Fun at 40 Blew

[Stihler]

When it gets cold the air becomes very dry. It is actually too cold to snow.

If it is cold enough throwing hot water or hot coffee up into the air results in the water evaporating before it hits the ground.

Here is a nice video showing that: http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?feature=related&v=4ut3MbBRsIY.

Also when it is cold normal water bubbles will freeze and roll around on the ground. When they break the pieces kind of look like cellophane. Here is a video taken from Prudhoe Bay:http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gl_vPIMLk5w.

What is not fun a -40° is having your pipes freeze. Our pipes froze and burst last week. We are without water. Because of the prolonged cold snap the plumbers are swamped with calls. We are still waiting for somebody to come and fix our pipes and deal with the water damage.

Fortunately, my wife found a hotel that will allow us to stay with our two black cats and our Old English Sheepdog and Chihuahua puppy. Much as I hate to admit it, it sure looks like we will be spending Christmas here in the hotel.

Oh well...things could be worse.

- Scott

 

[pittsy]

wow that sounds very cold , sorry to hear of your troubles and i hope it gets sorted for you sooner than later

 

[periolus]

Your HLT and boiler must be absolute monsters! Or do you brew inside? Good luck with the damage, I know how much hassle burst pipes can cause.

 

[Stihler]

Thank you for your kind words. It will be nice to eventually get back into our house.

I heat the mash and sparge water up and boil the wort outside. I do this down to about -30°F/-34°C. At about -40°F/°C the propance stops flowing which is a serious bummer if you are in the middle of brewing a batch.

The actually mashing etc. takes place inside the house.

I create an improvised three tire system by placing the hot liquid tank on top of the refrigerator with water flowing into the mash tun that is placed on top of the stove. Wort flows from the mash tun into the kettle (a coverted keg) that is placed on the floor. It is not pretty but it works.

- Scott