Recent content by Brewer_Steve

I would talk to it nicely and be sure to feed it hot wort at least once a month.

He really doesn't like "those people" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qGJv12V4nk&feature=player_detailpage#t=382s

Yeast doesn't dissolve. You can rehydrate it by mixing it with warm water, but it will not dissolve.

This wort is from the bottom of my kettle, so it is hopped. I pressure can it. If you don't have a canner, you can just freeze it in a plastic container, and then thaw it and boil it before making a starter. I prefer canned, since I don't have to boil it.

I saw a few flash boilers on here. I was planning to go that route back when I used to brew with natural gas. Now I'm electric, so this isn't an option for me. Thanks though.

Thanks for that link. It's confirmation that I am on the right path, and that my plan is actually feasible. I'm definitely leaning towards the HERMS system over RIMS.

I was thinking about mounting it in the bottom, using the same method that I used to mount it in my kettle. My only concern is that the bottom of the keg is rounded. I think I can make it seal though. Here's how I mounted it in the kettle...

Actually, on second thought you're right, monitoring the temp at the outlet of the HERMS coil is likely the best option. It *is* the temp that matters.

That's about half the speed I'd like, but I'll typically be using warmer water than 55F. I think I could get a reasonable sparge rate most of the time. Maybe... I was thinking of putting the temp probe to monitor the temp of the water in the cornie. My reasoning is that during the mash I'll...

Just a follow up. About a month ago, I tasted both beers. They were better than expected. I racked one onto cranberries and the other on raspberries. I'll taste them in a year and bottle them. The 2 pellicles: https://picasaweb.google.com/110805689138544775903/BeerStuff#5694933055113940290...

I have an idea for on-demand sparge water which I'd like to bounce off you guys before I spend too much effort playing around. I currently have a very simple electric setup. It's only 2-vessels. I have a MLT and a kettle. The kettle doubles as a HLT and BK. I collect wort from the MLT in...

That homebrew is almost as good as currency and can quite often be traded for favors or goods.

I work with computers. When someone is doing something wrong but blames the computer for their mistake, we call it a "Code 17". That means that the problem is 17 inches from the monitor.

Did you correct your hydrometer for temperature? 1.024 at 170F is about 1.049 after correction.

Great idea!