McMaster Carr Heat Sheets

[Dfitz]

I'm curious if anyone has used something like this to maintain a fermenter temperature. At a 2.5 to 5w density psi it seems like it would be reasonable.

https://www.mcmaster.com/#blanket-heaters/=15sqlin

 

[billl]

That's basically what all the carboy heaters are that you would see on a brew site. Of course, those are around 40w per 2 sq ft, or 0.07 wpsi. I wouldn't use something 50 times more powerful without a controller to turn it off it gets too hot.

 

[nk2007]

Two feet of this: http://www.reptilebasics.com/12-heat-tape

Plus one of these with the $0.99 installation option: http://www.reptilebasics.com/thg-amp-wireset

Came to $11.99. Fast shipping- ordered two sets Tuesday, $30 including shipping. Showed up Friday.

 

[mongoose33]

That's basically what all the carboy heaters are that you would see on a brew site. Of course, those are around 40w per 2 sq ft, or 0.07 wpsi. I wouldn't use something 50 times more powerful without a controller to turn it off it gets too hot.

I have the same concern--with that power density are you going to be cooking the beer some more under where the heater is?

I use a 21-watt seed heating or reptile warming mat, and it's 207 square inches, or .1 watt per square inch. It's able to keep a 5-gallon fermenter at 66 degrees in a refrigerator in a 40-degree garage. Probably can do better than that, that's just what I know it can do.