aquarium heater

[hoppinmad]

hi jimmy, i bought this one, works a treat http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/300-W-Submersible ... 45f2731e2c
also got this http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/hand-driven-wheat ... 0905683804 should be ok for making cracked corn, havent tried it yet tho, will keep you posted,
cheers, hoppin

[swill]

Hi guys, sorry to resurrect an old topic but had to make a suggestion.
I use an immersion (fish-tank) heater to ferment beer at 21C. ($15 AUD)I put several inches of H2O in the laundry trough, but any basin should do, put the fermenter in that. Attach the heater to the inside of the basin somehow making sure the unit cannot slip under water. (My model heater can only be 2/3 immersed). Heating the water around the fermenter will ensure an even and constant heat and less chance of infecting the wort.

[freelancement]

swill thats a much better way of going about it, heat transfer
the issue with internal elements in addition to you possible infection, you also scorch the yeast if you put the element inside the feremnter as it creates hot spots and the convection currents make sure that the whole volume is damaged as the volume circulates. external constant low distributed heat is the way to go.
i use the 25w heating panels which is lifted off the ground insulated with carpet under it, its constant heat instead of the wrap around bands (had one burn out on me and burn the plastic, in addition it lost alot of heat to the atmosphere)

operational costs ($0.14kwh x 0.025w x 24hr = 8c a day) - altho the unit cost me AU$62.50 it has a 3 year warranty and is waterproof

[hoppinmad]

the issue with internal elements in addition to you possible infection, you also scorch the yeast if you put the element inside the feremnter as it creates hot spots and the convection currents make sure that the whole volume is damaged as the volume circulates.

hi freelancement,
sorry but i dont agree with any of that, ive been using my aquarium heater in both beer and sugar washes regularly for some time now and have had brilliant results. the fact that you can set it to exactly the correct temp for the yeast you are using means ,IMO, that the wash ferments dry every time. as for \'possible infection\' that should be eliminated by thorough sterilisation, (in addition i drilled the lid of my fermenter and hot glued the cable in the hole to ensure an airtight fit) no hot spots either as the fermenting wash is in perpetual motion as im sure you\'re aware.
cheers, hoppin