Wow it's hot

[jwl]

I just got done with putting together a batch 60L of Birdwatchers wash and just for the heck of it 30 min after putting it together I checked the temp. It had gone from the starting temp of 32c to 45. I put wet towels and ice around it plus a fan trying to cool it down. It topped out at 47c before I got it down to the normal temp for birdwatchers (30c-35c) two hours later. My question is it normal for the temp to spike like this and did it kill off some of the yeast by getting so hot? Would I need to add a little more yeast?

[Dnderhead]

At low temperatures (0-10 C) yeast will not grow, but not die either. At temperatures 10-37 C yeast will grow and multiply, faster at higher temperatures with an optimal growth at 30 or 37 C (that depends on the species). At higher temperature the cells become stressed, meaning that their content becomes damaged and which can be repaired to some degree. At high temperatures (>50 C) the cells die.
basically the yeast is stressed,and can/will produce off flavors.

[jwl]

Thanks Dunderhead for the info. I just hope I was able to get the temp down before too much was caused. I don't want any bad tasting Vodka. I had enough of the when I was thinking turbo yeast was the way to go.
It plugging now along with a fan cooling at 28c. I check the sg every day and its doing as it should. I am a keeping my fingers crossed.
I live in a warm climate so I always put a fan on it to keep it within range. This time I had to use wet towels and a fan
to bring it back down. Never had to do that before. It really jumped up there. Do you have any idea why the temp would spike up like that? I sure would like to avoid it from happening again.

[Coyote]

Just my thoughts - you can do what you want.

Quit checking it daily, your risking an infection.

Let mother nature do her thing and check it after a
week or 10 days


Coyote

[jwl]

Now that brings up a good question how do you know if it gets infection? What do I look for?

[Coyote]

Excessive white film on top, or for that matter any white film on top in the early days of fermentation.
I have left mash for a month un-opened without a problem.

Resist the urge to play with it

Momma nature know what she is doing without your help

Coyote