Messages

1

Equipment and Software / Re: Propane burners and soot

« on: September 16, 2011, 02:43:06 PM »

I think I have the same burner you are talking about. I have found that turning the propane up as high as possible then adjusting the air intake is the only way to keep the soot down. I still have some soot, but not as much as when I only have the propane is not at full throttle.

I am looking at the Blichman burner with 24" legs to use with my brew kettle, and use the little knock-off to heat up strike/sparge water. It isn't as hard to clean the 5 gal kettle as the 15 gal kettle.

2

All Grain Brewing / Re: Batch sparge water won't fit?

« on: September 16, 2011, 08:06:42 AM »

That seems feasible to me, as long as the addition doesn't disturb the grain bed.
Add it in slowly like you would when you vorloft, or drain a gallon or so of wort stop the run off, add the last gallon, mix in, vorloft, and then finish the runoff.

Good luck!
Dano

3

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Something to concider

« on: September 16, 2011, 07:59:50 AM »

are there such things as co2 detectors? if so could one be rigged to s big a$$ vent fan to kick on immediatly if the concentrations get above a certain key level? I am thinking more of commercial situations where, as Thirsty Monk says he's got 300lbs of CO2 in his 1000sq ft space.

Thirsty Monk's best bet would be to contact a local HVAC (Heating and Air Company). They would know the local codes and be able to hook him up with a detection system and auto vent. It might cost a few dollars, but it would be much better than a dead Thirsty Monk!

That being said, there are theses: http://www.instrumart.com/products/18180/ge-telaire-ventostat-series-co2-monitor that he might be able to hood up himself if he is a DIY'er.

4

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 9/16 Edition

« on: September 14, 2011, 01:33:02 PM »

Going for a second try at a Gruit on Sunday.

My first one was not so great. I forgot to change my equipment in BeerSmith and wound  up with 2 gal instead of 1 gal. It was waaaaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyyyyyyyy to tart to drink.

Equipment has been changed to a 5 gal kettle and BIAB. Same recipe and herbs.

5

All Grain Brewing / Re: Missing Mash Temps

« on: September 14, 2011, 06:42:36 AM »

Tubercle does what dmtaylor said...sort of.

 Infuse, check temp. Between 148 and 154? always.

 1 beer and cigar later start to drain.

The stress free life is wonderful.

I will have to try Tubercle's method some brew day.  Sounds like a pretty good brew day!
 

6

The Pub / Re: Howdy everybody!

« on: September 08, 2011, 11:55:22 AM »

Welcome Petey!

You're leaving OK after that lovely summer we just had? 

7

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Keg Cleaning

« on: September 07, 2011, 02:20:58 PM »

I haven't found a stainless dip tube that would fit as a replacement to the plastic, but I found the plastic ones here:
http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=376_1_3_79&products_id=1070
and here:
http://www.williamsbrewing.com/TAPERED-PLASTIC-GAS-DIP-TUBE-P2570.aspx

I ordered a couple extra just in case I broke one during cleaning or got another keg with one.

8

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Oldest pub in scotland?

« on: September 07, 2011, 02:12:10 PM »

Maybe it was.  Hobbits always seemed a bit Scottish to me.

9

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: What's Brewing This Weekend - 9/9 Edition

« on: September 07, 2011, 02:10:04 PM »

No brewing for me this weekend, even tho it is finally cool enough.
Class on Saturday and HBC (FOAM) picnic on Sunday. 

10

All Grain Brewing / Re: Using a grain bag for the mash......in the boil kettle.

« on: September 06, 2011, 12:52:32 PM »

Have you ever seen Alton Brown's "Turkey Derrick"?
If you are using a turkey fryer type you could use something like this to hold the grain bag for you.

Sure...but for a lot less money and effort you could also make a cooler mash tun.  I can see BIAB for small batches, but for normal 5 gal batches it just seems like more hassle than benefit.

I agree cooler mash tuns are much cooler!  I have only done one BIAB and it was for a 2 gallon batch.

But if you are going to fry turkeys and BIAB, AB has a good idea. 

11

All Grain Brewing / Re: Using a grain bag for the mash......in the boil kettle.

« on: September 06, 2011, 11:16:38 AM »

Have you ever seen Alton Brown's "Turkey Derrick"?
If you are using a turkey fryer type you could use something like this to hold the grain bag for you.

Edit to add link:
http://www.altonbrown.com/pdfs/AB_turkey_derrick.pdf

12

All Grain Brewing / Re: Missing Mash Temps

« on: August 30, 2011, 06:24:18 PM »

.... brew and learn!

That, sir, is a good motto! 

13

Kegging and Bottling / Re: Leaks suck!

« on: August 30, 2011, 06:04:36 PM »

Thanks! 

I should have done something. This is a new (to me) keg.

14

Kegging and Bottling / Leaks suck!

« on: August 30, 2011, 05:25:02 PM »

I kegged a beer and hooked it up to the gas in my kegerator. I checked tonight to see what pressure I had set it at and all the gauges were all at 0. 

Just Damn!

Had to vent! Now back to your regularly scheduled forum.
 

15

All Grain Brewing / Re: Missing Mash Temps

« on: August 29, 2011, 10:25:50 AM »

I don't usually do step mashes either. It was supposed to be a 122F protein rest, then a 154F Sac rest. I missed the step when I went from 122 to 154 and it came out at 145. The 15 mins was how long it took me to bring more water up to a boil so I could adjust the temp to 154F.

I know I don't need the protein rest, but sometimes I do it anyway.

Thanks for the reply!
Dano