Re: URGENT Seeking Advice on WHERE 2 BREW PLZ READ!!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

If you put your brews on top of the fridge the vibration of the fridge

might stop any Kombucha Colonies from forming. Therefore I vote for

the cabinet above the fridge. If you smoke in the room close the

cabinet doors, the Kombucha doesn't need light but it needs clean air.

So do you:-))

Peace, Love and Harmony,

Bev

>

> You may have read my mold post on the group site - I am leery of where

> to put them now - I am literally in a panic over this. I read to put

> it on the fridge but when i moved in there was a older fridge that I

> use - it had mold along the rubber that seals the doors - I bleached

> it repeatedly but it left stains - I haven't noticed any further live

> growth tho - Could it spread to my SCOBY if the jars are placed on the

> fridge - or should it be ok???

>

> OR There is a nice size double door cupboard above my fridge - it is

> warm (cuz of the running fridge beneath) Could I place them in the

> cupboard - or would that be too dark???? COuld I even place them in

> the cupboard with the doors open on the cupboard?? Would that maybe be

> a good place for my brews???

>

> 1 More thing - I am a smoker - and I thought the cupboard may guard

> the SCOBY from smoke chemicals as well. The kitchen is the safest

> room where we do not smoke alot in it.... But I know it travels thru

> the air and can cause mold also.

>

> I am down to a pint after dumping last nites 2 gallons - and the more

> i read I don't even think it was mold in there in the 1st place - but

> i was too afraid to wait and see. SO I really don't want my next

> couple brews (or any really) to screw up on me.

>

> Please help me

>

[Guest guest]

Cori,

You only need to be thinking about the refrig as a spot for brewing on or

near if your house temp is cold and you are seeking heat. If your temps

get up above 70 degrees F during the day, you probably will be fine.

Personally, on top of the fridge or up in a cupboard totally wouldn't work

for me. I have twice had whiplash and then had RSI from typesetting for a

million years and simply would not set myself up for all that lifting

overhead, climbing on ladders or chairs and whatnot.

If your house is cold all the time then maybe you have no choice, but there

is no rule that says you have to brew near a refrig. The peasants who

brewed for thousands of years never had refrig's.

--V

~~~ There is no way to peace; peace is the way ~~~~

--A.J. Muste

[Guest guest]

>I am down to a pint after dumping last nites 2 gallons - and the more

>i read I don't even think it was mold in there in the 1st place - but

>i was too afraid to wait and see. SO I really don't want my next

>couple brews (or any really) to screw up on me.

Cori,

If the brews didn't have mold, then they didn't screw up. If there was a

screwup (dumping), it wasn't the KT's fault So, please, don't worry so

much. This refrigerator thing is just way too much worry and there is no

" rule " that says you have to brew on a fridge.

It is pretty much reported though that tobacco smoke will affect the brew,

so despite what I said earlier, if you think it will help protect it to

keep it in a cupboard, then do so. The literature says that KT is fine

brewing in the dark. One important thing to remember is always wash your

hands VERY well and rinse VERY well before handling anything of your KT:

the vessel, the cloth cover, decanting implements, bottles, and certainly,

the SCOBY. That is because the nicotine residue on your hands could cause

a big problem. Pure nicotine, or even tobacco tea, is a potent and

dangerous pesticide. It will certainly hurt the SCOBY. (for info Google:

nicotine pesticide)

So, whereas it sounds like you didn't really have mold in your brew, the

tobacco/smoke could actually create a problem and should be addressed to

avoid it.

Sorry if my responses have been disjointed lately. Yahoo keeps sending

things out of order and with long delays.

--V

~~~ There is no way to peace; peace is the way ~~~~

--A.J. Muste

[Guest guest]

Do u think if i leave one or both cupboard door open it would work

out?? I cannot see MUCH smoke traveling in there. What about air

cleaners to filter out cigarette smoke - like maybe place them in

cupboard - doors open and an air cleaner in front of the doors???

Am i worrying too much??

