Flashlight to fermenting wort?

Is it bad to look at the wort with a flashlight while it's doing its thing?

Should be fine.

I do this regularly. No problems. Exposing the wort to a small light source for a few seconds shouldn't do anything.

I was thinking about this the other day. I've got a hella brigh LED flashlight ...

I've done that to every batch I have ever brewed....just can't help it. I'm like a moth flying around a light when I have a beer in primary

Eric

It takes pretty long to make beer skunky. Hours in flourescent light according to Papazian and my experience. Relax.

isn't it the UV spectrum that oxidizes beer? a flashlight has VERY LITTLE UV, if any.

Check your state voyerism laws first

I was expecting you to say "I was checking my wort and dropped my light. Ker-plunk!!"

Dogphish said:

isn't it the UV spectrum that oxidizes beer? a flashlight has VERY LITTLE UV, if any.

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I was listening to the basic brewing podcast on the subject recently, and according to the chemist they had on there the shorter half of the vis spectrum, < 500 nm or so, can cause these reactions as well.

It's a matter of total energy, as well as spectrum. Your eyes react to a range of light logarithmically, so what looks like a bright flashlight can be hundreds or thousands of times weaker than sunlight.

Not a problem.

Watching particles float up and drop down is perhaps the cheapest and saddest way I've been known to spend a weekend night.

Skarekrough said:

Watching particles float up and drop down is perhaps the cheapest and saddest way I've been known to spend a weekend night.

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That's why I asked. Cause I do it too.

naughtyco said:

That's why I asked. Cause I do it too.

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Do you cheer them along when they get near the top and drop back down?

Yeah....me neither.

How would you feel if somebody watched you with a flashlight while you were doing your thing? Uh-huh, shoe's on the other foot now, isn't it?

How would you feel if somebody watched you with a flashlight while you were doing your thing?

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It would depend on who it was actually. Sound kinda Kinky if it involves Cindy from down the street.

stellaontap said:

I've done that to every batch I have ever brewed....just can't help it. I'm like a moth flying around a light when I have a beer in primary

Eric

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I resemble that remark!

Skarekrough said:

Watching particles float up and drop down is perhaps the cheapest and saddest way I've been known to spend a weekend night.

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That too... It's fun and cheap (like me).. what can I say...

It's pretty wild when things are going on in there to the point where the beer/wort is churning...lot's of yeast farts and piss I guess.