heating a fermentation fridge

[atomicpunk]

Does a light bulb cause light damage to the beer?

I wonder in a fermwrap is meant to be run constantly or if that will kill it.

I like that light bulb idea, just don't want to skunk my beer!

[Travisty]

I use something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Repti-Infrared-Spot-Bulb-ZNIHL-2/dp/B000RI8K2U


I've used it for almost a year now. I haven't had skunking problems even with a pliny clone. I believe the IR light is outside the wavelength range that cause skunking. I found mine at a local PetSmart or PetCo in the reptile section.

[animaldoc]

I believe the IR light is outside the wavelength range that cause skunking

Yep, sounds right -- IR is extremely long wavelength light compared with the extremely short UV light, both outside opposite ends of the visible light range.

[Bugeater]

Just yesterday I had to switch to winter mode for my fermentation fridge. I went to check on my barleywine and realize that I was trying to ferment at 63°, the same as ambient temperature of my basement. I dug out my old reptile heater and stuck it in the bottom of the fridge. This thing is a ceramic heater that looks like a flat rock (perfect for lounging lizards). No light, just heat.



I stuck the heater below the wooden shelf you see there and the fridge is now maintaining fermentation right at 67° for both the BW and the cider I did last night.

Wayne

[CrazyP]

Speaking of reptile bulbs, you can also get FlexWatt heat tape 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'll probably save some money too although FermWrap is pretty cheap and by buying it you're supporting the homebrew industry. You need to solder or clip electrical leads to the FlexWatt so go with a couple FermWraps if that makes you uncomfortable.

I considered using a heating pad like some people, but stopped short after Googling for "heating pad fire"... Those pads really aren't designed for continuous use and are unsafe in this application, IMHO.

[Whitebeard_Brewer]

Using a Fermwrap myself, my garage was in the low 50's last week, and the Fermwrap kept my beer at 66F with no issues.

[Moby]

I use a seedling heating mat. It's uses very little power, and most importantly, it's water proof. I purchased mine from the local ACE Hardware. I hooked it up to my 2-stage Ranco, and I've never had a problem maintaining temps.

One similar to this:
http://www.burpee.com/seed-starting/hea ... catId=2208

[grainman]

I use a hairdryer velcro`d to the inside of my freezer hooked up to a ranco 2 stage....It has a built in gfi on the cord and it circulates the air too.Price aint too bad either.