Recent content by Chesterbelloc

You know. I solved it. I was so lazy about the tiny leak -- always depending on burnt sugar to close it up -- finally set my mind on it. Takes some humility to realise I hadn't addressed this long ago. There's got to get be young brewers with the same question.

I've been brewing for like 20 years, but have never seen an answer on this: How do you put together a valve on to a standard boil kettle so that it does not leak?

That's a great idea!

Zero them. Assume they are like 8% and use a couple oz. Interesting to see how it comes out

Give it a whirl. Some people think vanilla smell is more significant than flavor.

Keep vanilla beans in your priming sugar. Prime with the sugar.

Proper protein formation .

Lots of people have to quit things before they are consumed by them. The problem is that stumbling, getting back up, and dusting yourself off is a reality we'd all be better off knowing. Describing this, I think a famous man once said, "As a dog returns to his vomit..." Meaning just that, we...

I ordered from them in past. A long time ago, I got a 10# bag full of weevils from there. Otherwise, they've been okay.

In the trades the first thousand hours or so, you're trying attain the title of apprentice. After that you're a journeyman. Rarely do you encounter a true master. I'd say if someone fulfills a certain curriculum, and has met the standards for 2,000 hours then he is a qualified apprentice...

I've given the idea of contacting a local brew club. I probably should -- I would improve no doubt. Just over the last 20 years I haven't ever joined one. When I first started brewing, I always brewed in a bag. It just made sense. It was like old school extract brewing -- using snow to cool...

Skimming is like picking your nose. Do it if you like it but don't wipe it on your sleeve.

And if you know the proper sequence of mixing vinegar and chlorine it's an excellent brewhouse general sanitizer Disclaimer: don't do this unless you know how read and follow directions.

Mix your Five Star sanitizers with distilled water into chemical resistant spray bottles. It will keep indefinitely. 16oz chemical resistant spray bottles cost like $3 or $4. 128oz of distilled water is like 80¢. Pro tip: Use a mL syringe to measure the chemical. 1fl.oz is about 30mL.

That heat stick works for you? Just plug right into the GFI on the countertop?