What if I need a blow off hose when using a fridge?

Northern Brewer General
1

What happens if you have to open your mini fridge door to hook up a blow off hose? Won’t that mess with the yeast?

Thanks,
Dave

2

Not sure what you are asking here. Do you mean leave the fridge open? Or are you just concerned about removing the airlock and replacing it with a hose?

3

Sorry - I’m using a mini fridge for fermenting to keep the temp within a certain range. If I have to run a blowoff hose, then I’ll have to keep the fridge door open and that will ruin the temp control. Will that make the yeast stop working?

4

It will most likely just make your fridge constantly run and it may keep the temp a little higher. What’s the ambient temp outside of the fridge and what do you have your temp controller dialed in to?

5

It’s 77-78 outside the fridge, and I’m keeping the wort between 67-69. It’s been about 21 hours so far.

6

As long is its just cracked enough to allow the blowoff hose out I don’t see it being a very drastic temp drop if at all. The fridge will most likely run non-stop the entire time it’s open though which is not great for the fridge. Once the krausen drops though you should be able to go back to a standard airlock which for most yeasts is only in the first 24-48 hours of fermentation.

7

Great - thanks much Matt - appreciate your expertise.

:cheers:

8

You could also tape cardboard, insulation, etc. over the opening to create a temporary seal. Leave a peek hole flap if you want to see what is going on in there. Tape down the light switch so the light doesn’t remain on producing heat.

9

Thanks Flars!

:cheers:

10

Is there not room for a glass in the fridge too? Fill the glass up with sanitizer, place the end of the blowoff hose in the sanitizer, close the door.

11

No - the blowoff hose wouldn’t fit - it’s just a mini fridge that I had to cut out most of the front door insulation just to get the big mouth to fit in - that’s a good thought though.

Thanks.

:cheers:

12

I have a similar fermentation rig. If using a blowoff. I run the hose down the side of the fermenter to a cup filled with starsan. My fridge has a small ledge behind the main area where my bucket goes that fits a cup or jar just fine. I wouldn’t leave the door cracked or partially open. You would certainly and prematurely end the life of your fridge due to it constantly turning on.

13

Cool - thanks Dave! I’ve been checking it every 20-30 minutes and now I think the foam is starting to reside a bit. Sure got me thinking though - LOL. When I take this batch out of the fridge I’m gonna set up a “blowoff rig” like you described - then I’ll be ready.

All kinds of things to learn I never thought about - love this forum.

:cheers:

14

You could also drill out a hole in the top of the fridge and keep it plugged with a stopper when not in use.

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/no-6 ... opper.html

Pretty sweet setup for a buck!

15

I’ve drilled a hole in the side and run my hose to a gallon glass jug outside the frig. When not in use I cork it. I have a mini frig. also.