sealants that are safe to use in a wash?

Post by yakattack »

Jb. Being that it has its a temp controller built in as long as you don't heat past the barrels capacity ( and being that you're simply using it to keep the barrel at fermenting temp you're golden with this.
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