Need A Straight Answer!

[Mantis]

The brews tasted really bad, but I have no idea what an infection tastes like. From all reports, once a brew kicks off and starts bubbling, infections are rare to get? I never had a problem with the yeast taking more than half a day to well and truly be bubbling.
All things were sterilized with bleach, boiling water and/or sanatizer. Bottles the same, but not relevent as the brew never smelt or tasted good from the fermenter.
As far as hydrometer, I can't remember because the last time I brewed was 5 years ago, I know I used it, but don't know what the readings were, probably close to what it should be.

You should probably start a new thread for this. What water did you use to top up the fermenter?

 

[staggalee]

FYI,
It's 31 deg in my garage today where my esky modified to take my fermenter is. I put a 2 litre and 1.25 litre frozen bottle in this morning and the temp is holding steady at about 24 deg. I could put more frozen bottle in but I'm happy with the 24 deg.

I'm searching ebay at the moment for cheap fridges to put a thermostat controller in. Should be able to set up for about $100. My local HBS has a couple set up in his shop.

Cheers.

you should read here more often
A bloke was on here from Brisbane a few days ago with a working fridge to give away.

stagga.

 

[greg_549]

a lot of people sit the fermenter in a big deep tray of water with a towel draped over it into the water (the towel stays wet due to some kind of wicking thing) with a fan blowing on the whole shebang, and you can drop quite a few degrees that way.

I've been having the same problem.. Adelaide is cold these days, but even with having brew off the carpet in a spare room, windows open and fan on 24/7 i've been averaging a touch over 20.. I figured the towel and bucket of water would encourage infection... Safe???