Recent content by fakeghostpirate

It works pretty well. The flow rate drops off at 200 degrees but is still adequate fo use with my plate chiller. I don't think it is powerful enough to use with a whirlpool type setup, but it works well for recirculating the mash. I bought two and made a manifold to run them parallel. I...

i think it will

Yes. The plastic dip tubes are a smaller outer diameter than the stainless ones. That flange is less than 1/16th of an inch thick it doesn't really put much additional pressure on the spring. If your keg doesn't seal without the dip tube you could toss in a stainless washer, but mine work...

It looks like you have a pump from your drawings. Why the three tier system? Also you could use the burner for the BK for the steam generator to avoid using the cooktop since you probably won't be stepping or heating the mash while you are boiling your wort.

I have found a couple kegs with plastic gas dip tubes. You can toss them and the keg will still work fine.

I've mashed about 13 to 14 lbs in my 5 gallon mash tun with three batch sparges. To get around a 1070 wort. But that was pretty much maximum capacity. I've since switched to a 10 gallon cooler.;)

you can count yeast with a microscope, but to look for contamination it is better to plate some samples. I think you would need a oil immersion lens somewhere around 400x

PBW works well.

Yeah, it's only rated to 200 degrees. I'm just going to see if it will be suitable. From the material specs it appears it will as long as the motor doesn't overheat. But hey, what's 12 degrees really...? Here's some information on the housing material; KYNAR PVDF THERMAL PROPERTIES...

I think your idea about reboiling might be a good one. Since it seems that the yeast aren't doing anything, it would insure that anything else won't be able to get a foothold. Plus then you can aerate and pitch enough yeast to ferment. How's it taste/smell?

I just bought a march pump of ebay for $12. They are new and have a Krayton (sp?) housing. Rated for up to 200F temp and pump 3 gpm. Looks like they don't have threaded fittings though. Thought I'd give it a try though seeing as it's 1/10 the price of an 809 or other model. The item number...

Do any of the brewers using aluminum kettles have couplings welded in them. I assume you would have to use an aluminum coupler and get the pot TIG welded. Is this correct, or can you weld SS to Aluminum? In the same vein does someone know if you can braze aluminum? thanks

that's how they measure copper tubing. By outer diameter. 50 feet for 5 gallons of wort is plenty.

What type of stopper are you suing in your carboy? The rubber ones are porous and can harbor bacteria that is almost impossible to get rid of once it is established. The plastic universal ones are much better as far as sanitation goes.

Anyone know anything about bravo hops? They smell similar to Chinook but I thing they are around 15% AA. I have a couple of oz's to try out and I'm looking for any info I can get before I decide on what they will be used for. Thanks