Brewbelt First Timer

[helmet]

Well,

using a brewbelt for the first time.
I brewed a DIPA last night and banged the belt on, since our house is now freeeeeeeeeezing!
Basically, my concern is that the contents of my fermenter is moving like crazy. I can clearly see the sedimentary bits flying around inside. Is it too warm?

[LordEoin]

movement is good.
What yeast is it and what temperature does your temp strip say?

Move the belt up higher to drop the temp a bit or move it down to raise the temp a bit.
I also found that a timer switch does a great job once you figure it out.
STC is the way forward though

[helmet]

Thanks LordEoin. Yeast is Safale 05.
The lcd thermometer is telling me that it's at 23 degrees
It really is going like the clappers!

[Garry]

our house is now freeeeeeeeeezing!

Did Mrs helmet write that bit?

+1 for the STC, it's the only way.

23℃ is probably as high as you want to go. Try aim for 19 to 21℃.

The yeast will keep it warm now if you just put a blanket or towels around the fv for the next couple of days.

[auralabuse]

Stc?,  thermometer control I'm guessing,  forgive the ignorance.  I thought I knew shit loads till I joined this forum

[helmet]

Done and done, thanks lads.

[Garry]

Stc?,  thermometer control I'm guessing,  forgive the ignorance.  I thought I knew shit loads till I joined this forum

Click me, HARD!

[johnrm]

WTF is this timer lark?
That's worse control than abandoning your beer  in the spare room with no heating.
What is the logic in it?

[LordEoin]

with a timer you can set it to turn on when you know the house will be cold.
I used to use one with great results, powering for 15 minutes every 45 by night and whatever by day.
It'll doesn't keep the temperature fully stable, but you'll keep it within 2-3 degrees with some playing, avoiding a huge temp difference between night and day.

this kinda thing:

[johnrm]

Sorry, no sale. STC all the way.

[LordEoin]

yup, if you have an stc.
most houses dont, but most houses do have these

after all it does the same thing as an stc, switches the power on and off.
the only difference is that it does this at preset intervals instead of on the fly.

It's by no means foolproof, but it's better than having constant heat(unless you have a dimmer) or no heat at all.
In this case we have the beer fermenting at 26C or left in the freezing cold.

[Kevin O'Roundwood]

About brew belts - how safe is it to leave them unattended for a while? Have to go away for a couple of days and winter has arrived in Roundwood with a vengence...

[LordEoin]

i leave mine unattended in the shed for weeks, but use your own best judgement.

[Kevin O'Roundwood]

Ah - great idea. Maybe I'll wrap it up and plug it in in the shed. No problems with wrapping a quilt or blanket around the heat belt??

[johnrm]

Once your electrics (if a shed) are sound and your brewbelt is in good condition there is no issue.
I think these are about 40W so 1000/40 => 25hrs so about 1 unit  per day.