Recent content by Stevesmirk

I took a 1935 Ge fridge, and made it into a 2 tap kegerator. I had to remove the corrugated cardboard "insulation" and replace with fiberglass, and had to move the exchanger from the middle to the side. I upgraded it to perlick faucets. I no longer really use it, and moved from a 1880s house...

I think you might be onto something with the sulfate levels. More info from my latest batch: OG: 1.078 FG: 1.008 5 gallon batch with 11.5 lbs 2 row, .86 lb dextrine, .28 crystal 40L Can you point me in the right direction for controlling sulfate levels? Thanks!!

When I brew, I try to replicate commercial beers that I like. Using recipes published online and in magazines, I tend to get very close, but with pale ales and IPAs, I have had the same problem for the past 7 years of brewing. The best I can describe it is that the commercial beers have a...

I received a Johnson temp controller years ago, and have yet to use it. I have a 1935 refrigerator--the kind that has the evaporator in the middle that requires defrosting on occasion. I would like to use this as my fermentation fridge. I assumed that since there is no air circulation, that...

They have been promised--if this falls through, I will advise. Sorry for delayed response--been quite busy getting house ready to sell. Thanks for the interest.

I have 4 varieties that were planted 3 years ago--cascade, hallertau, magnum, and perle. They are already growing vigorously. We are putting the house on the market, and thought I would offer them to anyone who would appreciate them, instead of letting them get out of control for the new...

I thought about that, but my extractor bit is too narrow. I wasn't sure if there were any that were going to be wide enough before it bottoms out. I will hit the hardware store to find out. Thanks for the help!

I had a dual regulator, but after a fall, the piece in between the two regulators broke off at the threads. I have tried many ways to get this piece out so I can get a replacement piece, but I am unable to get this out. My next thought is to take it to a tool shop to see if they can get it...

It calls for 1 lb of dextrose. The OG should have been 1.078, and it is currently 1.064. I will follow Yooper's advice, and get it in there. Many thanks!

I brewed up what I thought was going to be a Pliny clone using the recipe from BYO clone brews mag. I at least bought the dextrose, but as I was cleaning up, I found the bag and realized I had forgotten to add to the boil. I just pitched the yeast. Should I add the dextrose now, even though...

First off, please forgive me for posting a question that seems to have been posted many times. I have read most of them, but I am getting confused. I received a Johnson A419 controller, and wired it up. I will use it to help control a 1935 fridge that was converted into a kegerator to keep a...

I use Starsan as my preferred sanitizer, and have had great success with it, not losing one batch to infection since I switched to it. For Christmas, I received a nice growler with a flip top and red rubber gasket. I thoroughly cleaned it, and thought that storing starsan solution in it would...

I would guess that it has been cold and on CO2 for 2 weeks now. I think i have talked myself out of gelatin, I don't think that would clean up the hop particles--I have it in my head that it was meant to grab proteins that affect clarity. My only concern is hop particles. Am I correct to assume...

I normally cold crash a batch before kegging, but I forgot to do that with my latest batch. I also think the dry hop pellets got stirred up while racking. I thought that if I let the keg settle, and chill to serving temp, that the hops and sediment would settle at the bottom, and the first few...

I am looking for a supplier of Nelson Sauvin hops. Interested in brewing a Widmer Bros Drifter Pale clone, and I believe that these hops are what gives it its unique flavor and character, so I am not interested in looking for an alternative yet. Anyone know where I can get some of these? In...