Recent content by pilot45

That is what I was thinking. I boiled for 40 minutes, not a full 60. I started with approximately 6 gallons (maybe a little more), and after the process was over I was left with way more wort than I had anticipated. The 40 minutes was at a constant rolling boil except when I removed from the...

I appreciate the advice regarding the carboy. I have had success fermenting 5 gallon kits in a 5 gallon carboy in the past, but that is when I did partial boils and topped them off. This was a full boil and I overestimated the amount of water I'd need. As for boiling the kit, I know that...

Thanks for the advice. I did put on a blow off tube last night. I figured I may have some serious fermentation by the time I got back from work today, and I wanted to avoid an incident with SWMBO. As far as my gravity reading is concerned, I pulled my hydrometer out of its little plastic...

did a full boil for the first time last night. It was a coopers all extract IPA. I started with 6 gallons of water thinking that I'd boil about a gallon off in an hour. Long story short, after I chilled my wort and removed the immersion chiller, I realize that I did not boil off a gallon. I...

I have a stout that has been in the primary for five weeks as of tomorrow. I ordered and expected a keg system over 2 weeks ago, but it has not come yet. When it does arrive, my Co2 will be empty, but I want to clean the keg and then keg ASAP. Here is the question, can a use a Co2 tank for...

Thank you for all the great advice. I am planning on auto-siphoning directly to keg, then I'll purge as stated and then try the shake bit. I'll let you all know how it turns out. :mug: Wildwest: SWEEEEET avatar!

Simple question, right? I read the stickies, and the advice varies. I just ordered a kegging system, and when it comes, I have a stout in the primary that I want to transfer directly to the keg and force carbonate. So, what advice is there about how to do this? I've read that you have to...

Encouraging news for sure. Perhaps I just need to wait longer to taste. What is the effect of putting the bottles in the fridge to condition? Will they condition, just at a slower rate, or will they not condition at all? I had them out for about 2 weeks, but it seems that the house gets too...

Brewed an ironmaster Porter extract kit almost 4 weeks ago. In the primary for 14 days, then I bottled, and it has been conditioning for almost 2 weeks (it will be 2 weeks on Sunday). Last night I had to crack one open, curiosity got the best of me. It had great carbonation and great head...

1) Drinking more and more craft beer. 2) Saving the bottles from said craft beer. 3) Growing 5 different kinds of hops in the backyard. 4) Hopelessly watching my second batch in the primary and waiting for my first batch (bottled) to be ready to crack open. (this Sunday!!:ban:)

Fort Lauderdale here. Welcome to the forum. I've been to the Beer Depot. The people are nice and they have a decent amount of things, I purchased my first kits there. We should all start a South Florida brewers get together. Score on the turkey fryer, that is a great way to brew. I am...

I used distilled water in my first brew for the exact same reason. I only realized later that you probably should not. Having said that, the beer turned out just fine, so don't worry. You sound like you are doing good.

OK, I brewed an all extract stout. I don't use a secondary, and I added a cup of bittersweet chocolate nibs and a 14 oz bag of toasted coconut to the primary. Lag time was about 5 hours and then fermentation took off. It was insane for about 17 hours, and then, not so much... The airlock is...

Thank you!

Good points. I am going to look for "swamp cooler" now. I am also going to search craigslist for someone getting rid of a fridge on the cheap. My wife won't last too long when she sees the fermenter in there. As far as documenting a reports, will do. I've started a brew book with time...