Should I use a tea towell nuder the lid of my FV?

[Nic_P]

Hi,
My first question for you guys.
I had read that you should use a tea towell under the lid of the FV that will collect a brown crust (that gives hangovers etc..)
Is this a good idea?
I thought this may not be a great idea due to sanitation problems?
Cheers
Nic

 

[jamesb]

I know someone who does this, however I wouldn't do it myself unless I'd boilwashed the tea towels.

I never remove my crust/scum from the FV anyway.

 

[topconker]

Answer is no Nic-P,
As the fermentation runs it produces carbon dioxide gas which acts as a barrier to airbourne infections and anything you allow to touch the surface of the yeast head will undoubtedly transfer into the beer. (no matter how well you sterilize your teatowel).
The brown residue you see is the residual trub from the brewing/boiling stage and you can "carefully" remove it with the first stage head crop with a sterilized spoon but if you leave it you'll see it tends to collect around the side of the FV as the initial yeast heads subsides into the beer or drops down with the yeast as it settles out.
Good boiling technique will reduce this trub to very little anyway, always ensure a good hot break then rest the boil to allow the proreins to sink into the hop bed before running off the wort into your FV.
TC

 

[Nic_P]

Thanks James

Thanks topconker. I understood the No part, after that you lost me. lol. This is my first homebrew and I am using a kit.
Hopefully I will soon understand the rest of what you said, as I would like to do and a couple of extracts brews and then move on to an AG brew.

I never thought I would curse warm weather but I can't find anywhere that will keep my FV to below 23c. Any tips?

Thanks again guys
Nic

 

[jamesb]

I never thought I would curse warm weather but I can't find anywhere that will keep my FV to below 23c. Any tips?

Wait until Sunday :grin:

There is a method of evaporative cooling; cover the fermenter with an old damp t-shirt or something and put one end in a pot of water. I've never tried it myself though.

 

[Nic_P]

Sunday? Of course Wimbledon final, it's bound to be cold and wet

 

[topconker]

Keeping a fermentuing brew cool can be a problem, ideas such as leaving the FV in a cool bath can help though, or even in a downstairs cucboard may help.
Dont get too worked up about temperature though, it's not ideal and a racing ferment as it's known can cause a problem around off flavours and keeping qualities although the latter should'nt be a problem in this weather as it soon gets drunk!!
:drink:
I have to admit I rarely brewed in the summer months because of the problems with temperature control although some of my brewmates were lucky enough to have cellars or even in one case an air conditioning unoit in the garage.
TC

 

[Nic_P]

I have to admit I rarely brewed in the summer months because of the problems with temperature control although some of my brewmates were lucky enough to have cellars or even in one case an air conditioning unoit in the garage.
TC

Ah well you live and learn, typical of me to try it during a hot spell, whats the chances in England eh?
Thanks for your help
Nic