Heat Belts.. - HomeBrewChatter.com Home Brew Forum

LeftyMPfrmDE · 06-29-2009, 01:58 AM

I cannot depend on the nice, warm weather year round, and the delaware winters can be brutal at times. so when the weather gets cold, i'm going to have to use a heat belt for my wort to ferm out. whats the catch? can i leave it plugged in 24/7 or do i have to use it intermittingly? if so, i can wire it to a timer, well because i'm a electrician!

there's no basement where i live, and the only place i have storage is the well inslulated garage. any suggestions? thanks, guys!

PseudoChef · 06-29-2009, 03:26 AM

As far as I know, you can wire a heat pad/belt to a Johnson Controller. Will keep it steady.

zoebisch01 · 07-01-2009, 12:59 PM

I think Evan! uses electric heating pads. It does have some degree of crude control already and is (I believe) cheaper than a brew belt. It's also probably a little better in the sense that the heat is not localized to a thin strip, which creates a 'zone'. That all being said I have used the belt before, works fine for what it is but as you have observed, you take what you get in terms of control.

mr x · 07-01-2009, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PseudoChef

As far as I know, you can wire a heat pad/belt to a Johnson Controller. Will keep it steady.

+1. You can also use a PID controller. Works like a charm.

TipsyDragon · 07-01-2009, 05:48 PM

the brew belt i had recommended not letting it run for more than 7 days straight. so basically i unplugged it every Sunday morning and plugged it back in before bed.

Sesh · 07-03-2009, 01:23 AM

The Fermwraps work well. Especially when coupled with a temperature controller. I use thermowells on my buckets and 5-gallon carboys but on the 1-gallon carboys I just tape the sensor to the outside and put bubblewrap between it and the fermwap. Still works great. Reptile heat elements that the Fermwrap is based on also work well but are more expensive and less flexible.

06-29-2009, 01:58 AM	#1
LeftyMPfrmDE Chain Smoker Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Delaware, USA Posts: 31	Heat Belts.. I cannot depend on the nice, warm weather year round, and the delaware winters can be brutal at times. so when the weather gets cold, i'm going to have to use a heat belt for my wort to ferm out. whats the catch? can i leave it plugged in 24/7 or do i have to use it intermittingly? if so, i can wire it to a timer, well because i'm a electrician! there's no basement where i live, and the only place i have storage is the well inslulated garage. any suggestions? thanks, guys! __________________ 65 Watt Brewing Company. Where Its all done by a well placed light bulb! Brew yield to date 45 gallons. Primary: prewashed for the next batch! Secondary: "Irish mornin' stout" Drinking: "new years pale ale" - english style pale "East coast steam 2.0" - a kick ass steam beer with east coast attitude! Next on Deck: Harpoon IPA tribute "Rusted Scythe" In the works: mexician style light lager "por que cervasa", new castle clone "wilmington auburn ale"

06-29-2009, 03:26 AM	#2
PseudoChef Banana-Olive-Ketchip Pie Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NashVegas, TN/Sometimes Forest Park, IL Posts: 4,498	As far as I know, you can wire a heat pad/belt to a Johnson Controller. Will keep it steady. __________________ "Logic is not a reverend's strong suit." - adrock

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-01-2009, 12:59 PM	#3
zoebisch01 Unscannable Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Happy Valley Posts: 1,718	I think Evan! uses electric heating pads. It does have some degree of crude control already and is (I believe) cheaper than a brew belt. It's also probably a little better in the sense that the heat is not localized to a thin strip, which creates a 'zone'. That all being said I have used the belt before, works fine for what it is but as you have observed, you take what you get in terms of control.

07-01-2009, 05:48 PM	#5
TipsyDragon Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 5	the brew belt i had recommended not letting it run for more than 7 days straight. so basically i unplugged it every Sunday morning and plugged it back in before bed.

07-03-2009, 01:23 AM	#6
Sesh Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 1	The Fermwraps work well. Especially when coupled with a temperature controller. I use thermowells on my buckets and 5-gallon carboys but on the 1-gallon carboys I just tape the sensor to the outside and put bubblewrap between it and the fermwap. Still works great. Reptile heat elements that the Fermwrap is based on also work well but are more expensive and less flexible.