How worried should I be?

billk911 · Apr 17, 2011

I was just finishing up a brew the was flawless from beginning to "almost" end. The last thing I had to do was put the yeast from a previous brew into the carboy.I had it stored in a mason jar and right after I poured the yeast in I had a butter fingers moment and the flat lid of the mason jar slipped from my fingers and right into the carboy. I tried to get it out with a sanatized spoon but to no avail. I finally realized the only way to get it out was with my hand. I saoked my arm in sanatized solution for a couple minutes and then got the lid out with my arm. Personally, I do not feel to worried about it too much but I would love to hear what other people think.

sickbrew · Apr 17, 2011

I remember having to do something similar with my arm to unclog a screen. Was also worried but in the end it was just fine. Since your re-pitching with a large amount of yeast this should provide some additional peace of mind. I don't think you'll have an issue.

Revvy · Apr 17, 2011

How did a mason jar lid end up in the tiny mouth of a carboy? Or do you mean a bucket?

Either way, relax. We've all done something like that at one time or another and our beer has managed to survive.

Read this...

509inc · Apr 17, 2011

I probably would've just left it in there rather than stick my arm in the bucket to fish it out.

Revvy · Apr 17, 2011

509inc said:
I probably would've just left it in there rather than stick my arm in the bucket to fish it out.

Exactly...it's usually just better left as is than adding MORE possible infection risk by fishing it out.

billk911 · Apr 17, 2011

I was not sure how the metal would react during the whole fermentation process. And yes, I meant to say bucket. I use both.

brewstonian · Apr 17, 2011

The only metal I trust in fermenting beer is stainless steel, alot of times jar lids have laquer on them. As long as you washed your hands and didn't pick your nose or anything you probably did the right thing. I mean doctors stick there hands and arms in people all the time. Its actually more dangerouse to breath on the beer than to touch it, "dirty mouth, use orbit"