Other Water bath for temperature control

[AZMDTed]

Hi,
My first post here. I searched but didn't find this covered so apologies in advance if it has been.
The last couple weeks have been a little chilly here and my local store suggested that I use a water bath to keep my primary and secondary fermentation vessels at a good, steady temperature. It makes sense to me. The set up is basically a tub that gives you enough water to surround the bucket or carboy with water up to about 6-8 inches and an adjustable aquarium heater to keep the temperature steady. The one they had has a separate LED read out and adjustment which made it nice as well as a temperature sensor on about a 20 inch cable that you attached to far side of the bucket. Plus a crystal strip thermometer on the bucket as a double check.
This seems like a lot better way to keep producing than using house heat in the winter, and a lot easier than making a heated box or something like that.
Any experiences with water baths for keeping up the temperature in winter?

Thanks, and what a great knowledge and sharing source this is, I'm glad I found it.

Ted

 

[ibglowin]

Why not just use a brew belt? I am fermenting a batch in my winery which is around 58 degrees this time of year.a brew belt and a large beach towel to wrap around the primary or secondary (for added insulation) works very well.

 

[olusteebus]

I use a water bath with aquarium heaters ( i use 2 when I have 2 ferment buckets in a large tub). I also use this to control the heaters.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KVCPH2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I drop the probe in the must and when the temperature goes too low, the device will make an electrical connection to the heaters. I like this pretty well.

You could use a belt but I would use the external thermostat to control it also.

 

[AZMDTed]

Why not just use a brew belt? I am fermenting a batch in my winery which is around 58 degrees this time of year.a brew belt and a large beach towel to wrap around the primary or secondary (for added insulation) works very well.

Thanks Mike,
My carboys are glass and I understand the belt is only for plastic. I also like the Idea of being able to regulate the heat more precisely. But I will think about it.

Ted

 

[AZMDTed]

I use a water bath with aquarium heaters ( i use 2 when I have 2 ferment buckets in a large tub). I also use this to control the heaters.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008KVCPH2/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I drop the probe in the must and when the temperature goes too low, the device will make an electrical connection to the heaters. I like this pretty well.

You could use a belt but I would use the external thermostat to control it also.

What a great price for that. I didn't realize you could get a controller that cheap.

 

[vacuumpumpman]

Why not just put the aquarium heaters in your primary fermenters ?
This is what I do - until it is going strong and at that time it builds its own heat.

 

[ibglowin]

No, you can use them on glass, no problems. Just use common sense, you wouldn't want to put a belt on a glass carboy that was just brought in from sub zero temps etc. If you want precise temp control then the thermostat of sorts is the way to go.

Thanks Mike,
My carboys are glass and I understand the belt is only for plastic. I also like the Idea of being able to regulate the heat more precisely. But I will think about it.

Ted

 

[jumby]

Why not just put the aquarium heaters in your primary fermenters ?
This is what I do - until it is going strong and at that time it builds its own heat.

That's what I do. I drop the aquarium heater directly in the must until primary fermentation is done. It keeps the must at a constant 76 degrees.

 

[firstime]

Well I use a large plant container with a $20 fish tank heater and it works like a charm. The heater is in the water not the must.

 

[brottman]

Doesn't a brew belt only help keep the fermentation warmer? How are all of you keeping them cool enough? My house is around 69-70 and my ferments get up into the high 70s. I need a way to cool it down!

 

[olusteebus]

A water bath with frozen water bottles can keep it cool. You kinda have to watch it so as to not get too cool.

 

[seth8530]

I don't tend to have issues with my fermentations not getting warm enough. Infact, unless you are making a red wine with grape skins, I can not think of too many times when it is actually in your favor to try and get a fermentation really warm.

 

[GaDawg]

A water bath with a t shirt around the fermenter can help by wicking the water up the side of the fermenter.

 

[GaDawg]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008EKD7CQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[brottman]

Thanks. Is that the kind that of device everyone here is using to keep them cool?

 

[seth8530]

Nope,

I use a deepfreezer rigged up with a temperature controller and probe in my must.