Topics

1

General Homebrew Discussion / Two important lessons

« on: October 13, 2012, 12:47:32 pm »

Hey all! Long time lurker here with a cautionary tale...

Important lesson 1: Always do an equipment check. I was getting my mash tun ready to go, when I noticed something that would have most certainly put a crimp in my Coffee Oatmeal Stout. Any guesses as to what this little guy is?



Important lesson 2: Always buy doubles. I just replaced my cooler's line last brew, and bought enough tubing for another down the line. Turns out that "down the line" was today!

2

General Homebrew Discussion / So. Many. Hops!

« on: September 06, 2010, 01:38:19 pm »

So, I have a garbage bag filled with freshly picked hops.  I've given away all I can.  I've got no way to dry them.  I need to use as much as I can in a brew session.  I have a 7.5 gal boil pot.  How would YOU blow thorough the hops?

My idea was to get as many hops into the pot as I sanely could, and then skim them out and replace them every 10 minutes.

3

Equipment and Software / Regulator won't seal...

« on: March 23, 2010, 03:47:28 pm »

Does anyone else love it when the most simple things in life decide to stop working for you?

So I'm low on co2 for my kegging system.  I unbolt the regulator from the tank, and swap out the tank at the local fire extinguisher supply.  But now when I try to screw the regulator back on to the tank again, it won't seal tight.  I spray with star san and nice little bubbles come out from the seal.  I try undertightening... I try cranking on it as hard as I can.  I try using some keg lube.  None of this works.

Anyone have any suggestions?  Before I shoot the thing?

EDIT:  could a mod move this to the Kegging topic?  Must be too upset for basic reading comprehension.  Sorry.

4

Yeast and Fermentation / How Not To Make a Starter

« on: November 24, 2009, 11:46:36 pm »

I'm fairly thick skinned, so I haven't turned the heat on in the apt yet.  So, it's about 65 degrees or so.  I just smacked a pack of wy1968, and I was needing also to soften some butter to make some cookies, and I get an idea.  I turn on the oven for about 30 seconds, then pop the butter and yeast inside where it's more cozy.

Yep, you can probably see where this is going.

I continue on with dinner, and my girlfriend arrives with some surprise fancy breadsticks.  Great!  I'll pre-heat the oven!

About 3 minutes later, we hear a very loud POP!

The silver lining is that the smack pack ruptured on top, and didn't spray yeast all over the hot oven.  I can't imagine how that would smell.