Ferm wrap or other cheap ferm temp control

[CrazyP]

A cheaper alternative to FermWrap is FlexWatt heat tape sold at many pet stores or reptile supply shops. It's the exact same stuff as FermWrap, except it comes in rolls and you can cut it to any length you want (about $5 per foot). It's rated for 20W/ft so if you think you need more wattage than what FermWrap can provide (40W), you can go with that option. You need to solder or clip electrical leads to the FlexWatt so go with a couple FermWraps if that makes you uncomfortable.

[sharkguy05]

So are you using plastic or glass carboy's with the flexwatt? Can it be used on a better bottle or a bucket?

[CrazyP]

So are you using plastic or glass carboy's with the flexwatt? Can it be used on a better bottle or a bucket?

I have one of each, and the FlexWatt/Fermwrap works with all of them. Both the Better Bottle and my glass carboy have ridges on them that prevent really good surface to surface contact, so I wrap a towel around the whole setup to keep it insulated. It provides 40W of heat over a 2 sq. ft. area, so that theoretically provides a 20 degree temperature differential relative to ambient for 5 gallons of beer. Practically, it's more like 10-15 degrees.

[sharkguy05]

The flexwatt tape worked awesome. I got 3 ft and wrapped it around my carboy with a towel. Kept it at a constant 65-66 deg F, even when it was like 40 in my garage. Although for like the first few hrs I couldnt figure out why the temp was goin up and it fermented like crazy b/c I forgot to change my temp control from cool to heat, all in all it worked aewsome and only cost 13$ with clips and insulators. Check out http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-heat-tape/ real cheap there

[jimlin]

The flexwatt tape worked awesome. I got 3 ft and wrapped it around my carboy with a towel. Kept it at a constant 65-66 deg F, even when it was like 40 in my garage. Although for like the first few hrs I couldnt figure out why the temp was goin up and it fermented like crazy b/c I forgot to change my temp control from cool to heat, all in all it worked aewsome and only cost 13$ with clips and insulators. Check out http://www.reptilebasics.com/flexwatt-heat-tape/ real cheap there

Sharkguy,
How's the flextape system holding up? Hitting the winter months in New England and need to get a temp control system in place. I don't really have any issues keeping my buckets cool enough in the warm months as we have central AC and the basement is always a good deal cooler than the rest of the house. But, in the winter, the warmest we keep it is 67, and a few degrees cooler overnight. I use a bucket for primary and have a 6 gal carboy for secondary.

After looking at your link, I assume you got the 11" tape? Need to get myself a controller, and hate to drop $100 on one, but it looks like that's one thing I may be wise to spend then $$ on.

[sharkguy05]

Flextape is doin great! You best buy a ranco temp controller for about 40$ off of ebay. Get dual stage if u can that way u can control 2 different items.

[jimlin]

Flextape is doin great! You best buy a ranco temp controller for about 40$ off of ebay. Get dual stage if u can that way u can control 2 different items.

So I should stay away from the cheaper Zilla thermostat/controller? I really only need to temp control one thing at a time. And I don't have a fridge to use for fermenting, so dual stage seems unnecessary

[Whitebeard_Brewer]

Flextape is doin great! You best buy a ranco temp controller for about 40$ off of ebay. Get dual stage if u can that way u can control 2 different items.

So I should stay away from the cheaper Zilla thermostat/controller? I really only need to temp control one thing at a time. And I don't have a fridge to use for fermenting, so dual stage seems unnecessary

Unnecessary.....for now....always plan for expansion....for the few extra $$$'s you will spend for the dual, I say get it now!!!