Messages

6166

Equipment and Software / Let's talk hop-bags!

« on: July 01, 2010, 11:03:44 am »

I've used them before but they were fine-mesh. Always floating... I tried weighing them down but still they floated. Wondered if there was any sort of decent extraction? The brew didn't seem very hoppy to me.

Considering coarse mesh or might even make some out of surgical sponges. Also have some "Leggs" knee-high stockings but they float too.

Is there a method and approach that is more successful that others?

6167

Equipment and Software / Re: Let's talk about pumps!

« on: July 01, 2010, 10:56:22 am »

Any prior experience with pumps and brewing? I just did my first batch with one last weekend and the main issue was clogging from the hops and hop seeds.

I'd suggest nailing that down before actually trying to brew since it will become a nightmarish hassle if you don't.

As it is when I get my stand built there will be two pumps as well.

Good luck- keep us (me) appraised since this is a primary interest at the moment!

Edit: " be become" is just plain bad English...

6168

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Geeking out a little...........? Party and MY BEER

« on: July 01, 2010, 10:48:38 am »

I like that the homebrew has been more popular than the commercial beer. And it isn't over the top with geekyness- in fact it appears perfectly normal and logical. However this may be influenced by that fact that I myself am a geek...

Love to have some of that lager.

6169

Equipment and Software / Re: Water and RO system

« on: June 30, 2010, 12:34:57 pm »

I installed an undersink Whirlpool RO unit from Lowes for about $150 which is used in conjunction with a Whirlpool whole-house water softener. I measured the ppm of the RO water and it is about 15 ppm of sodium. Not something I'm going to worry about with that concentration.

The RO water gets used to dilute my local water in varying percentages. Since I can only get 2 gallons at a whack out of the storage tank, buckets are used to store the water until the desired volume is reached.

The flip-side is that the RO unit is only about 9% efficient so for every gallon filtered 6 goes down the drain as effluent.

Still cheaper than buying gallon bottles of bottled water from the store.

6170

Yeast and Fermentation / Re: Windsor yeast

« on: June 29, 2010, 09:17:24 am »

I picked up a handful of Windsor yeast packs from Danstar. Never used it before and the LHBS' price was half that of the S-05 they were out of. My web search reveals that it finishes high.

What do you consider high?

I consider a beer to have finished "high" when FG is above 1.016 up into the 20's when it had the potential to finish much lower. Both of these batches show a final gravity of 1.020. Mainly it's a comparison to other dry ale yeasts such as S-04 and US-05 which in my experience consistently finish about 1.010- 1.012. However, at this point I'm entirely pleased with the results.

6171

Yeast and Fermentation / Windsor yeast

« on: June 28, 2010, 11:50:50 pm »

I picked up a handful of Windsor yeast packs from Danstar. Never used it before and the LHBS' price was half that of the S-05 they were out of. My web search reveals that it finishes high.

The stuff takes off voraciously. But then the krausen drops early leaving it a high finisher as for-told. On my second go with it the krausen rose and dropped within 30 hours of re-pitching.

Carbed- the 10 day old PA tastes great. There's some medium bodied fruitiness there but no harsh solventy or estery flavors. I was really worried about it being too sweet but it's all good! We'll see about this Brown ale after a few days...


.

6172

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brew house temps

« on: June 27, 2010, 03:18:12 pm »

Hey! It's 94F with an index of 98. Same as yesterday. Any thoughts of banging out another 12 gallons leaves me feeling flat. Time to drink not to brew.

6173

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Brew Shoes?

« on: June 27, 2010, 12:14:16 pm »

Non-slip.

I like sandals but then again I don't use carboys...

6174

General Homebrew Discussion / Brew house temps

« on: June 27, 2010, 12:12:20 pm »

Hot as hell. Reminds me why I don't like brewing during the summer. Not as bad as last year but bad enough.

6175

Equipment and Software / Re: New Homebrewer looking for the right starter kit

« on: June 27, 2010, 11:45:26 am »

bschold-

Jump on in!!

This is the minimum you will need to produce a batch of beer in your kitchen. I recommend this route for an absolute beginner because it's cheap and easy and a small commitment in equipment.

From the homebrew shop or online:

• Hydrometer $6
• Red-Baron bottle-capper $18.50
• Caps $3-4
• Autosiphon $8-10 (optional but will make life easier)

From the Lowes or Home Depot:

• Two five gallon buckets and lids $7
• Some flexible tubing 5-6'  $1.25

About $40-50 or so depending on taxes and whatnot.

You'll need a pot that'll hold at least 12 quarts but bigger is better. Eight quarts is possible but ill-advised.

Lastly, a copy of John Palmer's How To Brew is invaluable; however, his site contains everything you need to know: http://www.howtobrew.com/

But you might like this from Northern Brewer: http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/starter-kits/basic-starter-kit.html

The only reason I would buy NB's kit is the buckets are bigger and one is pre-drilled with a spigot, but you don't need that with the autosiphon. And the brush, fermentation lock and bottle washer aren't needed either.

Good luck and RDWHAHB!

6176

Equipment and Software / Re: Kettle and weldless valve

« on: June 27, 2010, 10:50:32 am »

Euge,
Good job on the weldless valve installation.  I like the pick up tube!  I need to do that, too. 

I remember looking at step drill bits at the local hardware store and seeing the price around $40-50!  No way, man!
I found it online for around $12.  Cuts like (cold) butter through metal.

Richard,

I did my first 12 gallon batch with it after a few test runs with water. Flow was great and really fast. Transferring hot water to the tun was awesomely easy.

However, doing a whirlpool with whole-hops didn't works so well. I figured the hops would set up a filter of sorts around the inlet of the pick-up tube. WRONG. Damn thing clogged immediately. Tried slowing it down etc, but no satisfaction. It was extremely frustrating but the session ended with the wort in the fermenters without major mishap.

Keeping the setup as it is will require the use of hop-bags. I'm tentatively leaning towards this but just don't like using them. Or, I could adapt some SS hose-braid much like my tun. So this setup has it's severe limitations but I learned a good deal about using the pump.




Any bright ideas guys? Anyone?

euge

6177

The Pub / Re: Royalty

« on: June 26, 2010, 11:29:47 am »

The British royalty are symbolic to be sure but the Queen has some real clout in Parliament as well as billions of $$$.

6178

Equipment and Software / Re: Kettle and weldless valve

« on: June 26, 2010, 11:23:11 am »

dak - i like the idea of putting the valve on the bottom of the bk but have you had any problems with heat damaging the valve?  I suppose i could actually make a fitting that connects to the bottom and runs out away from the direct heat a bit.

Envisioning what he has done, my only worry would be wort scorching inside the tubing that is in direct contact with the flame. Dak- what are your experiences with your setup as you've described it?

6179

Equipment and Software / Re: Kettle and weldless valve

« on: June 26, 2010, 01:08:34 am »

Just drilled my 7/8" hole... Had a fortifying drink and measured 17" down the inside and then 14" down the outside. This is where I drilled the hole. The hideously expensive step-bit went through the aluminum like butter. Really clean hole with no real burrs to speak of though I did hit it with a little sand-paper to smooth it all out.

Did a little soldering and it's all done.

Wow. So easy. It was time...

6180

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Aging beer and hot summer days.

« on: June 25, 2010, 10:27:59 pm »

We have hot Summers here as well. I recommend finding a cool closet to store those kegs off flavors could develop since the beer isn't pasteurized.

If the wife/GF won't let you bring the kegs inside I also recommend getting rid of her as well....