Thanks

Cori

> >

> > You may have read my mold post on the group site - I am leery of where

> > to put them now - I am literally in a panic over this. I read to put

> > it on the fridge but when i moved in there was a older fridge that I

> > use - it had mold along the rubber that seals the doors - I bleached

> > it repeatedly but it left stains - I haven't noticed any further live

> > growth tho - Could it spread to my SCOBY if the jars are placed on the

> > fridge - or should it be ok???

> >

> > OR There is a nice size double door cupboard above my fridge - it is

> > warm (cuz of the running fridge beneath) Could I place them in the

> > cupboard - or would that be too dark???? COuld I even place them in

> > the cupboard with the doors open on the cupboard?? Would that maybe be

> > a good place for my brews???

> >

> > 1 More thing - I am a smoker - and I thought the cupboard may guard

> > the SCOBY from smoke chemicals as well. The kitchen is the safest

> > room where we do not smoke alot in it.... But I know it travels thru

> > the air and can cause mold also.

> >

> > I am down to a pint after dumping last nites 2 gallons - and the more

> > i read I don't even think it was mold in there in the 1st place - but

> > i was too afraid to wait and see. SO I really don't want my next

> > couple brews (or any really) to screw up on me.

> >

> > Please help me

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Vickie - NO the house is kept at 70degrees in the winter and

because it is a trailer it gets much warmer than that in the warmer

months = So at this point my main concern is avoiding the cigarette

smoke to avoid future problems, For now I have 2 gallons brewing in 3

-1gal jars - so i have ample air room for the babies. I placed them on

a shelf it a spare room (son's toy room) and are keeping the door shut

at all times. If i have no problems i will most likely keep them there

- it is just I will worry when he is in there that they will get

bumped - He is almost 12 so he knows not to go near them. I think

we'll be alright - would air cleaners be a good investment now that i

am brewing kombucha - they probably would be regardless - but

especially now? My kefir should be arriving today - is it as sensitive

to smoke and molds??

Thanks \

Cori

>

> Cori,

>

> You only need to be thinking about the refrig as a spot for brewing

on or

> near if your house temp is cold and you are seeking heat. If your

temps

> get up above 70 degrees F during the day, you probably will be fine.

>

> Personally, on top of the fridge or up in a cupboard totally

wouldn't work

> for me. I have twice had whiplash and then had RSI from typesetting

for a

> million years and simply would not set myself up for all that lifting

> overhead, climbing on ladders or chairs and whatnot.

>

> If your house is cold all the time then maybe you have no choice,

but there

> is no rule that says you have to brew near a refrig. The peasants who

> brewed for thousands of years never had refrig's.

>

> --V

>

> ~~~ There is no way to peace; peace is the way ~~~~

> --A.J. Muste

>

[Guest guest]

I think you're worrying too much. I've been brewing for years and

keep four bowls covered by muslin in a dirty dusty airing cupboard

which has no door, I keep the curtain shut in the room, it's a

storage room, to keep it dark and just let them get on with it. I've

never had any mould (fuzzy) or any problems, just leave them be and

let them get on with it. I don't even bother washing my hands every

time and have produced perfect testing KT every time.

KT is very hardy, even when I've forgotten about them and they've

hardly any liquid in there, I just re-feed them and in a few days

they all bounce back, treat 'em mean, they like it.

Matt

> Do u think if i leave one or both cupboard door open it would work

> out?? I cannot see MUCH smoke traveling in there. What about air

> cleaners to filter out cigarette smoke - like maybe place them in

> cupboard - doors open and an air cleaner in front of the doors???

>

> Am i worrying too much??

>

> Thanks

> Cori

>

>

>>>

>>> You may have read my mold post on the group site - I am leery of

>>> where

>>> to put them now - I am literally in a panic over this. I read to

>>> put

>>> it on the fridge but when i moved in there was a older fridge that I

>>> use - it had mold along the rubber that seals the doors - I bleached

>>> it repeatedly but it left stains - I haven't noticed any further

>>> live

>>> growth tho - Could it spread to my SCOBY if the jars are placed

>>> on the

>>> fridge - or should it be ok???

>>>

>>> OR There is a nice size double door cupboard above my fridge - it is

>>> warm (cuz of the running fridge beneath) Could I place them in the

>>> cupboard - or would that be too dark???? COuld I even place them in

>>> the cupboard with the doors open on the cupboard?? Would that

>>> maybe be

>>> a good place for my brews???

