So, it is starting to get rather cool around here, especially at night. My fermentation chamber has been hitting the mid-50s in the evening. I have a digital Johnson A419 but have it on the cooling portion and wanted to figure out a heating source to keep it in range.
Anyways, I recently purchased a cone lamp fixture and a 60 watt blue incandescent bulb from a local pet store. I have left it on for a day and the bulb really heats up the freezer rather well, but… I am a little worried about the light that it puts off. It is a soft blue light but I know its still putting off UV and UVA rays (as indicated by the box). Any suggestions on another alternative or ideas on having a blue bulb rather than a typical white bulb? Should I not be too worried with the blue bulb?
This bulb will get the freezer working a little more than usual but better than stalled fermentations.
Sounds good. I might go with the heat rock because the lamp is putting way too much heat out and the freezer is kicking in full blast only to settle in the high 50s. Figuring out the best solution has been a head ache. Finally just moved the beer inside…for now.
I have used aquarium heaters in water baths to keep beer warm when fermenting during the winter. I used a big tote with a whole cut in the lid to accommodate the fermenter. I wouldn’t recommend using it in a freezer or ferm chamber, the warm water makes everything musty.
Are you using a dual stage controller or do you have the freezer and heat lamp operating independently?
Edit — re-read your original post. I would recommend using a dual stage controller. It will handle all of the work for you. Or, you could use a reptile thermostat to set the rock/bulb/whatever to a maximum temperature.
Yeah. I need to look at a dual stage controller. Just purchased the Johnson A419 so i may just have to utilize it for a future kegarator and get a ranco for the chamber. Thanks everyone for the suggestions.