Aquarium Heater Danger

[Powder Monkey]

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I’ve successfully used the thermostatically controlled aquarium tube heaters for my rum ferments and a couple of whiskeys, all fermented in food grade plastic trash bins. I operate in my unheated barn so have been needing these to maintain proper fermentation temps.

I made up a new batch of AG that was a bit thicker than previous batches, set temp and left it for the night. This morning i came out and the barn is filled with smoke, the barrel had burned/melted and the floor has 40 gallons of mash all over. It could have been much worse but I thought I’d share my mistake so hopefully someone else won’t make it.

I think my next rendition is going to be nested trash bins with pex tubing to circulate warmed water and insulate the space with spray foam. This should limit my fire risk.