Adjusting Brew Belt Temp

[QuiQuog]

I pitched the yeast in my WE Eclipse Lodi Old Vines Zin last night. The temp at start was 76f and the house is about 65f. I put the brew belt on near the top as high as it could go so as not to over heat. I also set it cockeyed, one side higher than the other, so that it didn't sit flat on the bucket in some places, thinking that it would reduce the amount of heat transfer. I didn't want it to overheat and cause off flavors. In the morning it was about 72f, which I think should be about right.

Anyway, the point of all this is to ask a question. Are there any rules of thumb to setting the belt to attain a certain temp increase, like maybe setting it on the bottom raises it 10f and setting it at midpoint raises it 5f? What techniques are there to adjusting the belt to achieve small changes, or maximum changes. What are your tricks?

 

[olusteebus]

Get you one of these. They work great.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BMLCGF8/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

If it the wine is in the ferment bucket, put the sensor in the wine, if in a carboy, tape the sensor to the side. don't put the sensor under the belt. You want to monitor the temp of the wine, not where the belt is.

 

[Boatboy24]

For a specific temp, no. But as you've done, the higher placement will have less of an impact then placing it lower on the vessel. If you want to dial in a temp or range, you'll need some kind of controller.

With your ambient temps, you may not need the brew belt until secondary. 65 isn't too bad, especially if your must is starting at 76. Fermentation alone will raise the temp.

 

[QuiQuog]

Is that a thermostat, or a thermometer, or both? Do you wire the brew belt power to it so it cycles it on and off according to the temp setting?

 

[QuiQuog]

For a specific temp, no. But as you've done, the higher placement will have less of an impact then placing it lower on the vessel. If you want to dial in a temp or range, you'll need some kind of controller.

With your ambient temps, you may not need the brew belt until secondary. 65 isn't too bad, especially if your must is starting at 76. Fermentation alone will raise the temp.

How many degrees does fermenting typically raise the temp? Are you saying I may not need additional heat until secondary because the fermentation has slowed down enough that it doesn't raise the temp significantly?

 

[sour_grapes]

Is that a thermostat, or a thermometer, or both? Do you wire the brew belt power to it so it cycles it on and off according to the temp setting?

It is both. It measures the temperature, then, as you suggest, cycles the power so as to (try to) maintain the temperature you ask for. Just like the thermostat in your home.

 

[ibglowin]

Cool little gizmo!

 

[olusteebus]

Is that a thermostat, or a thermometer, or both? Do you wire the brew belt power to it so it cycles it on and off according to the temp setting?

Thermostat. YOu set it to what degrees you want (in celsius) and when the wine gets below that temp, it will open a circuit for the belt. I use an aquarium heater when I do primary.

If you get one and you are not sure of the wiring, let me know.

 

[QuiQuog]

Thermostat. YOu set it to what degrees you want (in celsius) and when the wine gets below that temp, it will open a circuit for the belt. I use an aquarium heater when I do primary.

If you get one and you are not sure of the wiring, let me know.

I'm not sure I follow. You use an aquarium heater in the primary? Where do you use this gizmo?

I like the idea of an aquarium heater. It's all built and no wiring required. But either way, how do you run the wires into your bucket? Could you run them into a carboy also?

 

[Boatboy24]

How many degrees does fermenting typically raise the temp? Are you saying I may not need additional heat until secondary because the fermentation has slowed down enough that it doesn't raise the temp significantly?

Hard to say - it'll vary with every batch, based on size, yeast used, and other factors. In short: it depends.

Yes, once the fermentation kicks off and is moving, it will probably hold a temp of 70 or higher, even with ambient temps of 65. In secondary, the fermentation won't be as active and it may need a little help. But 65 is certainly an acceptable temp.

 

[olusteebus]

I'm not sure I follow. You use an aquarium heater in the primary? Where do you use this gizmo?

I like the idea of an aquarium heater. It's all built and no wiring required. But either way, how do you run the wires into your bucket? Could you run them into a carboy also?

I had been putting the primary in a vessel with water and I would heat that water with an aquarium heater. I was having some trouble regulating that so I hooked up the device and put the sensor in the primary, along with a heater. I keep them apart so I am measuring the must, not close to the heater. I would not try to put the sensor in the carboy. If I wanted to keep the carboy warm, I would use a belt and tape the sensor to the side of the carboy. I think that would work well.