Recent content by Derek

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Kristen said: "The most important thing about the guidelines are for whatever styles we choose to have there must be commercial examples readily available. There is no point in having an exercise in education if you can't actually taste a beer thats brewed to that style. Make sense?" I...

Currently Toronto... moving to Kelowna.

So after 9 days I threw the fresh-pressed cider on that cake... 1.045 to 0.997... that's 107%AA :eek:

After 2 more days (total 9), there was still a dense head on top (though not quite as much, or maybe it just compacted?). Anyway, I scraped it back and the beer underneath was clearing. The haze was gone, but there were still some clumps. The taste didn't have that yeasty twang either, so I...

I did a SMaSH (single malt & single hop) using only 2-row pale malt. I didn't want it to finish too dry, so I mashed at 158F (which probably cooled to 156F over the mash time), and relatively thin at 1.75 qts/lb. It went from 1.055 to 1.018, I was surprised I was able to get the apparent...

I wouldn't leave any fermenter on hardwood floors... even if it doesn't overflow, it can sweat. The last place I rented was left with all kinds of circle marks, like someone had flower pots that leaked out the bottom. :D Thankfully I learned that leason, before I bought my own place!

The problem is probably the walls compressing together. That inner wall is pretty weak. Some idea's for a long-term solution: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/no-leak-mlt-bulkhead-design-87197/ If its been leaking, chances are there's wort between the walls (which probably smells rancid)...

Initially I considered just filling the space, but I think using the spacer (with or without filler) is actually a better idea. The two walls typically aren't parallel (the inner one typically slopes in). The inner wall on the xtreme cooler had a lot of curvature around the factory spigot as...

Harley03, What efficiency are you getting? Since I've got the same tun & manifold layout, I'm very curious. I was hoping for 80%. I got 77% (after boil) on my first brew, but I mashed a little thin (1.75qt/lb) & didn't compensate with the sparge volume (I didn't realize the grain bed was...

The problem with fibreglass resin is that can generate a lot of heat and it cures from the inside out. So it would shrink away from the walls as it dried. It would also be very permanent. The RTV silicon is food safe, has minimal shrinkage, and should seal it up as well. But it's pricie...

I think it would definitely be best to have some sort of an insert to ensure that the surface is flat for the o-ring seal. The shedule 40 pvc is 26.67 mm OD and 20.42 mm ID. I've got a friend in a machine shop, so I think I'll have something machined a little sturdier (brass or stainless...

Continuing on in the more appropriate thread... https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/no-leak-mlt-bulkhead-design-87197/index2.html#post1511717

Okay, I cut a slot in the bottom of the xtreme & removed the insulation from around the recessed area. {There's not turning back now!} I think I could wedge a spacer in there, but I'm wondering if it would be better to just fill that whole section with something that'll harden up? Fibre glass...

I'd "like something a little snazzier" than Denny's design. :D I do see one problem with the coleman 'xtreme'. The space between the walls is really thick, and even with a 2" nipple, I don't think I could get the o-ring off the threads & onto the smooth part. If I spaced it out (#2 washers...