One large ferment Vs multiple small ferments

[Durhommer]

Screenshot_20201031-074714_Chrome.jpg
I found this n Amazon could I use this by itself or do I still need a controller

I had the seed mat already, I purchased the Inkbird because I read about them on here. You need a submersible temperature probe to drop in the mash. The inkbird aquarium heater controller fits the bill.

So itll work with an aquarium heater good because my wineos wash is sitting at 1060 and it's been on for a week I need to get something to keep my fermenting warm the blankets and insulation aren't enough in my basement

[Deplorable]

Screenshot_20201031-074714_Chrome.jpg
I found this n Amazon could I use this by itself or do I still need a controller

I had the seed mat already, I purchased the Inkbird because I read about them on here. You need a submersible temperature probe to drop in the mash. The inkbird aquarium heater controller fits the bill.

So itll work with an aquarium heater good because my wineos wash is sitting at 1060 and it's been on for a week I need to get something to keep my fermenting warm the blankets and insulation aren't enough in my basement

I use this, and a germination heating mat, wrapping the fermenter in reflectix and blankets as needed depending on how cold the garage gets.

[Durhommer]

I saw that on there I'll be ordering it asap

[NZChris]

If you try an aquarium heater without agitation, run your hand over your fermenter feeling for a cold layer.

Heat rises, so I always heat from below the vessel.

Most of my effort is put into cutting heat loss, rather than heating, so that the amount of heating needed is very small and is often only supplied by the yeast.

[Durhommer]

Would this keep my ferment warm with or without the inkbird

[Durhommer]

Screenshot_20201031-074714_Chrome.jpg
I found this n Amazon could I use this by itself or do I still need a controller

I had the seed mat already, I purchased the Inkbird because I read about them on here. You need a submersible temperature probe to drop in the mash. The inkbird aquarium heater controller fits the bill.

So itll work with an aquarium heater good because my wineos wash is sitting at 1060 and it's been on for a week I need to get something to keep my fermenting warm the blankets and insulation aren't enough in my basement

I use this, and a germination heating mat, wrapping the fermenter in reflectix and blankets as needed depending on how cold the garage gets.Screenshot_20201031-093927_Chrome.jpg

Just ordered the inkbird and the aquarium heater itll be here monday

[Durhommer]

If you try an aquarium heater without agitation, run your hand over your fermenter feeling for a cold layer.

Heat rises, so I always heat from below the vessel.

Most of my effort is put into cutting heat loss, rather than heating, so that the amount of heating needed is very small and is often only supplied by the yeast.

So I ordered the inkbird aquarium heater controller and an aquarium heater should this work ok if I put it in the bottom of the barrel? I'm new to this winter fermenting thing or should I return the aquarium heater and get the seed mat like deplorable does my last house I could ferment in the living room!

[Deplorable]

If you try an aquarium heater without agitation, run your hand over your fermenter feeling for a cold layer.

Heat rises, so I always heat from below the vessel.

Most of my effort is put into cutting heat loss, rather than heating, so that the amount of heating needed is very small and is often only supplied by the yeast.

So I ordered the inkbird aquarium heater controller and an aquarium heater should this work ok if I put it in the bottom of the barrel? I'm new to this winter fermenting thing or should I return the aquarium heater and get the seed mat like deplorable does my last house I could ferment in the living room!

I read enough misfortune on here to decide against heating AG ferments with aquarium heaters. Maybe a sugar wash...
Aside from grains scorching to the heater, the idea of putting a cheap heating element into a liquid makes me nervous. Make sure its plugged in to a GFI outlet.
If your blue drum is what you're heating, get the seed mat and set the drum on it. I tape mine to the side because my brute is on a Brute dolly.

[Durhommer]

I only planned on using it for sugar wash.when I can I'll order the seed mat.....I just ordered it

[Durhommer]

If you try an aquarium heater without agitation, run your hand over your fermenter feeling for a cold layer.

Heat rises, so I always heat from below the vessel.

Most of my effort is put into cutting heat loss, rather than heating, so that the amount of heating needed is very small and is often only supplied by the yeast.

So I ordered the inkbird aquarium heater controller and an aquarium heater should this work ok if I put it in the bottom of the barrel? I'm new to this winter fermenting thing or should I return the aquarium heater and get the seed mat like deplorable does my last house I could ferment in the living room!

