General Category > Yeast and Fermentation

Open air fermentation

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baggins:
I've been flirting with the idea for open air fermentation for a while, especially with Wheat Beers. I currently have a dunkle in a frig at 60 F, and was wondering if open air fermentation in a frig is going to give me the desired effect, and it's also in a carboy. Just brewed it this morning, so already I have I nice yeasty top. What do you think I could expect just popping the airlock off for the next 4 or 5 days til the trub sinks? BTW my latest Dunkle is with 3068 Weihenstephan Weizen.  My desired effects are drive the esters up and keep the banana out.  I want a more over all fruity with out excessive banana.  I have perfect control on fermentation temp.  Will there be enough air circulation in a frig and with the carboy?  Others have said I could get better esters from 3638, but I've never used it.

bigchicken:
I don't think you're going to get the result you want using the carboy. With what little experience I have with open fermentation, I like using a bucket. More air can get in around the krauzen. I think fermenting as low as 60 with 3068, you'll probably kill off much banana anyway. I always ferment at 68 to get more banana with that strain.

kylekohlmorgen:
+1 with the carboy vs. bucket.

I would add that you should probably get your fridge REALLY clean, sanitized, and dry before doing an open fermentation.

Better yet - if the area right outside the fridge is (around) ferm. temps, leave it out of the fridge (or just leave the door open), allow it to free-rise to around 68F, then stick it in the fridge to make sure it doesn't creep up above 70F (to control banana-flavor). This will give your open fermentation the most room to "breath" during the most critical, flavor-developing portion of fermentation.

AmandaK:
Brewing TV did a whole episode on open fermentations a while back, could be a good thing to watch.

http://vimeo.com/12055691

baggins:
Yes, I saw that episode of Brew TV and it's what pushed me to want to try an open air fermentation.  Thanks for the advice, some others have told me about the frig being one of the more questionable environmets to open air ferment also.  Thank you every one.

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