HappyDrunk

Recipes 

I can't help it. I see these posts all the time where someone says the same things I'm saying now, i.e. first batch .. brew day tomorrow ... etc., etc., and I've read the responses. So I always thought I wouldn't do that, but I just got all my equipment, and now I can't help myself.

I just got all of my equipment, and a Brewer's Best Imperial Nut Brown kit. I brew tomorrow. I read the instructions, and re-wrote them in my owns words as follows:

12:00
1. Boil water in pot for 1 hour to "passivate" it (I have an aluminum pot)
2. Sanitize primary w/ 2 gal. mixture of one step (shake well, with cap on)
3. install spigot on bottling bucket and make 3 gal. one step
4. throw all utensils (including carboy cap from primary) in bottling bucket w/ sanitizer, pour some out through spigot and funnel to sanitize funnel

1:00
5. After boiling water for 1 hour, empty, then add EXACTLY 2.5 gallons
6. as water is heating, add grains to grain bag

1:20 (or whenever water reaches 155)
7. When water reaches 155, add grains for 20 minutes.
8. WATCH temperature level carefully, do NOT go over 165

1:40
9. Remove grain bag WITHOUT squeezing, but let all the liquid drain back into the pot
10. Bring to a boil, and immediately start running the LME bottles under hot water
11. WHILE STIRRING, add 2 bottles LME, 2 packages of DME, and maltodextrin
12. KEEP STIRRING

2:00 (or whenever full boil is achieved)
13. Once BOILING, then add bittering hops

2:40
14. After 40 minutes, add flavoring hops

2:55
15. After 15 minutes add aroma hops

3:00
16. After 5 minutes add finishing hops

3:30 (or whenever wort reaches room temp)
17. Cool wort to 70F, then add to fermenter
18. Add enough water to make 5 gallons, NOT MORE - use hydrometer to get desired SG of 1.071-1.075
19. Pitch yeast
20. Aerate well
21. Install cap and air lock, attach air lock to cup of vodka

So there's that. The times are mostly approximated, but I'm OCD like that. I would appreciate anyone reviewing those steps and pointing out any glaring mistakes before i make them tomorrow at 12pm CST, and/or answering the following questions:

1. Should I use a blow off valve? I really want to for the first few days while fermentation is really active just in case the stuff hits the fan (or the ceiling), but have no idea if it is necessary despite reading 987349587349 posts about that EXACT subject.

2. The directions say to add enough water to make 5 gallons, but to be careful to avoid a volume that will cause the OG to fall out of the normal range, and to use a sanitized hydrometer WHILE adding water to monitor SG. Do I just drop the hydrometer in there, and let it float up? Does it float? My understanding is that it does, and I can leave it in there during the entire fermentation process. But wouldn't it get covered with krauzen, and become unreadable? Maybe just leave it in there while adding the additional 2.5 gallons, and then take it out. But then after a couple of weeks to take a reading, I would have to take off the top to get a sample. Wouldn't that be a problem - taking the top off the carboy once a day?

3. Should I re-hydrate the yeast? This is another one of the things I've heard different answers on, and I'd much prefer skipping that step. Tell me if I'm wrong.

4. The directions never say to remove the hops prior to transferring to primary, but the guy at the LHBS said to. When do I remove them?

I know all of this information is on this site, in these forums. I have read and read, and learned a TON! Still, there are sometimes conflicting answers, and would love to hear from any of you who want to help me or just wish me luck!

Dr_Jeff

Recipes 

Aerate, then pitch
A properly set up blow off tube with a bottle is just as good as an airlock and is an airlock for that matter.

tim2akat2

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remove pan from heat and then add the LME or it may burn on the bottom of the pan.

HappyDrunk

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WHEW! Good catch!
I think I will use a blow-off for the first few days ... cheap vodka sound good for the liquid? Does surface area matter?

HappyDrunk

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My directions say to boil the entire thing, add LME, DME, and Maltodextrose and return to boil for an hour while adding hops. I think that's why it says STIR WELL so much.

jeffd10

Recipes 

Happy,

You've layed it out, now its time to play it out...My ADHD prevents me from reading your entire post. your OCD will help you become an Awesome brewer...

1. what size is your fermenter (5 G) Use a blowoff 6.5 go w/airlock

2. Quarter/half Gallon over is totally not the end of the world you are working with LME so there will be variences.. get all your water in there then take a reading... remove hydro, (dont get in there all the time) there will be a bit of C02 layer to protect the beer. Go 14 days take reading, wait till day 17 take reading, lol on day 21 take reading ...if its all the same. Bingo it's go time !!!

3. Always rehydrate (1/4 cup -3/8 cup) warmish water..your yeasties will thank you !!!

Clearly I am no Pro, HD but I think these are safe ideas

Cheers Jeff

__________________
Tap 1: My Keezer Broke
Tap 2: All Hail Ming Imperial IPA
Tap 3: Working out of a 19G Bucket

Carbing: Bright Spot's TBPA
Carbing: Better off Dead (Red) (A ride into Hoppyness)

Sunnyside Ave Brewery

Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.

— Charles De Mar

Dr_Jeff

Recipes 

I use a 3/8 inch diamter hose that I picked up by the foot at Lowes and a Gatorade bottle, the skinny one, with a hole drilled in the cap for the hose and several small holes for vents, vodka is fine, as is distilled water, or sanitizer.

HappyDrunk

Recipes 

1. 6 Gallons .. in between.
2. Thanks! That's what I pretty much thought.
3. Alright ... I'll rehydrate. I didn't want to deal with it, but I have heard the pro's for doing so.


Thanks so much for the quick response! I'll post and tell ya how everything went tomorrow evening if you're interested.

HappyDrunk

Recipes 

Yeah, the guy at the LHBS pretty much said the same thing. I have the tubing and some cheap vodka, so using a blow off is a pretty strong possibility. Maybe I'll just watch it real close and switch to one if necessary.

jeffd10

Recipes 

+1

__________________
Tap 1: My Keezer Broke
Tap 2: All Hail Ming Imperial IPA
Tap 3: Working out of a 19G Bucket

Carbing: Bright Spot's TBPA
Carbing: Better off Dead (Red) (A ride into Hoppyness)

Sunnyside Ave Brewery

Go that way, really fast. If something gets in your way, turn.

— Charles De Mar