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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?

I'd think normal aquarium silicone would do the trick.
after all we're talkign about 5-8% abv

Watch that stinky vinegar smell while it cures.

Thanks, I’ve got some en route from Amazon.

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

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.

Sealer

https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from ... e&_sacat=0

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.

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

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

AC

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.

Get a fully submersible heater and sink it halfway down and insulate well on top,bottom and sides. Works fine.

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.

build your self a box with a light bulb in it

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.

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.

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).

Cheers!
-j

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.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ANCB24W/_e ... 5ALV&psc=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0199W72IW/_e ... 5ALV&psc=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I'm still waiting for someone to give this a go:

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

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.

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.

Thanks, dudes. I’m finishing it up today.