Heating a 200L fermenter

[Rumblepants]

Hi Guys,

I have a 60L sugarhead wash sitting at 1.020 in a 200L ex olive drum. The temp is sitting at 11c. Whats the best way to heat these up. I'm planning to fill it up with a wheat wash for vodka next.

Cheers
Rumble

[hjubm2]

Personally I use an old waterbed heating mat, easily keeps the barrel at 32+degrees if needed. A lot of other guys will use heating belts or aquarium heater with blankets for insulation.

[The Dark Alchemist]

Aquarium heater plus bubblewrap insulation...

[Wellsy]

It is easier to keep it warm rather than try and heat it up. Blankets do a great job of that. Not sure that helps you much this time though.
I used to use heater belts 4 of them and a couple of blankets to keep mine at the required 30 degrees

[Fishleg]

Im currently using a couple of heat belts down low and wrap a couple of camping roll out mats around it with wire securing.
I live in Canberra, it gets below zero here overnight regularly. Works well

[kingy]

I've been using a 200 watt aquarium heater on 150 litre wash in my cold uninsulated shed it only just keeps it at set point. Drops 2-3⁰c overnight. I have it set at Max temp but it switches on and off with a controller.
If I was to buy again I'd get a 300watt heater and I'd go stainless instead of glass which I'll do before next winter.