priming temp solutions

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Rick_UK

priming temp solutions

Post by Rick_UK » Fri May 02, 2014 11:02 pm

Hi chaps

Just wondering if anyone has any ingenious solutions for maintaining fermentation temps in garages and sheds for priming bottles and kegs?

I use an aquarium heater to good effect for controling fermentation temps but usually end up bringing kegs and bottles into the house for priming - which is less than ideal given limited space and young childrens curiousity!

I've wondered about some sort of water bath using the aquarium heater or some sort of low energy heated cupboard or insulated box. Maybe something involving cheap insulation and a low wattage light bulb??

Any advice appreciated!

Rick

Fil
Telling imaginary friend stories
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Joined: Sun Oct 16, 2011 1:49 pm
Location: Cowley, Oxford

Re: priming temp solutions

Post by Fil » Sat May 03, 2014 2:41 am

what are the garage temps? for 9 months a year im sure u could just stack and cover with a blanket to keep off any draughts and light, i dont bottle much these days but over winter a week or so in the house could save a lot of work n effort.

a simple heat source for an insulated box if u have an electricity supply would be an incandescent light bulb inside a vented opaque container like an upturned clay flowerpot or a cleaned out paint tin, and basic power control via a simple dimmer switch..

Rick_UK

Re: priming temp solutions

Post by Rick_UK » Mon May 05, 2014 7:42 pm

Thanks Fill might give that a try. Do you think a large plastic bin with enough water to come about 8 inches up once the bottles are stacked in then put aquarium heater in would work? Many of the bottles would not be in contact with the water this way but I assume if I covered it with insulation the whole bin would be warm enough?

Another option I have considered would be to insulate the storage cupboard and put a light in there which could be left on for priming and turned off for conditioning?

Rick

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