Recent content by GnarlyDudeBrewer

I recently found a 14 gal stainless tank that was used as a sand filter for a above ground pool. I was thinking about boiling two extract kits together in it and was also considering cooling with a chiller and pitching and fermenting in the same tank, that way I could just bottle out a bottom...

Thanks for all the information I am fortunate to have found this site. Well today was my first bottle day and I am left with only one question currently. What is the preferred amount of head-space for an ale. I have one of those plastic straws with the push valve at the bottom. I let the...

We had a warm spell and the house was getting up past mid 70'sF so I thought I should move my first ever brew (Honey Brown Ale with S-05 yeast) under the house where it was 57F. It had been seriously bubbling. Now I have a little pressure on the bucket lid, but no bubbling within the five...

Thanx. You'all know your brew-how, bubbling away now. Just waiting on mother nature.

I get up this morning after first brew day yestetday and no buubles through airlock. There is a little pressure though, it has pushed all the liquid to one side of the S style air lock. So something is happening. I can't help but worrying anyway, next thing to agonize over; since I sprinkled...

Thanks for all the suggestions, will put them in my database. Icebathed to 70, pitched, put on lid and airlock, resting in 65 degree room, time for a nap.

Thanks for the quick feedback. Wort in ice water now. I stir and check temp, down to 86 now. Getting back at it. Later

Started my Honey Brown Ale today and it took six hours from beginning make up water boil to in the fermentor waiting for 70degree to pitch. Had a boilover in last two minutes thinking I could pull up temp by covering, not too bad only took 15min to clean up that. Water bath in sink long enough...

Haven't had a chance to try the Mother's yet, but will soon. Springfield Brewing Co never did impress me, kinda had a metalic after-taste, per my palete. I always thought the brew at Bootleggers in Aurora, about 20mi. west was pretty tasty plus they try lots of new things.

How much almond or vanilla do you add?

Hey OldUR What is the oxygen bottle do for you? Is the bottle on the floor for Bow-off? Just trying to understand All of it.

That solves one problem. Now the next. Do I siphon the fermented beer from the fermenting buckets to the bottling bucket or gently pour? If i do siphon is the goal to siphon just above the bottom to minimize bits of trub from getting into the bottles? On a side note, I've read here that some...

Still over thinking my first brew to be boiled in a few days. I plan on doing a partial boil extract brew and pouring the wort into two different fermenting buckets (SO is not keen on much cash outlay, so I got free icing buckets from local bakery and they are only 4.25gal each) My question is...

So, I figured out I would prob need about 8 gal for a 5 gal batch on the kettle operation, but you think I'll need a fermenter that big as well? Most of the LHBS sell a 6.5G for fermenting, is there something newbies overlook that would more likely cause an expansion? Gnarl,

Been cruising these fantastic forums for a week now and joined today. I am putting together my game plan for gathering all my equipment on the cheap as possible route. I've learned alot here and will update when I'm ready to choose which style to start with on my first extract brew. Thanx