heating mat · Scoby · Feb 23, 2021

Selecting the Right Brewing Location for Your Kombucha

Picking a great location for your Kombucha brewing vessels is really crucial. The yeast and bacteria can feed off their environment, so location does really matter. This is particularly spot-on for your fermentation vessels, since they are sometimes covered by a breathable cloth.

Tips for Choosing the Right Location:

Good Air Flow

Avoid closed-off or dusty areas. Your SCOBY could pick up mouldy odours caused by bacteria living in enclosed spaces. Try to also avoid cupboards, especially if there’s the possibility of moisture/dampness accumulating in the space. Moisture + closed spaces = prime real estate for mould. It can often be difficult to spot mould growing in a dark kitchen cupboard. But if you have a mouldy cupboard, you’re not aware of, and you decide to keep your brew vessel there, that’s a really good way to get a mouldy brew.

Some people like to brew in closets or pantries. If they’re large enough and you open/close the doors regularly enough to promote airflow, that could work. But if you want to keep it in a closet with clothes, just remember that kombucha can sometimes smell a little acidic, so you’d have to be OK with your clothes possibly picking that up.

Stay Away from Direct Sunlight

It’s OK if your SCOBY/kombucha vessels see a little bit sunlight every now and then. The sun won’t immediately kill the bacteria. But we recommend avoiding prolonged exposure to sunlight because the sun can have anti-microbial/anti-bacterial properties — which is counterproductive to the bacteria-rich environment you want to promote in your brew vessel.

Stay Away from Harsh Chemicals

Don’t spray cleaning products near your brew vessels. Your SCOBY could absorb those chemicals, even in small amounts. This could eventually lead to your SCOBY dying or the symbiosis of your SCOBY getting thrown off because you’ve introduced chemicals to it.

Stay away from Houseplants

Certain types of bacteria or pests can live on your houseplant. It’s safest to keep your kombucha vessel away from plants, especially if they attract flies. Houseplants can also harbour mould and we definitely don’t want kombucha to be near something mouldy.

Common Brewing Locations:

The most common brewing location for home ferments is the Kitchen Counter, provided it is a few feet away from the stove to avoid fumes or splashes that could cross-contaminate the brew. If the counter is unavailable, other standard choices include a cupboard slightly cracked for airflow or on top of the refrigerator. Use caution when lifting jars of liquid as they can be quite heavy.

If your kitchen and pantry are simply a no go, it’s time to get resourceful however keep in mind that temperature is key so you might want to use a heating mat anywhere that isn’t kept warm year round. It’s also best to dodge damp locations which may lead to mould.

Home Brew Kombucha

Home brewing can be incredibly fun and rewarding. That’s why here at Karl Kombucha, we offer a range of products to help you get started and enjoy your very own creations!

Get a Kombucha SCOBY brewing kit today and start brewing your own Kombucha!