My new heated FV..Will it work ok?

[neilos]

I've decided to adapt one of my FV's to an insulated/heated one, to try and keep things constant. I just want your views on it and if it will work ok.
For the insulation I have wrapped some 18mm foam sheet around the outside of the FV, with cut-outs for the tap and the handle. This fits really snug and should help to regulate the temp (the room temp. is around 17-19 degrees C)

For the heater I have got a 50W fish tank heater. The lid of the FV has 2 holes, one for my air lock, and the other one has an 18mm bung in with a 3mm hole in the middle for the cable to come through. This should keep the FV airtight, but at the same time it keeps the heater suspended in the middle of the FV. I had to cut the plug off to pass the cable through, so the heater is now semi-permanently fitted to the lid, although I can slide the bucket lid up and down the cable for cleaning/sanitising purposes.

What do you think then??

[Hoodlum]

sounds great - the insulation will save you a few pounds of electricity by not firing up your heater as often, and not many folk would go to the lengths that you have to get an airtight seal. I personally throw my heater in, drape a towel over the FV top and then throw the lid on top, but purely so I know where it is.

[micromaniac]

I've decided to adapt one of my FV's to an insulated/heated one, to try and keep things constant. I just want your views on it and if it will work ok.
For the insulation I have wrapped some 18mm foam sheet around the outside of the FV, with cut-outs for the tap and the handle. This fits really snug and should help to regulate the temp (the room temp. is around 17-19 degrees C)

For the heater I have got a 50W fish tank heater. The lid of the FV has 2 holes, one for my air lock, and the other one has an 18mm bung in with a 3mm hole in the middle for the cable to come through. This should keep the FV airtight, but at the same time it keeps the heater suspended in the middle of the FV. I had to cut the plug off to pass the cable through, so the heater is now semi-permanently fitted to the lid, although I can slide the bucket lid up and down the cable for cleaning/sanitising purposes.

What do you think then??

brill idea .dont forget to turn the heater off about ten mins befor you take brew out

[neilos]

Cheers, I've taken some pics of it, I'll get them up tomorrow. Anyway, If it isn't any good, it's too late, I've just put a Black Pearl in there

[Ditch]

This should keep the FV airtight, but at the same time it keeps the heater suspended in the middle of the FV ..... What do you think then??

Made a lot of work for yeself, faffing about with that plug, mate. I made the same mistake myself, first time round. Just wait till ye trying to wash the crud off that lid, whilst not dinging the damn heater on or against anything. You'll see .....

Anyway, last thing a FV lid needs to be is air tight. And, in five gallons? It'll make jack difference where a 50 Watter hangs. I dump mine over the side, flick the lid in the FV's general direction and walk away to get on with my life. Never had a failure yet.

And I'm not coming down on ye here either. I'm almost O/C in matters like this. I need everything to be Exactly as the book says ~ or used to. Till " Chris + 1 " basically told me to chill out and just try to ensure things were about so. (Sanitisation apart, that is).

I did. Now I, once again, enjoy my beer making. I knock a kit together like I'm making a cup of tea. Then I forget all about it till it's time to transfer it to the keg. One taste tells me it's not vinegar and, from that moment on, I'm back to full on relaxing mode.

Only, I don't need hassles like worrying about my heaters to spoil my mood. I just whip mine out. Lay them on a dry surface, to cool. Rinse them under the tap and then drop them into my bleach solution bucket.

Easy Life!