Advice? -Heater(aquarium?) for fermenting Vegetables/kefir

[MitchJi]

Hi,

We need to be able to maintain a temperature (in our oven - turned off [it has a 170°F minimum]) of about 96°F - 99°F for up to 48 hours, for fermenting vegetables and making kefir.

We have been using the following instructions (but my wife thinks 96°F - 99°F is sufficient):

• Place glass jar near/next to an object that is warm, such as a dehydrator that is turned on to approximately 130 degrees Fahrenheit. Cover both the glass jar and the warming source with a towel.
• If a dehydrator is available that allows for larger items to be placed inside, place the covered glass jar inside the dehydrator and set the temperature to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.

The problem is that dehydrators use fans that are noisy and waste energy.

I'm thinking of buying one of these aquarium heaters:
http://www.finnex.net/index.php/deluxe_controllers_tubes/?___store=default

Finnex Deluxe Titanium Tubes and Controllers

HC-0810M Digital Temperature Controller

The HC-0810M Finnex controller offers a precision digital control with LED digital display which maintains water temperatures at a constant level protecting your livestock from temperature fluctuations. Easily adjustable high/low temperature settings...

Voltage Range Accuracy Max Load Overload Fuse Memory
100-120V 0-99°F ±2°F 800 Watts 10A Yes

The maximum 99°F is the highest of any model I found with a quick internet search.

The advantages are it should be quiet and reliable and I like the use of the Titanium Tube heating elements (vs glass which is subject to breakage).

The problems are I am hesitant to spend about $100 on this, in case it turns out that we need 105°F, and it's way overkill for our needs.

Can anyone recommend a different make that supports 105°F out of the box?

Simple reliable hack to bring this model (or another make or model) up to a maximum temperature of 105°F?

Suggestions for other methods than using an aquarium heater?

 

[liveforphysics]

I've owned that exact same model of Ti reef tank heater. It's solid, lasted 3 years of being in saltwater everyday before eventually failing in a non-catastrophic mode where the element inside went open-circuit.

I don't know how well heat transfers through veggie goo, as it's likely too thick to have good natural convection currents form in it, but I think you would be pleased with that heater, it served my 380gal reef aquarium well for years.

 

[gogo]

You could try a simple electric cooking device that has variable temperature control. The local Goodwill/Salvation Army type of store is a cheap source for these type of devices (crock pot, electric skillet, etc.)

 

[MitchJi]

Hi,

Too tired to do more tonight but I think I have a solution. I found the found the following searching for "crock pot with multiple temperature control":

I have a remote probe digital temperature controller which I have hooked up to an AC extension cord. Several manufacturers make them, they're available from HVAC or process control supply houses. Maybe $100 or so. They're pretty accurate - more so than most kitchen thermometers around our house.

Since the controller is external, it is easy to re-purpose it - one week it might be controlling an old refrigerator to give a controlled fermentation chamber, another might see it switching fans and heaters in a DIY bulk dehydrator. As long as the device controlled can achieve the temperature sought, then the controller has only to switch the power to suit.

Thanks!

 

[John in CR]

I've been fermenting the feed for our hens for about a month, so I appreciate the role temperature plays. Your process sounds like it's much more exact than our continuous cycle, but it's still an exothermic reaction, so before adding heat I'd look at retaining more heat with good insulation of your container.

 

[Harold in CR]

What's the alcohol proof of them hen fruit ?

Edit: Wife has a fruit that I will carry to you, if the damn squirrels don't get it all, that you mix with milk. IF I understand her, it kinda sorta does what that Kefir stuff does ??

 

[dogman dan]

Seems to me, a heat pad wrapped around your crock of stuff would work. About $40 in the drugstore.

Or pipe heat tape?

Both methods work good for gently heating balloon propane tanks, without overcooking a 10 gallon can of fuel.

Also an option, but more costly, reptile heaters. Not the hot rock, but the pad that goes under an aquarium.

 

[hydro-one]

light bulb 60w or ? in a tin can . wall thermostat in series. works like a charm

another option may be to turn on the oven light, if it is the right wattage......

 

[MitchJi]

Hi,

Thanks everyone for the useful advice and information! I think I'll be able to figure out a good solution now. When I get something that works well I'll be sure and post it here.

But I can see now I could have done a better job defining the problem. At the beginning the vegetables and kefir are cool. So I want a method to automatically heat them to the optimum (user defined temperature), which will require some experimentation to determine. With good insulation maintaining that temperature will not be as hard, but would require some seasonal tweaking, except that the same method that makes the initial temperature correct should also maintain it.

Thanks Again!

 

[friendly1uk]

What is the volume and temperture in standard index units? I know I could help if I knew what you were doing. This is right up my street. Just pulling some 150 proof as we speak... and a mate drinks that stuff

 

[dogman dan]

To get your initial heating, use a remote sensor thermometer and the lowest setting on the oven.

Turn off the oven, when it hits 105. Then go to whatever you are using for heat. A larger than normal incandescent light bulb in the oven might be just the thing to do it very cheap.

 

[nechaus]

you could rip apart an old hair dryer and use the nichrome wire inside as a heating element...

 

[Drunkskunk]

Ad one of these to your oven:
Northern Brewer Digital Temperature Controller

Then lock in the temp to anything you want.