Messages

136

All Things Food / Re: anybody have a weber?

« on: March 09, 2012, 07:40:02 AM »

Check craigslist. I see quite a few used ones on there from time to time that might be half the price.

+2 on this. +2 because I bought both my Webers on craigslist for less than half the cost new and they both were/still are in like new condition. I have one propane Genesis and the other is the Performer propane fired charcoal grill. The guy I bought the performer from was selling it because he said the propane part didnt work anymore.  I sanded the spark plug and it worked fine.  I love both these grills.

137

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: Why I brew

« on: March 02, 2012, 09:15:49 AM »

I brew for my love of beer, which is the same reason that I cook for my love of food.  I agree about being over critical about brewing(and cooking) and although I brew mainly for my taste, it’s a great feeling when someone else is enjoying what I’ve made. Brewing also has given me an appreciation of all beer styles and the techniques of making each of them that I would have never gotten by just drinking them….and as cheesy as it may sound, it’s almost a spiritual or therapeutic thing for me on brew day.

138

All Things Food / Re: Chicken pot pies :O

« on: February 24, 2012, 06:53:10 AM »

Have you tried a roux?  It seems to work for me, and I haven't had any issues with freezing my pot-pies.

+1  I usually make roux thickened pot pies from what's left over from a rotisserie chicken from Costco and whatever veggies I have available.  I use the individual portion pie aluminum pans to make the pies and then freeze them for later. Basically take them out of the freezer and pop them in the oven to reheat. I think they last for a while before breaking down, but the pot pies usually don't last long enough to find out.  Mmmmm pot pies.

I also agree, the secret is in the crust, which is better when homemade, and for me I prefer the crust on the top and the bottom...although I have made the poor mans version with stretched out Pilsbury tube dough baked on top. 

139

All Things Food / Re: Espresso Machines

« on: February 21, 2012, 01:12:34 PM »

I'm a little leary about buying some bigger items.  I’m afraid of getting burned.

Oh c'mon, as long as you're more careful than the McDonalds coffee lady, you shouldn't burn anything

Careful is something I am not very good at. At least she got a lot of money. I would just end up with a burn in an uncomfortable place. 

If you're willing to spend that kind of money, get a better grinder and an espresso machine. If you don't want to get both now, just get the grinder and use the stovetop, press pot or drip until you can get the espresso machine. That said, a friend went with the Rancilio Silvia/Rocky grinder combo 5 or so years ago and is still happy as a clam. I have a Gaggia Baby Class that I'm very happy with, but I do just black espresso, no steaming. I might not be as happy if I used the steamer, I dunno. Also, I did have to replace the solenoid valve, which was pretty cheap and easy to do.

Thanks for the info. I'm about 99% of the time black espresso. My wife likes Cappuccinos. I talked about the Silvia/ Rocky combo with her and we probably will buy that or get the machine and check Craigslist for a grinder. Personally I would use the stovetop one and put the money for a new machine towards a good beer engine.

This forum is great for advice(and great comments) for just about anything! Thanks for all the responses.

140

All Things Food / Re: Espresso Machines

« on: February 16, 2012, 10:53:40 AM »

I know that craigslist in my local area always has coffee shop equipment listed...you may be able to score a deal on something there.

Craigslist is great.  Thats where I bought the Sanyo fridge I mentioned....and the one I use for fermentation…and a bunch of other stuff.  I didnt think about equipment from coffee shops. I'll have to check it out.  I'm a little leary about buying some bigger items.  I’m afraid of getting burned.

for actual Brands, I own a Rancilio Silvia. I got it with the grinder and some other stuff (it was a gift set) for $1000, but the machine itself was about $600. I have had it for about 2 1/2 years, and it is still going very strong. It pulls a great standard shot or double, and I haven't had any issues with the boiler or pump malfunctioning. We did have 1 small problem with the boiler not heating up, but it was an emergency switch that occasionally flips if you leave the boiler on too long, and the fix was simply pushing a button with a screwdriver.

I bought it from www.wholelattelove.com, which has a lot of good information and useful reviews.

Thanks for the info. That’s one of the machines I am really considering.  Is it as particular with the grind as some of the reviews say?  I have burr grinder but its not that good.  I’m afraid of the slippery slope thing. First its low end machine, then a better machine, then a better grinder…..manual espresso maker…roasting own coffee…growing own “ingredients”….Wow that’s not a familiar pattern at all. 

141

All Things Food / Re: Espresso Machines

« on: February 15, 2012, 02:02:02 PM »

Automatic,  semi or manual?


This site has a lot of good info: http://www.seattlecoffeegear.com/

Thats a good site. Was just checking it out. Thanks for the info. Im looking for a semi automatic. Although I would love a manual one, that’s not just making an espresso, thats an art and far beyond me.

