Recent content by jdubb75

I usually let the volume of the wand create headspace in my 12oz bottles, but if I'm filling 22's I'll pull it about an inch from from the top. That combined with the displacemnt of the wand seems to create headspace more in accordance with what I see from commercial craft beers.

Go to Northern Brewers website and look at their extract ale recipes. You can narrow it down to just see the IPA's if you want. They post detailed instructions/recipes for almost all of their kits. You can find one you like and just order the ingredients you need to add to the 2lbs of DME you...

If you topped up and didn't stir the wort this is why your readings are off. It takes a lot of stirring to get everything mixed well enough to get an accurate reading.

You are straining hot wort before its cooled?

I've made bigger beers without a starter and they turned out fine. I'm not saying its the way to go, but it's definitely doable. Wyeast smack packs are supposed to be okay for direct pitching up to 1.060 and you'd probably be fine with a packet of dry yeast. If you are using a vial of White...

Search for "stirstarter" on eBay. It seems like the cheapest one out there and I've read good things about it on here. You can also find it on Bells' homebrew site for a few dollars less ($39), but I don't know what they charge for shipping. FWIW, I've made starters without a stir plate and had...

Congrats on the new setup, MF. Enjoy it!

Is that a glass demijohn? How many gallons is that?

Well, yes...kits don't seem to recommend carbing to style. The just throw in a packet of corn sugar for bottling. It seems like 5oz in a 2.5 gallon kit is a little much though. I would be wary of those bottles.

I figured that because any amount of trub clogs it immediately. You are right...it is a pos. At least it is not suited for use as straining wort. I say to the OP...try it both ways. Strain a batch and don't strain the next. See what works best for you and go with it.

I'm a little curious about this myself. Usually kits are packed just as that...kits. Everything is pre measured and ready to use.

I tried to strain once. It kept clogging the screen in my funnel so I ditched that idea. I had 5 ounces of hops pellets in my brew kettle and some of them made it into the primary, but it was no big deal. After a primary of 3-4 weeks any hops or trub will be buried under the yeast cake. I also...

You could use either or both of those in just about any IPA or APA.

If you're not brewing a beer that needs to condition or age for several months, I would just leave it in the primary for 3-4 weeks. I've went as long as 6 weeks in primary with no ill effects. I've also read where some have gone several months in primary and haven't had a problem.

YES! I could have used a little advanced warning, myself.