Heating ferment environment

[olusteebus]

I often see questions regarding heating the environment for ferment. There are several things you can do but for me, a tub of water with aquarium heaters work very well.

My Cellar is probably 55 degrees or cooler right now. I had a tub with water that I put two ferment buckets with wine in them and the must temperature was only 66 to 68 degrees F. I just cranked up the aquarium heaters and soon it was at around 75 degrees. Then we had the single digit weather and now it is at 70 degrees. The ferment is going well.

I have a blue plastic packing tub I got from Lowes and it holds two buckets. I have two adjustable aquarium heaters and an aquarium pump to move the water around.

This system works very well for me and allows me to make fine adjustments with fairly quick response. Just thought I would share.

 

[franki1926]

i have been wanting to make some batches over the winter but i am worried about starting a fire. Do you feel it's state ?

 

[olusteebus]

I have been using it a couple of years. I hope that aquarium heaters are safe as they are built to run all the time. They don't really get that hot. They are set to heat the water to about 75 degrees. They only get a little warm to the touch.

 

[salcoco]

your system would work well for a cool ferment of white wines. just add frozen water bottles every 12 hours. obviously it would have to be summer.

 

[Steve_M]

I litterally just started a RJS CC Amarone! Basement temps are in upper 50's, this is my first kit wine following what I have read from others here I put the aquarium heater in the primary. Temp of must at the moment is around 62F.
I set the heater to 68-70, will check in a few hours when temp gets to 70 I will add yeast.

I have a tub that my 20 gal white brute fits snugly, wanted to warm water around my primary, but with it being just a wee bit tight went with the scenario above.
I will revert to this method once I rack at end of the week to keep carboy around 70F for the clearing, degassing stage.

I will post about my kit once I have S.G.

Thanks,

Steve