20 replies to this topic

[Slainte]

Looking for ways to keep the mold out...any suggestions?

[MyaCullen]

Looking for ways to keep the mold out...any suggestions?

damp rid is used successfully by many

[djinkc]

Yeah, damprid and check your seal. And just don't open it much. My brew/serving area is in the basement. Even before I restarted brewing we needed a dehumidifier for the basement during the warm months - that helps too.Is this for serving or fermenting?

[Mudd]

damp rid is used successfully by many

+1Then seal it.IMO: There are only two places the moisture can come from.Leaky kegsThe lid.Some will get in when you open the lid. Damp rid will easily take care of it.Unsealed or leaky tap/line holes. collars, etc. will alow a fairly coninius flow outside air in.The humidity in the air will condense inside the chest freezer.Good luck!

[Slainte]

Is this for serving or fermenting?

Both.Thanks guys...I'll have to give Damp Rid a shot!

[Brian72]

Where do you find Damp Rid? I've looked but never find it.

[BrewerGeorge]

Mine is the the garage. With the summer humidity here in Indiana, I always have a huge problem with this. I have a rechargable resin dehumidifier in there, but it doesn't seem to work very well in the cold. The best thing I've ever found is just to be vigilant about drying off the walls, sucking standing fluid out with with the shopvac, stuff like that.

[stellarbrew]

Is Damp Rid just a type of desicant?

[BrewerGeorge]

Is Damp Rid just a type of desicant?

Yep. Bed Bath & Beyond sells it around here.

[Given2fly]

Damp Rid is at Walmart, Lowes, HD...all of my grocery stores carry it as well. Shouldn't be hard to find.

[NWPines]

DampRid is nothing more than a pricey container of Calcium Chloride with fancy packaging. CaCl is commonly used as an accelerant for concrete. I found a 50 lb bag of "Cal-Chlor" for about $15 from the local concrete supply. I just keep a large plastic tub of it in my chest freezer and replace every few months. Works great.

[MyaCullen]

DampRid is nothing more than a pricey container of Calcium Chloride with fancy packaging. CaCl is commonly used as an accelerant for concrete. I found a 50 lb bag of "Cal-Chlor" for about $15 from the local concrete supply. I just keep a large plastic tub of it in my chest freezer and replace every few months. Works great.

I knew it was calcium chloride, but doddn't think of the concrete accelerant. Thanks for the tip. I am thinking oxy clean tub with a slit in the lid?

[Mudd]

I knew it was calcium chloride, but doddn't think of the concrete accelerant. Thanks for the tip. I am thinking oxy clean tub with a slit in the lid?

Good Cheese cloth and some rubber bands?

[Cliff Claven]

I knew it was calcium chloride, but doddn't think of the concrete accelerant. Thanks for the tip. I am thinking oxy clean tub with a slit in the lid?

Double stack a lg cottage cheese/sour cream container with a small one. They are usually the same size diameter, but different depths.Punch some holes in the smaller container to allow the liquid to drip.

[zymot]

I can testify to Dam Rid being very effective. I have it in my chest freezer and the condensation is almost nothing when I use it compared to not using it.Good to learn about the Calcium Chloride.Looking at the MSDS for damp rid, it contains:Calcium Chloride 77-80%Sodium Chloride 1-2%Potassium Chloride 2-3%Water 15-20%I have no idea if the Sodium Chloride & Potassium Chloride makes any difference in the homebrewer application.A 15 pound bag, at the rate I use it, that is a 10 year supply. I will choose the convenience of a small bag of Damp Rid on a shelf over saving a few dollars and storing a 15 bag of stuff.zymot

[BrewerGeorge]

How do you store the 15lb bag to keep it from sucking water from the air?

[MyaCullen]

How do you store the 15lb bag to keep it from sucking water from the air?

damn, good question. Watches for answer.

[NWPines]

Double stack a lg cottage cheese/sour cream container with a small one. They are usually the same size diameter, but different depths.Punch some holes in the smaller container to allow the liquid to drip.

Exactly what I do.

[NWPines]

How do you store the 15lb bag to keep it from sucking water from the air?

It's actually a 50 lb bag, which yes, is a buttload of CaCl. I split it with a few other brewers and keep the rest in a 5 gal bucket with a gasketed lid. Haven't had any problems with it. I'm sure it does absorb some moisture from the air, but it's still very effective in my freezer.

[zymot]

Around here, Flea Markets are selling Sham Wow cheap, like 3 for $5.00 and worth every penny.Those things do suck up liquid. I give my chest freezer a Sham Wow (hey camera guy, you following me here?) wipe down every so often.zymor