Recent content by Judge

I've had this happen occasionally. I fiddle with it for a few days and can't find any leaks anywhere. I have no explanation other than some beers take longer to carb than others :confused:

Yes. Ditto.

Sounds like it went reasonably well. Efficiency might be a tad low but perfecting the process is part of the fun...gives you a reason to brew again, and again, and again...

A fancy big $$$ brewing rig is nice but certainly not necessary. I used the zappap for my first two AG batches. Worked well but I had a hard time keeping the temps steady even wrapped in an old sleeping bag. I've never tried the BIAB method so I can't comment. Check Craigslist for stuff. I...

Agreed. They are expensive but mine does triple duty (brewing, in the kitchen, at the grill.) That's how I got mine.

Moving to warmer area upstairs = good. Flipping bottles = meh, but it makes you feel like you're doing something to help. My 1.050 pale ales carbonate in 2 weeks. ALL of my 1.060 stouts have ALWAYS taken 6 weeks. To (loosely) summarize Revvy's article: Time + temperature + patience =...

Yes, some water conditioner products do contain "slime coat" substances but not the one I use. I haven't grown a third eye or started pissing blood and the beer has always been fine, but the folks sounding the alarm have gotten me curious. I also wonder what the big-name breweries use to...

That's exactly why I'm asking.

A little chemistry help here please... The aquarium dechlorinator I use, Sodium thiosulfate, is Na2S2O3. Campden tablets are sodium metabisulfate which is Na2S2O5. How much difference do two oxygen atoms make? The link provided by mvolz says the two are "closely related compounds...in terms...

Good point, but at what concentration is it harmful? I don't know what the concentration is when used at the recommended dosage. The MSDS for sodium thiosulfate seems to indicate it is less toxic than chlorine. However I could find nothing that either approves or prohibits consumption by...

Chemistry is the weakest part of my brewing skillset. The bottle is labeled "Tap Water Conditioner". It says safe for fresh water and salt water. I have a tank full of African Chiclids (Bi-Color 500s) that are now in their 8th generation using this water treatment. I have to assume it is...

The label says sodium thiosulfate and EDTA terrasodium salt. Six drops per gallon to break the chloramine bond and remove chlorine. Costs about $3.00 per bottle at PetSmart and lasts 25 or so batches. Again, it may not be "best practice", but it has always worked for me (and the fish).

I had always used Wyeast 1028 for my English style beers until I recently tried WhiteLabs 023. WhiteLabs 023 Burton Ale (same as Wyeast 1275 Thames Valley) gives off a slightly sulphury aroma & taste. This has become my yeast-of-choice for English IPAs and ESBs. I recently did a 10...

Bigger is better. This is one of the major investments you will make pursuing this hobby. Get the biggest pot you can afford and actually overspend a little if necessary. And don't fear the aluminum!

Okay, this may be heresy and y'all may run me out of town, but...I dechlorinate and dechloramine my brewing water with aquarium water conditioner drops...never had a problem.