Are my grains crushed? - Page 3

mrgreen4242 · 01-29-2010, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidSteel

Definitely, I wouldn't have used them like that lol. I once read in my early-brewing days that one should only crack the grain. I don't really agree with that now & those barely look cracked. I would have rolled em pretty good.

Also, don't worry about the cap; you'll be good. It's nothing to stress out over. RDWHAHB

Ya, I gave them a good rolling and my steeping looked very dark and smelled very rich, so I think I had them crushed enough. I'm not too concerned about the cap. My hands were sanitized and cleaned and its not like the caps were covered in filth or anything.

My airlock had some gas in it this morning after just 6 hours, so I am hoping fermentation is taking off quickly and all is well.

I think I need to more it somewhere warmer, though. It's winter here and it's by a window so the temp looked down around 63degrees? Too cold?

wyzazz · 01-29-2010, 03:37 PM

Not too cold, at the lower end of the temp range for Ale Yeast. I'm fermenting my IPA at 61* right now. I think it gives you a cleaner tasting beer.

mrgreen4242 · 01-29-2010, 05:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wyzazz

Not too cold, at the lower end of the temp range for Ale Yeast. I'm fermenting my IPA at 61* right now. I think it gives you a cleaner tasting beer.

Thanks for the input. It should be warmer than that during the day when the temp kicks up a little (warmer outside and programmable thermostat) and not much cooler than 61 at night time...

**Jipper** · 01-29-2010, 05:51 PM

Be careful with that floating therm - we have stopped putting them in kits because they can break in the kettle, ruining your batch.

mrgreen4242 · 01-29-2010, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jipper

Be careful with that floating therm - we have stopped putting them in kits because they can break in the kettle, ruining your batch.

Funny you say that, as I actually ended up much preferring the long "lab thermometer" in the kit. It was able to get a reading much, much fast and was easier to read.

Maybe I can send the floater back for a refund.

mrgreen4242 · 02-03-2010, 05:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hoppus_Poppatopolis

Midwest has been a good supplier for me. I believe in giving people a chance to do the right thing. If they make good on your order, give them another chance. If they stiff you, you know what to do.

Well, Midwest hasn't even replied to ne yet... I will have to give them a call tomorrow, just so busy at work lately that it's a pain and frankly would rather deal with this via email - it's one of the reasons for doing business over the internet, I don't need to be free during the day. Definitely will not use their services again, though, regardless how this turns out.

The way I see it, they shorted me one item and blatantly lied to me to sell me another one, so ripped me of for about $7 (not the money that matters, but the principle). Plus failed to crush my grains and ignored my emails, which is just poor service.

At least my graff is bubbling along nicely, and smells awesome.

z987k · 02-03-2010, 06:12 AM

Ditch the floating thermometer. And if you are just steeping the grains, hell it hardly matters if they are crushed at all.