Recent content by jd-santaclarita

Hi All - I finally got my zymatic and did a test run with the pale ale it came with. Things went ok, still learning the basics of the unit and cleanup, etc, along with getting back into brewing. I dont see a lot of information about picobrew recipes and kits and I assume theres some recipe...

Hoping I get my Zymatic refurb sometime soon. Wanted to get a few recipe kits ready to go and wanted to make sure I start with some solid known good recipes. I'm in socal, where do most folks get recipe kits for the zymatic? (assuming there online already configured to scale for the zymatic)...

Hi All - Hoping to get some quick advice/validation. I used to be way into brewing, built a big 20g 3-vessel rig, ended up downsizing a few years ago down to a 3gal single vessel electric BIAB setup as I NEVER have time for a long brewday and dont need 20g anyhow. I then went the direction of...

Hi All - I'm starting to feel a bit broken hearted. I noticed my kegerator, chest freezer wasn't that cold, yet the little "on" light is on constantly (and i can hear the compressor, etc). It gets an ice layer around the back top few inches only, whereas it never iced up before as i keep it...

Hi All - This may sound like a basic question but for some reason i'm not finding a clear answer. I'm looking to understand what the strike temp should be for biab smaller batch (3gal). Not sure if batch size has any bearing or not. But searching around and diff calcs, ive seen it from using...

Hi all - I know its a rough area to try to grow hops, but we've finally got the land to do it and I really want to give it a shot. I'm 30 miles north of austin. My property is covered in oaks and cedars, so I was thinking "maybe" i could plant them under some tree cover and let them work their...

I'm looking to start automating some of the recipe/mash setup type of functions and wondering if theres any tools that deal in json format to make it easy to deal with downstream. For instance, I'd like to save a recipe file as json in git, then fire off a script to grab some of the important...

Thanks. I ended up trying it out today. Connected up my 40A SSR to the RPi (3vDC+ input on SSR to RPi gpio pin 14, DC- on SSR to RPi GROUND pin). SSR connected to 120v power that feeds a receptical. Toggled the RPi pin 14 on and off to turn my garage radio on and off. Seems to work. I'm...

I was hoping someone could help me understand what is needed for the RPi to drive a 20 or 30amp SSR. I haven't been able to find a simple writeup on the topic and the info I have found is all different methods. For instance, I've seen someone on this board use a Jeera output plug option as...

I'm hoping it can handle transferring hot work from the boil kettle straight to the vittles vault as I was planning on doing this for no-chill brewing. I believe they are HDPE. Anyone do this before? If so, do you seal the lid up tight or leave it a bit loose until cool so it doesn't implode...

I picked up a vittles vault today. Does anyone know for sure if they can handle hot wort? I seem to remember that given they are hdpe they could handle it, but I cant seem to find anything on it. Does anyone know if you can transfer the wort right after the boil flameout? Thanks, JD

I was wondering if there is any downfall in fermenting in a standard stainless 5gal stock pot with its glass li? I'm doing 3gal batches, so 5gal seems fine. Do you need a tight seal or is a lid good enough as it will allow head pressure to escape if it builds up too much. I seem to remember...

I remember looking at the vittles vaults a long time ago and seemed the consensus was the gamma seal is an issue that makes cleaning too hard. Is there ways around that these days or a non issue? The size of the VV's would be great as I can get 2 high in the fridge. Thanks, JD

Hi all, I am trying to figure out a better fermenting vessel strategy to meet a few of my newer brewing needs listed below and hoping you all may have some ideas as my searches have made me more confused than ever. 1. I'm trying to maximize the usable fermenter area in my Haier Wine Cooler...

Hi All, I am hoping to get some advice on a simple control box for controlling a 1000w bucket heater that will be used to fire up my 42qt kettle for 3gal batches. Initial goal is to use it to get my strike temps up to speed without much of my involvement of babysitting temps. Secondary goal...