Home Distiller

Hi,

I'm doing my first large ferment in a plastic 20 gal drum. I have done a 1 gal, and 5 gal before but those were done at room temps. The distillers yeast I am using now requires 30-35C.

My question is, what ways are there to maintain this temperature?

I have everything else operational except for a heated fermenter.

Thanks

do a search for mash temperature control... this will return many results containing ideas ranging from insulating the containers all the way down to light bulb heaters, heating pads, and even fish tank submersible heaters...

in the end there is more then one way to skin a cat

and since the yeast tend to do some warming of their own many of the ways are just to aid rather then fix a problem.

The best method is to use a small room that you can temp control with a thermostat. An exhaust fan helps keep smell and bugs out. Using blankets, bulbs, aquarium heaters etc is always difficult if ambient temps fluxuate much. Consistent temps work well.

I just bought Water Pipe Heat Cable wrap it around fermenter and put some thermoinsulation on top of it (made from floor mats).
That cable includes a simple thermostat. I removed it and use a PID like this http://www.aliexpress.com/item/RKC-Digi ... 55543.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow to control a temperature.

Aquarium heaters are fairly cheap. Mine will keep my 10 gal fermenter at 77 deg F. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tetra-Heater- ... s/10291809 This one should be perfect for you.

The distillers yeast I am using now requires 30-35C.

35 is high. I have never seen one with that recommendation for fermentation temperature before; can you post a link or the supplier of this yeast, please?

I have a 3' X 8' - 8' tall insulated fermenting room, Quick & cheap to build, heat it with a
1300 watt milk barn heater.

Works like a champ, when the ferment is done unplug the heater and let settle
rack it off, and run it.

Friend of mine uses the same thing except build of free standing foam board 4' x 8' 4' tall
3 sheets of foam board = $ 26 bucks, milk barn heater 16 bucks

Coyote

I have a 2 x 4 x 4 foam board box that is disassembled and stored down in the barn that I used to use... Also have one in the pool building that is just big enough for a single carboy that uses a thermostat and shielded light bulb for heat... The pool building never goes below 50F... There is also a heated room in the barn that can be used... But most of my recent ferments have been done right in the kitchen... I have options...

Aquarium heaters work good. Simple, and easy. I set one up in an old frige for insulation. Kept it warm in 0F temps.