>>>

>>> 1 More thing - I am a smoker - and I thought the cupboard may guard

>>> the SCOBY from smoke chemicals as well. The kitchen is the safest

>>> room where we do not smoke alot in it.... But I know it travels thru

>>> the air and can cause mold also.

>>>

>>> I am down to a pint after dumping last nites 2 gallons - and the

>>> more

>>> i read I don't even think it was mold in there in the 1st place -

>>> but

>>> i was too afraid to wait and see. SO I really don't want my next

>>> couple brews (or any really) to screw up on me.

>>>

>>> Please help me

>>>

>>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

i brew mine in my airing cupboard it's the only warmish place in the house

i leave the door closed and it's fine

sian

bunnysnugglee wrote:

Do u think if i leave one or both cupboard door open it would work

out?? I cannot see MUCH smoke traveling in there. What about air

cleaners to filter out cigarette smoke - like maybe place them in

cupboard - doors open and an air cleaner in front of the doors???

Am i worrying too much??

Thanks

Cori

> >

> > You may have read my mold post on the group site - I am leery of where

> > to put them now - I am literally in a panic over this. I read to put

> > it on the fridge but when i moved in there was a older fridge that I

> > use - it had mold along the rubber that seals the doors - I bleached

> > it repeatedly but it left stains - I haven't noticed any further live

> > growth tho - Could it spread to my SCOBY if the jars are placed on the

> > fridge - or should it be ok???

> >

> > OR There is a nice size double door cupboard above my fridge - it is

> > warm (cuz of the running fridge beneath) Could I place them in the

> > cupboard - or would that be too dark???? COuld I even place them in

> > the cupboard with the doors open on the cupboard?? Would that maybe be

> > a good place for my brews???

> >

> > 1 More thing - I am a smoker - and I thought the cupboard may guard

> > the SCOBY from smoke chemicals as well. The kitchen is the safest

> > room where we do not smoke alot in it.... But I know it travels thru

> > the air and can cause mold also.

> >

> > I am down to a pint after dumping last nites 2 gallons - and the more

> > i read I don't even think it was mold in there in the 1st place - but

> > i was too afraid to wait and see. SO I really don't want my next

> > couple brews (or any really) to screw up on me.

> >

> > Please help me

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Just relax Cori

Pretty soon you will have bottles all over the pllllace in different stages,

especially when you start with the Kefir.

Just have fun with it, to me it is an " inexpensive hobby " .

I understand when the weather gets nicer that it will be a whole new myriad

of problems... I live in the tri-state area NY NJ and PA, so looking forward

for nice weather so I can air this place out.....

I've learned over the years " go with the flow " have fun with it, if you

think you've made a mistake, think of it as a larning experience...

Of course it is OK to worry if that is your tendancy...

p.s. I had a whole box of Lipton Tea bags grow a really nice speciman of mold

(ugh), So I now keep tea bags in a glass closed jar....

Just keep having fun with it...

Sandee

sian jones wrote: i brew mine in my airing

cupboard it's the only warmish place in the house

i leave the door closed and it's fine

sian

bunnysnugglee wrote:

Do u think if i leave one or both cupboard door open it would work

out?? I cannot see MUCH smoke traveling in there. What about air

cleaners to filter out cigarette smoke - like maybe place them in

cupboard - doors open and an air cleaner in front of the doors???

Am i worrying too much??

Thanks

Cori

> >

> > You may have read my mold post on the group site - I am leery of where

> > to put them now - I am literally in a panic over this. I read to put

> > it on the fridge but when i moved in there was a older fridge that I

> > use - it had mold along the rubber that seals the doors - I bleached

> > it repeatedly but it left stains - I haven't noticed any further live

> > growth tho - Could it spread to my SCOBY if the jars are placed on the

> > fridge - or should it be ok???

> >

> > OR There is a nice size double door cupboard above my fridge - it is

> > warm (cuz of the running fridge beneath) Could I place them in the

> > cupboard - or would that be too dark???? COuld I even place them in

> > the cupboard with the doors open on the cupboard?? Would that maybe be

> > a good place for my brews???

