BeerBorg

What are my options for a DIY heat source for the STC-1000 temperature controller ?

I'm using it for the first time and love the fact that I can set the temperature and not worry about ice bottles. I'll need to put some heat into my mini fridge as the weather gets colder.

You can use one of those electric wraps/blankets for heat, or you can use a heat lamp for a reptile tank.

I've read of people putting a bulb inside a paint can, although that would be large for a min-fridge.

Here's a link to a paint can heater...

http://brewstands.com/fermentation-heater.html

You could also use a commercially available fermentation blanket or strap...

A small hair dryer with a GFCI outlet could work as well

Or, if you can keep your fermenter in a vessel with water in it, an inexpensive aquarium heater will regulate the 'water jacket' around your fermenter....

I ordered 3 feet of this heat tape last night. I got the electrical cord and put "Please assemble" in the instruction box. It came to less than 20$ shipped and puts out 23 watts per ft. Should be just the thing for Biere De Garde and Saison temps and any other controlled heating. I'll let all know what I think when I get it.

I've been using the paint can heater covered by a 55 gallon insultated garbage can as my fermentation chamber and it works like a champ.

Inkleg wrote:I ordered 3 feet of this heat tape last night. I got the electrical cord and put "Please assemble" in the instruction box. It came to less than 20$ shipped and puts out 23 watts per ft. Should be just the thing for Biere De Garde and Saison temps and any other controlled heating. I'll let all know what I think when I get it.

Heat tape looks like it could be a great solution.

Are you planning on sitting the fermenter on top of the tape,wrapping it around the fermenter or placing it in the chamber?

I wonder if it would be water proof.

You can't set it on top of the tape. So I'm going to wrap the fermenter or line the inside of the fridge with it or the inside of a cardboard box. Haven't decided yet. I'll play around with a bucket of water to see what works best.
My hope is to be able to raise temperatures to 80-90 outside the fridge for Siason and have the fridge for ales and lagers.
I wonder how a box made from foam insulation and lined with the tape would work?

I have the probe taped to a LBK under bubble wrap. The temperature is set to 19.5 C. ( 67 F ).
The fermentation has really taken off.
I'm using US -05.

I found an old desk light that has a clamp on it. I'm using that with a low wattage light in it. It is clamped to the shelf inside the fridge.I don't think I'll need any heat until next brew but it's there if it gets too cold.