Yeast + Frost Free Freezer

[evanvine]

A short while ago somebody said you would be ill advised to store yeast in a self defrosting freezer as it would cycle through freezing and thawing.
I disputed this!
So I used one of my auxiliary weather probes to monitor the cycle in an "under the counter" self defrosting freezer.
The probe was placed in the same tray as the yeast and monitored for just over 4 days.
The general swing was -17C to -18C with the defrost spike going up to -15C.
Clearly this would not allow the yeast to thaw!



The graph clearly shows the defrost spikes.

 

[graysalchemy]

:clap: :clap: :clap:

Bloody yank sites full of conspiracy and misinformation

 

[PD]

not showing up any rain tho...... :lol:

 

[evanvine]

not showing up any rain tho...... :lol:

Your new avatar is a good likeness! :whistle:

 

[anthonyUK]

A short while ago somebody said you would be ill advised to store yeast in a self defrosting freezer as it would cycle through freezing and thawing.

Had that person considered that these freezers keep food perfectly well for 6 months+ :lol:

 

[brewtim]

The general swing was -17C to -18C with the defrost spike going up to -15C.
Clearly this would not allow the yeast to thaw!

What exactly is defrosting at -15 though, for it to be a frost free freezer?

(I agree about the Yanks, they always have to overcomplicate things and invent problems that don't exist and then find a solutions for the non-existent problems! Us Brits have been brewing tasty beer for hundreds of years with no problems)

 

[evanvine]

Try reading line 4!!!

 

[brewtim]

Try reading line 4!!!

OK cool

What I could deduce then is that the yeast is protected from defrosting for some reason, whilst the freezer gets on with the job of melting ice elsewhere!?! :wha:

PS I'm not disputing your disputing :thumb:

 

[evanvine]

In a non frost free freezer, it's only the chilling elements that frost up, I remember mine well.
Same with a non frost free fridge, it was only the icebox that frosted.

 

[brewtim]

In a non frost free freezer, it's only the chilling elements that frost up, I remember mine well.
Same with a non frost free fridge, it was only the icebox that frosted.

Thanks for the explanation, you have to wonder why these myths become so popular !

:thumb:

 

[saccharomyces]

Glycerine (a.k.a. glycerol) is a cryoprotectant that works like a cellular anti-freeze. It prevents ice crystals from forming on the inside of the cell walls. Even small cyclic fluctuations in temperature can affect a cryopreserved culture, which is why frost free freezers are preferred for cryopreservation. There are frost-free laboratory freezers, but they hold a steady temperature.

http://www.labcompare.com/10-Featured-A ... y-Freezer/

 

[evanvine]

You are no doubt correct, but frost free without glycerin works for me!