I read enough misfortune on here to decide against heating AG ferments with aquarium heaters. Maybe a sugar wash...
Aside from grains scorching to the heater, the idea of putting a cheap heating element into a liquid makes me nervous. Make sure its plugged in to a GFI outlet.
If your blue drum is what you're heating, get the seed mat and set the drum on it. I tape mine to the side because my brute is on a Brute dolly.

So I got the seed mat ordered any certain way I'm supposed to use it I mean I read your suggestions so it's that simple plug the mat into the control set temp put probe in mash

[Deplorable]

Yup. I took a few inches of 14g copper wire, and coiled it around the wire from the top of the probe, to add some weight so it wont float, and stick the suction cup to the lid of my Brute so the probe is suspended in the middle of the mash. I set the temperature for the center of the yeast's happy range, and program hte heater to come on if it drops more than 3 degrees below set value.

Remember that your yeast will make its own heat for the first few days, so what I have learned works for me is to drop the mash to pitching temperature, pitch the yeast and let it get to work. The temp will rise on its own for the first few days, so I dont wrap the fermenter until the temp begins to get close to the SV on the inkbird. Then wrap the fermenter in reflectix and a wool blanket, and put another folded wool blanket on the lid. Once the temp drops enough the heat mat will easily maintain the temp of the mash in my garage. If it gets so ungodly cold that it doesnt, I'll add a 2nd heat mat. I doubt You will need to since your can sit your flat bottom fermenter right on top of the mat. Heat rises, so as long as your heat mat isnt sandwiched between a cold concret floor and the fermenter, you should be good to go. Put an inch or two of wood or foam insulation between the cement and your heat mat. It gets ungodly cold where you are. Not like here.

[Durhommer]

I'm just trying to heat a mash back up to working temp it's up off the ground so I'll do as suggested thanks for the walk thru of your process. Usually I can get thru a wineos wash ferment in a week this one got cold on me we had a snow day and a week of 30s and 40s it started at 1080 and in a week is at 1060 and a temp of 60! Way too cold for bakers yeast

[NZChris]

If I'm in a hurry to get a wash up to temperature, I use a couple of stainless steel 300W aquarium heaters and agitate the wash while I'm doing it. I never leave them in the wash for the ferment.

[Durhommer]

Ok my inkbird control came today my seed mat comes tomorrow

[Durhommer]

If I'm in a hurry to get a wash up to temperature, I use a couple of stainless steel 300W aquarium heaters and agitate the wash while I'm doing it. I never leave them in the wash for the ferment.

Ok once I get it warming up should these yeast come back on or do I need to repitch

[NZChris]

If I'm in a hurry to get a wash up to temperature, I use a couple of stainless steel 300W aquarium heaters and agitate the wash while I'm doing it. I never leave them in the wash for the ferment.

Ok once I get it warming up should these yeast come back on or do I need to repitch

Check your pH.

[Durhommer]

If I'm in a hurry to get a wash up to temperature, I use a couple of stainless steel 300W aquarium heaters and agitate the wash while I'm doing it. I never leave them in the wash for the ferment.

Ok once I get it warming up should these yeast come back on or do I need to repitch

Check your pH.

Ph is 4.8 and in 3 days its went from 1060 to 1050 so it's just cold right?

[Durhommer]

Seed mat and controller both here now time to install

[Durhommer]

All set up and wrapped up now I wait... deplorable how long does this mat take to do work

[Deplorable]

How big is that mat?
Wrap some blankets around that barrel.
You'll likely have a wait, they're good for maintaining temps, but I've never had to raise one from the dead

[Durhommer]

The mat is 10x20" and on 28 gallon I figured I wont get the results I'm hoping for the bakers yeast is at 71.9 degrees so its eating just slow as all get out anyway I figured I'll have to slug this one out and just add more insulation next round so it's not dead just retarded if you will

[The Baker]

Put a couple of bottles (stoppers on) filled with fairly hot water in the ferment?

Geoff

[Durhommer]

Put a couple of bottles (stoppers on) filled with fairly hot water in the ferment?

Geoff

Instinct told me that but I didnt listen been watching this presidential circus on the ol boob tube

[NZChris]

Wrap that barrel up. I’ve got two sleeping bags around mine today.

[Durhommer]

Wrap that barrel up. I’ve got two sleeping bags around mine today.

[NZChris]

That looks much better.

[Deplorable]

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Wrap that barrel up. I’ve got two sleeping bags around mine today.

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Do your children know what their sleeping bags are doing? Hahaha

[NZChris]

My children are old enough to appreciate the numerous types of products that are made in my shed

[Durhommer]

It's maintaining temp ...

[Durhommer]

The temp has risen and the ferment is going strong again