Messages

1

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What is your favorite music to listen to while homebrewing?

« on: March 08, 2013, 04:22:41 PM »

radioparadise.com  You never know what's coming, but so many times I've just stopped what I was doing to listen.

2

Equipment and Software / Re: Kegerator Thermostat Help (Adjustment Screw)

« on: February 18, 2013, 02:59:07 PM »

3 cornies and a CO2 tank will fit and leave room for some bottles.  If there is a drain plug in the bottom, put something under it to protect the carpet.  When the humidity rises in the summer, its typical to have some water in the bottom.  And then there's always beer leaks   I've had the drain plug leak before, just be careful.

3

Events / Re: Conference website

« on: February 05, 2013, 02:06:23 PM »

The hotel's 3rd-party registration site began giving the AHA rate a 9am on 2/1.  Several of us from my club got the 26th-30th that morning.  Don't know how widely that was known, but it explains the quick sell-out.

4

Equipment and Software / Re: Where to get specialized faucet adapters

« on: January 31, 2013, 07:54:50 AM »

I think the faucet the OP is talking about is one of those where the faucet pulls out on a hose and can switch to a spray pattern.  Those do not have the standard faucet thread with the aerator that unscrews for the Fermtech adaptor.

If getting the parts is impossible, consider putting a tee in the line under the sink for a garden-hose connection.

5

Equipment and Software / Re: Garage Setup

« on: January 31, 2013, 07:47:56 AM »

I have a similar setup to yours.  My garage has three windows and two garage doors.  It is insulated and drywalled with a room above and GFI outlets.  I've been brewing in it for years.  My basement laundry room is on the wall of the house that the garage is attached to, so from the start I ran a hose from the laundry sink to the garage for chilling.  Last year I added a SS mop sink with hot and cold water.  The drain line is an open-sight drain into the laundry sink.  I had the plumber put cutoff valves on the incoming water in case of cold.  I'm in Maryland and the garage hasn't gone below 40F with the windows and doors closed.  I don't even try to keep it clean, though, with two cars coming and going. The sink has been great, but might not work in your situation.

6

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Fermenting Temperature

« on: January 27, 2013, 11:53:49 AM »

The beer will be fine from the temporary cooldown.  You didn't mention what kind of fermenter, but you don't want a spotlight shining on a hoppy beer.  It will get skunky.  I put dark T-shirts over my carboys if their not in a dark room.  Buckets don't have that issue.

7

All Grain Brewing / Re: Adjusting gravity with DME

« on: January 22, 2013, 09:33:19 AM »

I have decided to make some adjustments to my process, however. I'd much rather overshoot my gravity and add topoff water than undershoot and have to add DME.

Diluting your gravity also dilutes your IBUs.  Noted hophead Mike "Tasty" McDole intentionally undershoots and adds DME to every brew.  He buys DME in 50-lb bags.

8

Kegging and Bottling / Re: 1 step closer!

« on: December 07, 2012, 03:07:09 PM »

My garage serves as a walk-in cooler for the next couple of months.  I'll have a couple of overflow kegs out there.  Some years I have to step up my drinking come spring.

9

Ingredients / Re: Storing HOP Pellets

« on: December 07, 2012, 02:56:32 PM »

The foil doesn't just block the light, it provides an impervious oxygen barrier.  If I had foil bags for my vacuum sealer, I'd use them for long-term storage.

10

Equipment and Software / Re: Sparge for Picnic Cooler Tun

« on: December 03, 2012, 08:26:12 AM »

I've been very happy with the Blichmann auto sparge.  I gravity feed my sparge water and pump from mash tun to kettle.

11

Equipment and Software / Re: Minimum Amps Required For Simple RIMS Setup

« on: December 03, 2012, 08:20:15 AM »

A 240V/4500W element driven at 120V will give you 1125W of heating.  You won't be happy with this if you want to step up the mash temperature.  I know from experience with that exact setup.  I'm going to either upgrade to 240V (need new 240 GFI outlet) or go with a direct-fire mash tun.

12

Equipment and Software / Re: Digital refractometer

« on: December 03, 2012, 08:12:23 AM »

Far from a piece of crap, that is way overkill for homebrewing.  A purely optical model such as those sold at most homebrew shops will do the job for half the price.  It does look like a nice toy, though.

13

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Help me improve my process (Pictures!)

« on: November 26, 2012, 12:24:51 PM »

I would never put ice cubes made from my tapwater in my beer. My tapwater has so much chlorine in it that I consider it undrinkable.  I don't know how much chlorinated water it takes to get that phenolic taste, but I just wouldn't risk it. 

If your ice cubes are made from good water, never mind.  Just something to check.

14

Equipment and Software / Re: Better way to rig my mash tun filter?

« on: November 19, 2012, 08:02:19 PM »

I have the same type of setup, but with no hose clamps.  The tubing is long enough that it fits snug between the two barbs when the false bottom is seated.  I've used this mash tun for hundreds of brews over the years and never had a problem with the tube coming loose during a mash.  For cleaning, I turn the cooler over and the false bottom falls out.

15

Equipment and Software / Re: Experience with Kegco Kegerator and/or BeverageFactory.com?

« on: August 31, 2012, 11:30:27 AM »

Nothing to say about the kegerator, but I've had good experience with Beverage Factory.  I wouldn't hesitate to buy from them.