Fridge steeping

[Susaz]

There's something that makes me uneasy about leaving a bottle without cap while steeping. Dust, crawlies, gives me the creeps. I put my just arrived bottles in the fridge. Oxidation is another issue, keeping them in a dark, cool place. All of you steep in the traditional way?

 

[Chakris]

I know how you feel, Susaz. I was rather leery at first about leaving open bottles out especially here in Bangkok. They have bacteria over here that has never made it across the big pond. Not to mention the dust, soot and bugs. But I finally figured that it couldn't be much worse than what I've been breathing in and flicking off for the last 25 years here. So Yeah, I steep pretty much in the traditional way. I have thought about making some sort of dust screen that I could cover them with as they steep, but haven't gotten around to it, yet. It's only two days once a month with the caps off, so....

Putting your juices in the fridge to steep slows down the process, so you'll have to adjust the time a little for that.

 

[ThunderPumpkin]

Cover the tops of the bottles with cheesecloth or similar -- no bugs can get in (not most of them, anyway), and the alcohol can still evaporate.

 

[Chakris]

Cover the tops of the bottles with cheesecloth or similar -- no bugs can get in (not most of them, anyway), and the alcohol can still evaporate.

Now why didn't I think of that. Great idea, ThunderPumpkin!!!