Recent content by BrewPuppy

granted, if you are using barrels of coolant, then maybe vodka is too pricey. for smaller systems though, a few PLASTIC bottles of cheap vodka will do the trick. grey goose and absolut need not apply! shame that the anaconda/trunk is in storage. helluva build.

The trunk build is awe inspiring. well freeking done! In the future, go with vodka as a coolant. If it leaks, it is no big deal to clean up. It won't freeze at normal freezer temps. you are dealing with temps well below its evap temp, so vapor lock is not a concern.

okay, so shaking works great. problem is my back is not what it used to be. i had just bought an aquarium pump and stone to relieve my back from shaking duty. i also figured the pumps were better. back when i used to exercise a bunch, i had a really bad high ankle sprain. as i healed, the...

I would suggest 1/2# lactose at bottling. Lactose is partially fermentable, so the later you add it, the more of the sweetness you keep. The recipe I am trying: primary (10 days): 5 gallons apple juice 2# brown sugar 4# frozen mixed berries Yeast (I am trying American Ale Yeast, just...

EdWort, I am considering using a tankless water heater or small tank water heater myself, also to eliminate the HLT. My concern is the max temp that these inexpansive bad boys can put out. All of the units I have inspected (HD and Lowes, so far) have a max temp cut out below 170 degrees F...

is there an equally inexpensive alternative?

So I am contemplating buying new pots for AG brewing (HLT and BK). I found some that are normally used for turkey fryers. they are SS and the 36 Qt. pot is $70. (http://bayouclassicdepot.com/1036_stainless_steel_pot.htm) my worry is that the pot's wall is too thin/weak when a bulkhead and...

8# sounds like too much for a hefe, but that is just my opinion. last thing...fructose (fruit sugar) is yeast crack. they love the stuff and can just about fully ferment it. the more fruit you add, the drier your beer will be. with 8#, i imagine you will be approaching champagne-ish dryness...

Lessons learned... I added 4# of fresh strawberries to my favorite hefe recipe because SWMBO likes fruity beers. I quartered them after a good rinse (one at a freaking time!) under the kitchen faucet. Then they were tossed into a pan of hot water (just enough to cover the fruit) and...

i know that only the threads outside the cooler need the teflon for sealing. the teflon on fittings inside the cooler is for ease of disassembly. i've had parts gall together in the past. an ounce of prevention...

slight variations on the design: 1. my Igloo cooler had a rather large spigot seal, so I added a 5/8 washer used for the hot water line on a washing machine. it seals around the nipple and snugs right up to the inside of the cooler. 2. i saw the solution of adding a barb + cap to the end of...

I have tried three recipes. One was Mr.RootBeer kit that we got for my son as a Xmas gift. It turned out great. The next two were using the Rainbow extract from the LHBS. Both batches had an overwhelming unpleasant aftertaste. I took a bottle to the LHBS and they confirmed that the taste...

I go to 25psi and roll the cold keg quickly back and forth on the floor (gas in port on top) for 10 minutes. I disconnect the CO2 and it goes back into the fridge (without discharging any CO2). The beer is ready to go the next day. I have also just let it sit that way in the fridge for...

sometimes those buggers (poppets) need a little encouragement to seat. I don't know if this is a good idea or not, but I was having hell with one and I solved it by: 1. loading up the poppet with lube to "start" the seal. 2. adding about 1 gallon of hot water (not boiling) to the keg. 3...

Keith, To get your cork out: take a sturdy cloth napkin and roll it into a tube shape with the corners making the ends. fill the bottle most of the way with water so that it is easier to fish the cork. slide the napkin into the bottle, fish the cork into the napkin tube, and pull it on...