Home Brew Heat Panel

This product seemed to work well with a fermenter or carboy housing a 5-gallon batch, if a bit on the warm side; but it killed my attempt at a fermented-out root beer(1.5-gallon batch) when the temp in the fermenter spiked at 82 F overnight! A test with one of my thermometers showed the unit operating at a constant 100 F! Maybe the Kiwis have bred out a yeast that ferments at that high a temp, but I've yet to see an example of it...

This pad works very well when used with a Johnson digital temperature controller so that it only heats when necessary. I use mine in a chest freezer with one controller for the freezer and another controller for the heat pad under a carboy. I tape both of the temperature probes taped to the side of the carboy. I can keep lagers fermenting very precisely at whatever temp I choose. Not a cheap set up but it sure does work well. I wish that it was not quite so expensive.

Easily maintains 6 gallons @ 70 degrees in my 55 degree basement. Solidly built (it's rigid, not soft). You MUST use a temp controller to regulate the heater!

I have this pad paired with a Johnson a419 controller and have been extremely happy with it's ability to keep a 5 gallon batch at a target temperature. I keep my carboy inside a converted wine cooler, whcih provides insulation--and this heater has no problem holding it at 5-15 degrees above ambient temperature.

As other reviewers have pointed out this really *must* be used in conjunction with a controller so that it doesn't overheat your beer. That said it's not a cheap setup to combine this with a controller, but it is a sturdy piece of equipment that I expect to hold-up well with use.

My only complaint is the price--it would be 5-stars across the board if it were competitively priced around $30, but I'll be content if it lasts a long time.

Mines in the bottom of the keezer and it could not maintain the temp. Keezer and the pad are on two separate Johnson controls. I broke the ferm wrap back out to maintain the ferm temp.

You MUST use a heat controller with this pad! Otherwise, you will boil your brew.(well not quite that hot). But when used properly, it does keep a safe and consistent temp in the carboy. Just what I needed for my basement!

It's worked well for me this winter.
It maintained temperature in a narrow range in my cold basement.
I duct taped the probes to the fermentor, to keep it accurate.
You need a temperature controller too, so it doesn't overheat.