I have two espresso machines sitting in my garage.  They have been modified to pour cold beer through the portafilter.  We used them at the conferences in Oakland and San Diego, and will again at the conference in Seattle.

In one we pour a stout through coffee grounds and straight into the cup, but it gets pretty foamy because the pump is running (but the boiler is disconnected).

In the other we pour an IPA through hops and into the glass.  This one comes out much less foamy - it's a different machine that lets you push the beer through with just CO2 pressure.  We found that whole hops work much better than pellets, the pellets clog too easily.  There is a definite impact of pouring the beer through the hops, although it is fairly small which isn't that surprising considering the short contact time.

Not exactly what you are talking about, but still cool.

Now I know what I’ll be doing with our old machine. I’ll just put in on top of the Sanyo fridge that’s been waiting in my garage for over a year waiting for me to make a kegerator out of it….

142

All Things Food / Re: Espresso Machines

« on: February 15, 2012, 12:44:38 PM »

I also use the stovetop model. Makes a nice 16oz mug of espresso.

Ha! no kidding I usually make a double on the machine every morning before work. I like the stovetop too, but my wife's not so into it...our stovetop model makes 6.....its a shame to waste it....so I have to drink it. 

143

All Things Food / Re: Espresso Machines

« on: February 15, 2012, 12:35:06 PM »

Thanks euge, I didnt really specify $s. 500-1000 budget is what i would consider midrange for just the machine, no grinder. Our original was cheaper, but I would like a better one.

144

All Things Food / Espresso Machines

« on: February 15, 2012, 11:00:53 AM »

I dont post a lot here, but I do read a lot of them, and I know there's a bunch of people who love and know a lot about all things food.  Our faithful espresso machine crapped out after 7 years. It was nothing fancy, an older Krups Novo. It made some good espresso every day and multiple times a day on the weekend.  I'm using a stovetop one now, but I would like a new machine. Any suggestions for a midrange semiautomatic machine would be appreciated? 

145

Commercial Beer Reviews / Re: Ommegang

« on: February 13, 2012, 09:41:12 AM »

I tried their Abbey Ale for the first time in a long time and it was better than I remembered it. Nice dark fruit taste.  I also had Hennepin more recently and I remembered it being better.  My wife and I went to the brewery in Cooperstown in 2000. It was a cool place to see a Belgian brewery without having to travel far.

146

All Grain Brewing / Re: Maris Otter

« on: January 27, 2012, 11:43:59 AM »

Isnt most common available Maris Otter fully or well modified? I thought unless a large part of the grain bill wasnt fully modified or was unmalted you wouldn't do a protein rest.  Wouldnt it lead to a thin beer? I ask because I am brewing a dry stout with Maris Otter and a lot of unmalted grain and plan on brewing a bitter with mostly Maris Otter.  For the stout I plan on a protein rest and there will be no rest for the bitter.

147

Equipment and Software / King Kooker

« on: January 19, 2012, 10:03:16 AM »

Can anyone tell me anything about this King Kooker

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00264G584/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_2?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000O3MX62&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0NX8FPKXWPPEE6W7NZTQ


I'm thinking of(and my wife is hoping i will be) moving my brewing completely out of the kitchen. I would use this for my mash tun and hlt and my sp-10 to boil the wort. It would be like a poor man’s brew structure.  It would be nice to not have to lug a pot full of hot wort from the kitchen to the burner outside.  Any better suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

148

General Homebrew Discussion / Re: 2 batches ruined

« on: January 12, 2012, 11:11:23 AM »

I don't know what Santa Rosa uses for water treatment but another thing to consider is just switching to useing all RO water from the store, it only adds ~5 bucks to the batch cost and is a real piece of mind. If you are doing all grain you would have to get into water chem a little but with extract RO works just fine.

I switched over to using only bottled water because I had two batches in a row taste like plastic. I never had a problem before, I'm guessing our town switched how they treated the water.  I dont even use tap water for cleaning.  Unfortunately one of my batches was for my daughters Bday.  My BMC friends seemed to like it.  Any Ill effects for using Campden?

149

The Pub / Re: Beer Hunter: The Movie - Kickstarter

« on: January 12, 2012, 11:08:48 AM »

Thanks for posting this link.  My friends and I used to go to a tutored tasting with Michael Jackson in Philly every year.  I truly miss those. I'm looking forward to the DVD and Tshirt.

150

Equipment and Software / Re: Replacing O-ring on Brew Kettle Spigot

« on: January 10, 2012, 08:02:14 AM »

I switched over to a kettle for my mash tun instead of my cooler. There is an Oring on the outside and inside.   I fiddled around with valve for a while while water testing it and it kept leaking. I finally gave up, got it to leak minimally and used it for a batch and it stopped leaking.  It hasnt leaked since.  I also never remove it because I dont want it to leak again.