Brew belt. Not much use?

by **lejomr** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 3:38 pm

Has anyone had success with one of these?
I can\'t regulate the temperature with it. The belt is now at the very top of the wash (25 litre mark) but the wash is at least 26c; not surprisingly fermentation has stopped. I have turned it off wind hope that fermentation will start again.
However so far I\'d have to say the belt isn\'t much use. Should I consider anyway mat instead?
Any ideas?

by **Phantom** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 9:35 pm

I don\'t use mine often, but it gets to a similar set of numbers, never had any problem with it though..... The ferments always finished Ok....

by **lejomr** » Sun Dec 05, 2010 11:55 pm

Thanks Phantom. I will check the sg tomorrow night but it appears the ferment has stopped after only 5 days. Makes me wonder if it has stuck or even died.

by **hic52** » Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:28 am

I use a heat mat which seems to work with no problems have had it for 3 years

by **sharmead** » Thu Dec 09, 2010 10:05 pm

I use the method I\'ve used for Home brew for years. The fermenter is standing in a plastic dustbin filled with water to the level of the Mash. Temperature of water in bin is maintained at 20 with a 300watt Fish Tank Heater. This has coped with the current cold spell & I\'ve never had any problems in summer either.

by **lejomr** » Sun Dec 12, 2010 12:30 am

Thanks Sharmead. Might give that a go! Cheers.

by **Frank** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 4:46 pm

Hey lejomr

(perhaps easy to do as an Austrailan (?)) I\'ve used a 30w heat pad for about 5 years with beer(though \'our winter\' in Subtropical Aus isnt the same of course) where supplied yeasts like 20-25 degrees C and its ALWAYS been of benefit. My father-in-law uses a belt and he\'s often complaining (similar \'outside\' temps involved). So....if its not going to be a 300w fishtank heater perhaps a 30w pad AND a fermenter wrapped in the same stuff you would use for a camping mattress underlay (wrapped immediately after the wash has \'max temped\') will do?? Of couse your fermenter needs a micro-climate too.

by **freelancement** » Thu Mar 31, 2011 5:01 pm

The belts arent the best I have discovered, they lost alot of heat, they burn out, trip the fuses, and get hot spots deforming the fermenters .....
leason learnt I now use the 25W heating panels with polystyrene between the floor and the pad. It heats from the bottom at an even temp, creating convection currents (remember that experiment you had to do in year 7 with boiling tea leaves?). It had a 3 year warranty and i have had it for 7 years, not sure if you have access to them but they are a new zealand brand. looks a little out dated in art work but its good at what it does, heating panel from my local HBS
if you do get a belt, make sure its a good quality one, I use to put mine 1/3 up the fermenter.