Heater Malfunction

[neddynoo]

hi. I was doing a brew for my dad it is just a mid-strength coopers lager using the goo & 500g be1 & kit yeast. Now my problem is due to the cold snap i used a friends fermenter which has a glass tube heater in the lid which i set for 16-18deg range but when i awoke this morning and checked on it the temp was up in the 32-34 range on the fermenters temp guage. It was bubbling away and was warm to touch i immediatly turned heater off and opened a window to try and get temp down. My ? is 1 will it still be ok to drink,2 should i have put it in the fridge to chill it quicker? I reasoned that a slow reduction might not be as harmfull than a rapid reduction or 3 should i just chuck it and start again.
At the moment it is down to the 26 range and some krausen is starting to form in the airlock but it is a milky sort of colour?
thanks neddy

 

[The Big Burper]

hi. I was doing a brew for my dad it is just a mid-strength coopers lager using the goo & 500g be1 & kit yeast. Now my problem is due to the cold snap i used a friends fermenter which has a glass tube heater in the lid which i set for 16-18deg range but when i awoke this morning and checked on it the temp was up in the 32-34 range on the fermenters temp guage. It was bubbling away and was warm to touch i immediatly turned heater off and opened a window to try and get temp down. My ? is 1 will it still be ok to drink,2 should i have put it in the fridge to chill it quicker? I reasoned that a slow reduction might not be as harmfull than a rapid reduction or 3 should i just chuck it and start again.
At the moment it is down to the 26 range and some krausen is starting to form in the airlock but it is a milky sort of colour?
thanks neddy

Neddy,

It will be OK, but maybe a bit on the fruity side. Seeing you caught it so early, no real damage will be caused. If the heater is removable, stick it in a big jug of water and test it. Those side thermometers are not a reliable indication of true temperature.

Your krausen will come through the airlock, take it out until the foam subsides, clean the airlock and replace it. Coopers yeast goes ballistic at temps over about 22.

Try to get it down to around 20 if you can. Leave it for two weeks, test for FG, then bottle.

cheers
Dave

 

[neddynoo]

Neddy,

It will be OK, but maybe a bit on the fruity side. Seeing you caught it so early, no real damage will be caused. If the heater is removable, stick it in a big jug of water and test it. Those side thermometers are not a reliable indication of true temperature.

Your krausen will come through the airlock, take it out until the foam subsides, clean the airlock and replace it. Coopers yeast goes ballistic at temps over about 22.

Try to get it down to around 20 if you can. Leave it for two weeks, test for FG, then bottle.

cheers
Dave

thanks dave for your help It is now down to 19.5 deg and steady. Will invest in some better equip. i think. cheers