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Author Topic: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?  (Read 6798 times)

Offline liquidbrewing

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What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« on: August 19, 2012, 03:42:56 pm »
It's not a major change, but the last thing I've done is only using distilled water for my sanitizer.  I know this is not a big thing, but I was wondering what the last thing big/small, that you guys did that you feel helped your brewing. 

Sound off!
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Offline tygo

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2012, 05:09:18 pm »
Hmm, good question.  My actual brewing system has remained pretty static for awhile now.  I guess the last thing I did to upgrade was to add a couple of stirplates to my arsenal.

I think the next thing I'm going to work on is getting a pump to help me move the wort around and to whirlpool when chilling.
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Offline tonyp

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2012, 06:42:13 pm »
i recently purchased an aeration stone/wand and I saw a def improvement in fermentation speed
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Offline erockrph

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #3 on: August 19, 2012, 06:50:17 pm »
I've started using my swamp cooler even when ambient temps are in an OK range. I find that this helps keep the initial spike in temp under control as fermentation takes off.
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Offline sparkleberry

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2012, 06:54:48 pm »
i got a chest freezer and tcd. loving the results. for my recent birthday i picked up a grain mill and o2 wand but haven't had time to use either yet. hoping next monday! and i just read about starsan and distilled water here today so i'm totally doing a small batch tomorrow when i brew. excited to hear this helps it stay good longer!

cheers.

ryan
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Offline Pinski

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #5 on: August 19, 2012, 10:30:33 pm »
Refractometer; makes it much faster to take readings during the brew session.
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Offline Pawtucket Patriot

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2012, 05:30:43 am »
Learning about water/mash chemistry and applying what I learned to my process.  Now I always hit my desired mash pH and my water flavor profiles really help my beers shine.
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Offline davidgzach

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2012, 05:53:18 am »
Bought a mix-stir.  Sure beats a whisk for aerating!

Ha!  No pun...... ;D

Dave
« Last Edit: August 20, 2012, 05:58:05 am by davidgzach »
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Offline jamminbrew

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #8 on: August 20, 2012, 05:58:23 am »
Making starters. I am impressed with how quickly I get activity in the carboy... Usually less than 1 hour.
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Offline mtnrockhopper

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #9 on: August 20, 2012, 06:19:31 am »
Adding a water filter to my brew stand.
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Offline beersk

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #10 on: August 20, 2012, 06:26:50 am »
Learning more about water chemistry, for me, was also a big step. 
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Offline davidgzach

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #11 on: August 20, 2012, 06:56:31 am »
I have to say though that the most recent upgrade that has had the biggest effect on my brewing is converting my chest freezer in to a lager fermentation vessel.  I can now ferment 4 lagers at a time which is awesome.....

Dave
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Offline euge

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #12 on: August 20, 2012, 07:24:23 am »
My last change in procedure was to eliminate two pumps from my regular brewing activities. I got rid of a sub-pump used to recirc ice-water through my IC in the warm-weather months and the march pump for general recirculation and transfer of wort.

Now I just use frozen 20oz PET (soda) bottles to chill the wort down to ale or lager temps. Have found it to be more effective and just as fast if not quicker in cooling the wort down to desired pitching temps!

Through these changes I have accomplished savings in time and effort and have removed the need to make ice, and use a cooler/bucket, two pumps and corresponding hose. I no longer have to move, hook-up or clean these particular pieces of equipment. Also there has been a reduction in mess and spilled wort or water.
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Offline davidgzach

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #13 on: August 20, 2012, 07:32:26 am »
Quote from: euge on August 20, 2012, 07:24:23 am
My last change in procedure was to eliminate two pumps from my regular brewing activities. I got rid of a sub-pump used to recirc ice-water through my IC in the warm-weather months and the march pump for general recirculation and transfer of wort.

Now I just use frozen 20oz PET (soda) bottles to chill the wort down to ale or lager temps. Have found it to be more effective and just as fast if not quicker in cooling the wort down to desired pitching temps!

Through these changes I have accomplished savings in time and effort and have removed the need to make ice, and use a cooler/bucket, two pumps and corresponding hose. I no longer have to move, hook-up or clean these particular pieces of equipment. Also there has been a reduction in mess and spilled wort or water.

Euge, that is a great idea.  How many bottles does it typically take?  I assume just a good spray of StarSan?

I was about to buy a pump to make a recirculating ice bath.  Just saved me $100 and a lot of time......

Dave
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Offline nateo

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Re: What was your last change in your procedure that you feel was beneficial?
« Reply #14 on: August 20, 2012, 07:53:13 am »
Big change - chest freezer/controller for fermenting.
little change - quit trying to emulate water profiles, took a minimalist approach to water treatment.
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