I THINK IT'S AS COLD OUR WAY AS IT HAS BEEN YOUR'S LATELY. BUT AS COLD AS TEMPS HAVE BEEN BACTERIA IS NO CONCERN.I LIKE TO DUMP THE FIRST DAY OF JUICE , (WHICH IS MINIMAL) BECAUSE I TO USE A BLEECH RINSE AND WONDER ABOUT TASTE IN SYRUP COME SPRING THAW. SOME SAY METAL SPOUTS WHICH ALLOW MORE OPEN AIR TO ATMOSPHERE CAN ALLOW MORE BACTERIA GROWTH OVER THE TAP AND TUBBING ,WHICH IS HOW I STARTED.