Christmas Lights????

[mess1153]

Hi guys, I looked all over the forum and couldn't find anything on this. I heard that using Christmas lights in your box after you are done bottling is a good way to keep the beers at a reasonable temperature so they can condition properly. Anyone ever tried that before?

 

[broadbill]

I've read something similar and I don't think I would recommend it. Those things aren't exactly built with quality in mind. I'd be worried about the fire hazard, truthfully.

 

[petey_c]

As an electrician, even with the low wattage LED Christmas lights nowadays, it seems like too much of a waste of electricity (expensive here on Long Island) and that pesky fire hazard thing. I'd guess that a large party bucket (the kind with rope handles) and some frozen/hot 2 liter soda bottles (depending on your area) would do the trick. Also they're (Christmas lights) made in China, which doesn't have a real good safety/health record for their exports.... I'm lucky, my basement stays about 70°F. Cheers, Pete

 

[mess1153]

Yea I was thinking fire hazard too. They do get warm so I see how it would work though. I just bottled yesterday and I had them in a downstairs closet. I felt them today and the bottles felt pretty cold to the touch. I moved them upstairs into a warmed room. I did throw some lights in there, but I am only going to let them sit for about an hour just to take the chill off the bottle and then leave them. It actually has already started working. I would never leave them on overnight or when I wasn't at the house though.

 

[ACbrewer]

another way, which isn't a fire hazard, or as much of one, is to use a regular incandecent lightbulb in a standard socket - this will give up to +5 deg F depending on room size and wattage

 

[user 4295]

Something not mentioned here is that your finished beer should be kept away from light as much as possible. That's why we typical choose brown bottles over green or clear bottles. It's not UV light that reacts with the hop compounds in beer to skunk it, it's the photons contained in any light source.

 

[BradleyBrew]

.

 

[unionrdr]

It;'s always been said by pros that it's the UV end of the light spectrum that breaks down the hop oil molecules,creating that skunk wizz stuff.

 

[Dan]

As an electrician, even with the low wattage LED Christmas lights nowadays, it seems like too much of a waste of electricity (expensive here on Long Island) and that pesky fire hazard thing. I'd guess that a large party bucket (the kind with rope handles) and some frozen/hot 2 liter soda bottles (depending on your area) would do the trick. Also they're (Christmas lights) made in China, which doesn't have a real good safety/health record for their exports.... I'm lucky, my basement stays about 70°F. Cheers, Pete

I had to giggle when I read this, not because it's bad advice, it's great advice! Spoken like a true Electrician.

 

[Sean]

If you need to speed up the carbonation, you might put the beer near a heat vent and cover it with a blanket. You're in Charlotte, I am sure your heat is on today! Chilly here in pinehurst, I don't think it even got into the 40s

 

[user 4295]

It;'s always been said by pros that it's the UV end of the light spectrum that breaks down the hop oil molecules,creating that skunk wizz stuff.

Energetic photons will split the isomerized hop molecules into thiols. Red wavelength light is pretty lazy and won't do the job (which is why brown bottles work) Blue and to some degree green wavelengths are pretty energetic and will skunk beer but obviously the intensity of light makes a difference. Flourescent lights have a strong UV and blue-green component and will skunk beer given enough time.

 

[Lechien]

A vibrator can also serve as a stir plate as it will keep the yeast in suspension.

Hey honey, are you almost done with that? I really need to get my starter going...

 

[Airplanedoc]

Also they're (Christmas lights) made in China, which doesn't have a real good safety/health record for their exports

What kind of quality do you expect from 6 year old Chinese kids?

 

[Sean]

Energetic photons will split the isomerized hop molecules into thiols. Red wavelength light is pretty lazy and won't do the job (which is why brown bottles work) Blue and to some degree green wavelengths are pretty energetic and will skunk beer but obviously the intensity of light makes a difference. Flourescent lights have a strong UV and blue-green component and will skunk beer given enough time.

"Hop Molecules?" Man I love this site!!

 

[user 4295]

"Hop Molecules?" Man I love this site!!

What would you prefer I refer to the alpha acids, humulone and cohumulone as, considering that they are both molecules that make up one of the many compounds found in the hop plant?

It's iso-humulone (which is the molecule humulone that has been isomerized by being in the boil), that upon exposure to light, is hydrolyzed and reacts with thiols already present in the brew, producing 3-methyl-2-butene-1-thiol, which smells like skunk.

Ah, my old organic chemistry days. It still gives me a headache, LOL! :

 

[ReDim]

I have seen a DIY where A person as using a regular lamp bulb in a metal box...

in addition to petey_c's comments... just making sure you are aware that light is "bad' for the yeasts...

People use aquarium heaters and buckets or soda cans...

Personally I have found that freezing up some water is better for me, to help prevent overheating by the fermentation.

 

[conpewter]

Something not mentioned here is that your finished beer should be kept away from light as much as possible. That's why we typical choose brown bottles over green or clear bottles. It's not UV light that reacts with the hop compounds in beer to skunk it, it's the photons contained in any light source.

Not any light source, but any white light source, yes. Use red Christmas lights and your brew will be fine (though it may catch your box on fire)

Brew Your Own: The How-To Homebrew Beer Magazine - Brew Wizard - Why would the visible color of a bottle determine its ability to transmit or reflect UV light?

There are numerous references in the brewing literature stating that light ranging from 350–520 nm results in skunky beer. That covers the upper portion of the UV light range and visible light from violet to green, including blue.

A couple years ago I bought some "bug light" covers for my flourescent lights in my beer room, so I only get yellow light out of them. So far no issues with skunkage at all even if i leave the lights on for days.

Fluorescent bug lights produce wavelengths between 585 and 647 nanometers.

 

[user 4295]

Not any light source, but any white light source, yes. Use red Christmas lights and your brew will be fine (though it may catch your box on fire)

Brew Your Own: The How-To Homebrew Beer Magazine - Brew Wizard - Why would the visible color of a bottle determine its ability to transmit or reflect UV light?



A couple years ago I bought some "bug light" covers for my flourescent lights in my beer room, so I only get yellow light out of them. So far no issues with skunkage at all even if i leave the lights on for days.

The majority of people will not be determining the wavelengths of light that they expose their beer to. Much safer bet to just avoid exposure to all light and find another way to keep their beers warm. IMHO. People will do whatever they want though. More power to you.

 

[dukesbb37]

Not any light source, but any white light source, yes. Use red Christmas lights and your brew will be fine (though it may catch your box on fire)

This is great...

I wouldn't trust xmas lights with all the house fires they cause every winter... In a confined cardboard box? No thanks...

 

[conpewter]

When I was researching all this (Didn't want to replace my flourescent light) I did find it interesting that it was not just UV light but the purple/blue/green as well.

On the plus side, bright flourescent light really helps me wake up in the morning (more blue/UV?)

 

[unionrdr]

Craigtube has a video about this that uses Christmas lights in a dunnage container with a thermostatic switch. Might be an interesting watch.

 

[mlyday]

Something like this is probably a better option.

Wort-O-Matic: Fermentation Can Heater

 

[Sean]

You could snuggle close to the bottles to keep them warm!:fro:

 

[Trokair]

Something like this is probably a better option.

Wort-O-Matic: Fermentation Can Heater

I just built mine two days ago. Works like a charm and only cost $15. Now I just need to the the temperature switch and I'll be good to go.

 

[petey_c]

You could snuggle close to the bottles to keep them warm!:fro:

Sean, I was sorta thinking along the same lines. Like a mother hen sitting on her eggs.
I haven't heard the term dunnage since the Navy....