One word of warning. If you use a heat pad or electric blanket, put it
around the outside of the carboy, do NOT put it under the carboy. A carboy
of wine is heavy and can cut the wires causing a fire hazard. You do not
want to smoke your wine. Whites can be fermented down into the 50's and
supposedly cold fermenting improves whites. That is just not an option for
me in Houston Texas.

Ray

> wrote in message newsnjhc.191708$Ig.86115@pd7tw2no...
> Hello,
>
> I am new here, but I have been reading for a few weeks now.... I am just
> looking at getting starting making some wine, I think I have enough $$ put
> aside now to pick up some equipment and a kit to start with. The problem
> is that the area where I can store my starting bucket and carboys is a
> little cool, I am wondering what is acceptable for keeping it warm, or up
> to recomended temp. Would putting something like a fish tank heater in it
> be OK, or "just wait longer"?
>
> Or would an insulated box with a thermostat in it be something that I need
> to look at?
>
> Thanks!
>
> ~Brian