Recent content by Peterlovesbrew

I bought a cheap cabinet at Lowe's deep and high enough to fit a 6.5 gal carboy plus airlock. I then cut out rigid pink insulation and glued it inside. I bought a Johnson controls temperature controller. The chest is in my basement where the temperature is a steady 58 degrees. I use an electric...

I seem to break hydrometers regularly. Tile floors and glass don't mix well. My newest is off by .002 and it drives me crazy. I simply adjust my readings, based on a reading I took with water at 60 F. The problem with returning it for a new one is that the new one may be off as well.

Thanks very much. You all make make good points. I may paint the ceiling just so no loose plaster falls into my brew pot. Plus scrape the obvious crud from the sink, for aesthetics more than anything.

I am moving to a new house that has an old 3 bay concrete sink in the basement. I am thinking of setting up a brew room near the sinks. The sinks are old and somewhat nasty. Any thoughts on my plans? Can these sinks be cleaned up enough to reduce the risk of contamination? My concern is that...

Ditto on brewing alone. I brewed a batch of amber Ale on Saturday by myself and it went like clockwork. The time before I had 6 friends over to drink and eat bbq while I brewed and it was a chaotic, hectic scene. The beer came out fine but I was exhausted. Fortunately I could drink myself happy...

So, you think time might heal it? Fortunately I have some good IPA ready to drink. And an amber ale on deck.

Actually, it is the other way around. Pellet hops are stronger than whole. Most recipes assume pellets unless specified. Add about 10% more if you are using whole hops.

I bottled this Irish red 2 weeks ago and just tasted it. It is cloying sweet and a little cidery flavored, plus not too clear. Grains & Adjuncts 1.00 lbs Munich Malt 4.00 lbs Pale Malt, Maris Otter 3.00 ozs Caramel/Crystal Malt - 40L 3.00 ozs Caramel/Crystal Malt -120L 2.00 ozs Roasted...

When you say " oxyclean" are you referring to "Oxiclean", the branded product used for laundery stains? Or something else?

I brewed up a brown porter on Saturday. Hit 1.051 on the nose. It is fermenting nicely: a beautiful chocolate brown.

The Igloo industrial 5 gal is working well. I added a valve and bazooka screen purchased from Williams, which fits perfectly. The cooler retains heat well. I like the interior gallon markings. The cover does not stay down all the way. It closes enough to keep heat in, although I do put a...

The Igloo industrial 5 gal is working well. I added a valve and bazooka screen purchased from Williams, which fits perfectly. The cooler retains heat well. I like the interior gallon markings. The cover does not stay down all the way. It closes enough to keep heat in, although I do put a...