StillSmart

Are aquarium heaters safe to use and worth it ? I know there not that expensive and keeps everything nice and same temp, question is more if it's safe and do people use the,, thanks

Lots of us have used them in the past, but in my opinion external heaters such as pads, belts etc. are better.

100% What Vino said. Pads and perhaps a jacket / fleece cover

Not too sure how true it is but read on a forum a few years ago that the belts were too hot, especially on demijohns.

Never used one myself but do use one of the two aquarium heaters I have. Also got one of the Electrim 75 immersion heaters which I occasionally use as well. Picked up two brand new for a tenner secondhand a couple of years ago.

Never had a problem with any of them and always check with a stick thermometer to make sure that are working ok and at the correct temperature. For how old all three are they are all very accurate.

I use aquarium heaters only, as my brew heat source.
One or two have died in service over the years.
I keep a bunch of backups, as to me they are are so simple and inexpensive.
For most of the ferment the Yeasties provide their own heat anyway.

Robert.

I do check them all for actual temp. against stated temp. in a jug of water.
And label accordingly.

After problems with other heaters I converted to this type, and now wouldn't use anything else.

I put the heater in the wash while it is still warm and leave it in the wash to cool down before removing it at the end of the run, this reduces stress on the element.

Ahh ok so both depending who you ask, but by the sounds of it everyone would recommend at least one or other I stead of neither ? I'm fine with demijohns but when you have a few 25l buckets it's hard to keep somewhere warm, thanks

Unless you are living in the Tropics, some form of heat will help reduce your ferment times.
How you choose to keep your babies warm is your choice.

Robert.

Easydrinker wrote:Unless you are living in the Tropics.........

Robert.

Which brings a whole heap of new problems. There are numerous solutions tho'....

Easydrinker wrote:... some form of heat will help reduce your ferment times.
....

Robert.

And improve the product

And some form of cooling will further reduce the workload.
Freeze strpping, for those with the ability/capacity should work well.
There are indeed many ways to skin this particular rabbit.
Experimentation......
Become lazy, like me and several others here, and find someting that works.
Or constantly strive for quicker, cheaper, faster.
We are all correct. Because we are all content.

Here endeth the sermon for today.

Robert.

What temperature is a favourite?

I use almost excusively Allinson's bread yeast.
They seem to be happiest at 30°C.
At least in my brew room.

Robert.

Easydrinker wrote:I use almost excusively Allinson's bread yeast.
They seem to be happiest at 30°C.
At least in my brew room.

Robert.

Thankyou Sir. I have been brewing at 21 and will increase on that.

From the depths of memory I recall temps of 21C in the days that I nursed beers and wines.
These days I only make harder stuff.
30C works for me, I hope it does for you.

Robert.