Heating for fermentation fridge

[Greg Tarr]

I made a STC-1000 controlled ferm fridge earlier in the year, but there was a paucity of NZ-centric info for the heating side. I couldn't find the "$10 tube heater" some US sites suggested (Bunnings has something similar for $100).

Some suggestions I had were for a lightbulb in a tin, or a hair drier - but I wasn't sure about putting either of these in a constantly slightly damp environment.

I found a completely waterproof, silicone heating cable on TradeMe from Australia, rated at 100W. I've had it for the last week, and the ferm fridge has been the warmest part of the house. It's just coiled at the bottom of the fridge, but it works really well.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=924107278

[Doug Phillips]

Hi Greg - consider two incandescent light bulbs in series.  This extends their life to huge and means they don't get so hot.  Also, if you can adjust the wattage by changing them to higher or lower watt pairs (keep them matched) at will.  I use a fan to circulate the air past mine which are one all the time so no condensation issues.

[andrei cotiga]

May be a bit late for you... I bought a 5$ electric blanket off TM, cut the wires out (it''s OK they are insulated) then stuck them on a square of neoprene, enough to go around the carboy 3/4. Works a treat.