I think with warmer weather here I could use my immersion chiller outdoors to cool the wort. But here’s what is causing me to hesitate. How do I keep stuff like pollen, bugs, etc. From getting into the wort? I am not comfortable drilling holes in the brew kettle lid, and using some kind of cloth to cover the top could let lint drop in. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!
I’m not too concerned about that stuff. Even if bugs and stuff like that does make it into the wort, your yeast pitch should outcompete anything else. Yeast is a fungus and you’re adding much more of that than a few stray microbes.
but as a reminder, use the yeast pitch calculator to ensure you’re pitching enough yeast!
I don’t worry about this too much. When I chill under such conditions, I put the lid on the kettle to the extent that is possible, and then put a dish towel over any open areas. It won’t be perfectly sealed, but it keeps bugs and stray leaves out. I figure as long as I chill fairly quickly and pitch not too long after transfer, any bad bugs will get outcompeted.
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I wouldn’t worry about it either. Contaminants are everywhere, including indoors. Outdoors may or may not have more. If paranoia gets the better of you; you could always rig up a fan below your kettle blowing upwards to create what might be a "safe"r zone above the kettle.
Thank you, everyone. It’s always good to know that my concern might be a little over the top. Here’s hoping for non-rainy weather in my neighborhood this weekend!
Edited to add: People here in this forum are great. I ask a few questions, and every response is helpful in some fashion. It’s unfortunate more discussion forums aren’t this way.
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I think it’s a valid concern, and if I were to do this outside, I would be looking for solutions, too.
First, if nighttime, I would kill the lights so that bugs are not drawn to an overhead bulb.
Then, I might drape cheesecloth over everything while chilling or improvise a plastic “shield” with a hole for the chiller.
Not much else you can do to protect from pollen or microbes (other than out-compete them with lots of yeast), and a fan is not a bad idea - but I’d definitely do what I could to keep insects out of the wort.
I used to brew outdoors pretty exclusively and I just kept the lid on as best I could to keep bugs and leaves out.
I think outdoor brewing was the norm in the hobby for a long time since the norm for full-volume (i.e., full-boil extract and all-grain batches) brewing seemed to be heating with propane before the rise of AIO systems. And propane generally requires outdoor brewing.
I always draped the opening with aluminum foil or a notched lid. Never had any problems and brewed lot and lots during summer months
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