Recent content by Clonefan94

My wife got me the Beer Advent Calendar this year from Aldi. I haven't really dug into the beers yet. I did drink the Wernesgrüner Pilsner since it was the day 1 beer and I also had the Boot Tread, because the Belgian Amber Ale sounded like it would hit the spot last night when I got home from...

My initial thought was yours, when I purchased the GF, cold days, days I was busier around the house, so I could have access via the app. I thought on nice days, especially in the fall and spring, that I would still go to the propane system for the joy of brewing outside. Well, I haven't touched...

IMHO, for that price and with a dedicated space, it would be worth grabbing the system. Of course, if the $1K isn't an issue. I guess one way to look at it, what would that larger system give you that the GF doesn't? Right now, if I were to move to a 3v system, it would strictly be to do 10...

For me, it really depends on what you mean by cost and space. If cost and space weren't an issue, I'd have to have a dedicated brewery room. Strictly for brewing, cleaning and fermenting. If that were the case, I probably would have a 3v system. Right now, I don't have a dedicated brew space...

I dump loose. Then when I go to transfer, I sanitize a piece of paint strainer bag and a rubber band and put that around the dip end of my auto siphon.

You have to exchange the bottles pretty regularly, but I have had good luck putting the fermenter in a large garbage bag along with two frozen gallon milk jugs of water, right up tight agains the fermenter. Then wrap a couple of towels around that. I swap out the ice jugs every other day or so...

Sorry for the late response, I didn't get a chance to check in until now. Brew Your Own has a good page on calibrating hydrometer, just do a google for "Hydrometer Calibration" and look for the link (should be the first one). They give you formulas and actually a specific solution for 1.048. I...

Maybe this is stupid and you did this already, but considering this is the beginners forum I will ask. Did you calibrate your hydrometer? I have been brewing for about 6.5 years now. I have had my same hydrometer that entire time. As you may guess, since I still have it, I take very good care of...

I keep forgetting to add mine on for this year. 2161 + 5 American Amber + 5 Pale Ale + 5 IPA + 5 Pilsner + 5 Another American Amber. + 5 Another Pale Ale = 2191

This is the plan of action I would take. Ferment in two separate carboys. Keg the one and let the other one sit. As long as you don't expose it to outside air after fermentation, it would be a pretty stable environment, I would think.

I have one bucket that I've used since I started brewing 7 years ago. The key is to clean them ASAP. I run hot water in them, do a good wipe down with my hand to get most of the gunk out. Then a little PBW and warm water and clean with a sponge. The only other time I replaced a bucket was when...

My limited experience with the GF so far has been the same. I did the drill method and a paddle, now, I just use my large stainless spoon and give it a couple of times around then just recirc. I don't know if the spoon helps at all, just a thing I've always done to get things moving, so it works.

Woops, I swear, I went through the thread twice looking for the response. Sorry about that. Thank you for alerting me. And this was before I started brewing/drinking today. I guess I should have had at least one beer before I came here to post.

I would check around, local homebrew shops, welding shops, wherever you get it filled. I received two free 10lb. tanks years ago, so I just keep exchanging them when they run out. My local HBS though, has exchanges for 20 lb. for $20, that's about $10 less per refill than my 10 lb. tanks run. I...

I'm asking this as well about the pump. I'm pretty mechanically inclined, but my GF is still under warranty, so I don't want to start taking stuff apart that doesn't need it. I've had my GF less than a year, but I've been brewing for over 7 years, all grain for about 6.5 of those. So I know how...