> >

> > 1 More thing - I am a smoker - and I thought the cupboard may guard

> > the SCOBY from smoke chemicals as well. The kitchen is the safest

> > room where we do not smoke alot in it.... But I know it travels thru

> > the air and can cause mold also.

> >

> > I am down to a pint after dumping last nites 2 gallons - and the more

> > i read I don't even think it was mold in there in the 1st place - but

> > i was too afraid to wait and see. SO I really don't want my next

> > couple brews (or any really) to screw up on me.

> >

> > Please help me

> >

>

[Guest guest]

>Thanks Vickie -

Hi Cori... there is a confusion going on about names here. There are two

people on the list with " " in their email " from " address, one who

signs her posts as " Vickie " , who is not me, and one who signs her posts as

" V " who is me. I don't shorten my name to that nickname form.

Ever since Vickie joined the list there's been some confusion that I'm not

sure quite how to address, but since I take responsibility for everything I

post, I don't want to be confused for someone else, even someone who is as

caring and knowledgeable as Vickie is.

>For now I have 2 gallons brewing in 3

>-1gal jars - so i have ample air room for the babies.

You really only need 1.5 inches of space above the SCOBY (not counting the

narrowed neck of the jar). You're probably leaving more airspace than you

need to, which cuts down on efficiency. Happy mediums, we're seeking here.

>I placed them on

>a shelf it a spare room (son's toy room) and are keeping the door shut

>at all times. If i have no problems i will most likely keep them there

>- it is just I will worry when he is in there that they will get

>bumped - He is almost 12 so he knows not to go near them.

I think that sounds like a great solution. Even if the jars got bumped

once, all it would mean is a possible increase in the fermenting time

required because the brew would have to resettle itself and start again--

which happens even in " perfect " conditions. I can't address the question

on air cleaners.

I really think you are worrying too much. As a practiced worrier who works

hard on recovering from it, I say that it is very important to sort out

one's priorities and only worry about what really needs worrying. One way

to do that of course is to seek information, which you are doing, and which

I hope will allay your fears and allow you to relax.

It really bugs me that people publish silly rules like " always on the

refrig " and " black tea only " and I sure wish they would amend their

websites. It causes such unneeded stress.

--V

~~~ There is no way to peace; peace is the way ~~~~

--A.J. Muste

[Guest guest]

>Thanks Vickie -

Hi Cori... there is a confusion going on about names here. There are two

people on the list with " " in their email " from " address, one who

signs her posts as " Vickie " , who is not me, and one who signs her posts as

" V " who is me. I don't shorten my name to that nickname form.

Ever since Vickie joined the list there's been some confusion that I'm not

sure quite how to address, but since I take responsibility for everything I

post, I don't want to be confused for someone else, even someone who is as

caring and knowledgeable as Vickie is.

>For now I have 2 gallons brewing in 3

>-1gal jars - so i have ample air room for the babies.

You really only need 1.5 inches of space above the SCOBY (not counting the

narrowed neck of the jar). You're probably leaving more airspace than you

need to, which cuts down on efficiency. Happy mediums, we're seeking here.

>I placed them on

>a shelf it a spare room (son's toy room) and are keeping the door shut

>at all times. If i have no problems i will most likely keep them there

>- it is just I will worry when he is in there that they will get

>bumped - He is almost 12 so he knows not to go near them.

I think that sounds like a great solution. Even if the jars got bumped

once, all it would mean is a possible increase in the fermenting time

required because the brew would have to resettle itself and start again--

which happens even in " perfect " conditions. I can't address the question

on air cleaners.

I really think you are worrying too much. As a practiced worrier who works

hard on recovering from it, I say that it is very important to sort out

one's priorities and only worry about what really needs worrying. One way

to do that of course is to seek information, which you are doing, and which

I hope will allay your fears and allow you to relax.

It really bugs me that people publish silly rules like " always on the

refrig " and " black tea only " and I sure wish they would amend their

websites. It causes such unneeded stress.

--V

~~~ There is no way to peace; peace is the way ~~~~

--A.J. Muste