Recent content by BlackFurnaceBrewing

That is a nice get off of Ebay! All my fermentation, including starters, takes place in my basement which stays 52 to 57F depending on time of year. A heated stir plate is a must for me. I have a Yeast Forge from Digital Homebrew a could not be more pleased with it. I have a 3400ml...

Waiting for the ole HLT to come up to temp, so thought I would update on my yeast ranching experience. I have been freezing yeast since last november with phenomenal results. I have 8 different strains right now in a small dorm-sized freezer that is used just for yeast and hops. The yeast...

I love my Yeast Forge. It is heated: http://www.digitalhomebrew.com/yeast-forge

I have spent more on equipment than what two lifetimes worth of beer would have cost me. While I am the extreme, I have never actually met anyone that has saved money homebrewing. Wine- yes, beer - no.

Excellent advice. Much appreciated.

If you get to the point where you can taste the bourbon, you have overdone it, IMO. You should only really have a "hint" of it, if that. The oak should impart some vanilla, which will vary with maturity and then age (my bourbon stouts spend 180 days in the secondary). After great...

I guess I have only seen that for large competitions, not anything that would be considered somewhat "local" to me. Are there ones I could ship to and still get great feedback without getting lost in the numbers so to speak?

If you could, let us know what you end up getting. I would be very interested to hear your experience/impressions of whichever scope you end up with.

Wow! Impressive set-up. Also, thanks for the info on the pipettes. I have been in search of some micros and they look like just the ticket.

My problem is that I live so far away from any "local" competitions, getting to one requires a commitment to a day of travel or more, plus whatever time I'm there. I can easily get into an overnight stay. But, as it is feedback I am looking for, I may just have to bite the bullet.

I know what you mean. I certainly would not have designs on winning, but thought the journey might be worthwhile.

Anyone planning on entering the National Homebrew Competition in a few weeks? I would love to enter my raspberry wheat and my Kolsch. Unfortunately, I am not on my "A game" as of late. A serious brewery upgrade has advanced my capabilities technically, but set back my brew quality as I work...

I would always encourage someone to buy the best microscope one can afford. You will certainly be able to tell the difference between an Olympus and Amscope any day of the week. That said, if all you are doing is cell counting, then the additional money spent will likely not be worth it to...

Another Amscope that will do what you require. I have been very pleased with it: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VTUD8SQ/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I had the same issue as the OP before expanding to do 8 and 10 g batches on a setup with one 15g BK, one 10g HLT, one 10g MLT and two 10g igloo CLT's. Works like a charm, thoogh my "chokepoint" is always the 10g MLT. Everything else will handle whatever I throw at it. (To be completely...