Heater belt or fish tank heater

[elwolfio]

I'm thinking of doing a stout this weekend.
I've had mixed results so far with all my kits, nothing outstanding yet. So i''m expermenting with heating now!
My question is i've had a heater belt for xmas, and i'm thinking of doing my brewing in the garage, saving me hastle from the missus. Obviously the temp can fluctuate in the garage, would i better getting a fish tank heater instead. If so what do I ned to go for.
And i know its a daft question. With the fish tank heater i take it you just dangle it in the tank with the lid loose with the lead over the lip? i.e. you dont seal the lid?
If the lids loose wouln't it get infected?

Many thanks

[Ditch]

Just ask the pet shop for a heater with integral thermostat ~ I doubt they even sell otherwise these days ~ suitable for a five gallon tank.

Yes; Just dangle it in the FV and don't bother about the fact that the lid won't close at that point.

Use the 'Brew Belt' to warm the foot of ye bed at night. That's about all it's good for.

[elwolfio]

I will organise procurement of one!

[At. Ailbhe's Brewery]

If you want to keep the FV sealed airtight, fill a tub with water, put the heater in that tub, then sit your FV in the tub of water. Very clean, no need to clean the heater after, and keeps the FV airtight if you like watching the airlock bubble.

[floydmeddler]

I bought this and am just awaiting its arrival:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

Bargain!

[thedeckking]

I bought this and am just awaiting its arrival:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... K:MEWNX:IT

Bargain!

Make sure you test it out in a FV full of water and a thermometer before you use it. Don't want to cook your brew.

[colgilbec]

Thats a cracking price for a tank heater,be interesting to see how it shapes up.

[Yeastman]

If you want to keep the FV sealed airtight, fill a tub with water, put the heater in that tub, then sit your FV in the tub of water. Very clean, no need to clean the heater after, and keeps the FV airtight if you like watching the airlock bubble.

Omg that is genius i love it so simple and obvious not sure if i would have thought of it myself tho. lol

[floydmeddler]

My heater arrived yesterday and I put it in to a fermenter filled with 10-12c water. This morning it was at 20c target. I came in from work and it was still at the 20 mark. have a stuck ferment at the minute with my Bobek Ale so the heater is now in there. Hopefully the heat will kick start it up again!

Yep, so far so good. Glad I bought it.

[badgerdan]

Hi Floyd, is your tank heater still working well? Do you have it inside the FV or outside in a tub of water?
I'm thinking of getting one as it's cold here and keeping the beer at a good 20 area is hard, always drops to about 17 and hangs around there.
Plus, I know the things safe for fish but hard the plastics all ok for sitting in beer, just wondering if it'll give off a taste or burn any yeast that sits directly on it

[batey1963]

My brewing is done in the garage. It can get bloody cold out here. Fish tank eater in the Fv. Brew belt for the secondary stage. Then chilled till ready to sup. Cheers,
Martin.