Mold in fermentation chamber

[ILMSTMF]

At the moment, not planning to exhaust airlock outside of the FC.

I'm thinking of trying to put a tight layer of foil on top of the cup and punch a hole in it. Run the blowoff through it and hope the Eva-Dry doesn't pick up the StarSan. Worth a try, I suppose.

 

[day_trippr]

So you're gonna fight humidity with water?

 

[ILMSTMF]

So you're gonna fight humidity with water?

I'm not very smart with these sorts of things

Need I say more?

 

[wepeeler]

At $15 a piece that's a great price!
Beats even their 6-pack offer at $19 a piece...


Maybe double-up (or triple-up) on it while ordering?

I picked up 2! Next day shipping too

 

[ILMSTMF]

I picked up 2! Next day shipping too

A good chance I'll buy another unit or two. One to devote to the keezer per @day_trippr's brilliant suggestion. I'm sure I can find another part of the home to benefit from this product. Will hold off until Prime Day in hopes of an even lower price.

Anyway, new-ish plan. Will hang the Eva-Dry in the FC once the airlock is detached from FV. It will also be employed, especially, when FC is empty / isn't active (cold or hot).

 

[DonT]

Hello,
I have heating wires taped on the walls too.

A little late to the party here, but this may be what's causing the humidity. I would think you're heating the air instead of directly heating your fermenter.

 

[whoaru99]

A little late to the party here, but this may be what's causing the humidity. I would think you're heating the air instead of directly heating your fermenter.

I'd agree it's probably not the most efficient way to heat the FV. But, even if you more directly heated the FV, being the FC is a relatively small, insulated space, isn't the internal temp of the FC going to heat up anyway from the warm mass of the FV?

 

[DonT]

I'd agree it's probably not the most efficient way to heat the FV. But, even if you more directly heated the FV, being the FC is a relatively small, insulated space, isn't the internal temp of the FC going to heat up anyway from the warm mass of the FV?

Yes, but in order for the wort to get to desired temp, the surrounding air will have to be significantly warmer for a longer period of time.
To the OP, what's your set up look like?

 

[ILMSTMF]

but this may be what's causing the humidity. I would think you're heating the air instead of directly heating your fermenter.

I'd agree it's probably not the most efficient way to heat the FV.

I appreciate all who understand my laziness... I would find the effort of wrapping the heat wire around the FV to be more of a hassle each time the FV loads in and out of the FC. Hence, tape them to FC walls and let it go.

Further support to my decision - the hot wires really only activate when I ramp temps up after primary fermentation is done. Recall that I will warm as high as 76F. Since I'm not pushing into the 80s or above, those hot wires don't kick on much or for long periods. However.... yes, in the warm phase, the FC gets balmy... In that same phase, no airlock is attached so, this would probably be a great time to put the Eva-Dry in FC. ;-)

To the OP, what's your set up look like?

I will try to get a photo soon, thanks.

 

[DonT]

This is what I used when I had a similar set up...

 

[whoaru99]

Further support to my decision

No justification necessary from my POV.

My reply was only to ask (or perhaps imply) if placement of the heating elements on FC walls vs. on the FV itself might or might not be a material difference in the overall mold growth scenario. I think might not, but...

 

[ILMSTMF]

if placement of the heating elements on FC walls vs. on the FV itself might or might not be a material difference in the overall mold growth scenario. I think might not, but...

Let me make it clear...so much of the blame for the mold and / or mildew can be placed on me.

• blowoff leads to uncapped cup of StarSan, in the FC
• it gets steamy in there, especially once I get the temp ramp going
• heat wires inefficiently generating more heat being uncoupled from the FV
• oh... and then you get batches with dry hops that get a temp in-between of 53F. The cold box cools just enough to maybe frost...then there's a notable amount of dripping water.
• oh again... I'm not diligent enough about wiping out the FC between uses! (not going to keep up that bad habit)

The discussion has set me right on how to compensate for some of those shortcomings. Not the least being adding a dehumidifier and, duh, being more proactive about wiping the FC down after use.