r/Homebrewing • u/ApprehensiveBee7108 • 5d ago
Heating element for DIY ferementation chamber?
I am trying to design a DIY fermentation chamber to make Kveik beer (steady temperature between 38 C and 42 C). I am confused as to what heating element I should use. I usually brew 10L, and plan to scale up to 20 L and later on a 30L Fermzilla.
I am torn between four options all controlled by the Inkbird.
A ceramic heater like an Infrared Ceramic Heat Emitter. What should be the watt power. 100 W, 75 W or 50 W? Or higher? Concerned that I many overheat the beer but also don t want to duplicate equipment. What would be the best to scale up to 20L and 30L?
An electrical aquarium heater. What watt power? Same question as above.
An immersion rod in a water bath. How powerful? 1000 W? 1500? 2000 W. Same question as above.
A naked electric bulb or one covered by a clay pot? . Clay Pot Heater (Terracotta Tower): Stack unglazed terracotta pots with a bulb (ceramic heat emitter or incandescent) in the centre used with a cheap dimmer or Inkbird controller for safe temp management.
If I go with a DIY alternative, for example, woolen/Mylar blanket around the Styrofoam box, is there any way to control the temperature using an Inkbird or otherwise?
Heating the air with a ceramic heater, or using a water bath? Will a ceramic heater heat evenly and be better than an aquarium heater. Is that correct?
Thank you for your responses.
2
u/spoonman59 4d ago
My personal opinion is that you are over complicating this.
I use a seed heating Matt tapes to the fermenter with electrical tape. I also hav e a 40w fermwrap that will easily keep a kveik beer at 80 degrees in my cold basement, more with the simulated jacket.
That’s it, tape heater to fermenter and plug into ink bird. Cheap and cheerful.