Recent content by UndeadFred

...and the bad attitude... (me that is! ;) )

Okay then. Well, I need to start figuring out schedule. I'll try to make it by that meeting if it works out. I kind of get a kick out of the "mediocre" comment. This time of year is just bat #@$@ crazy for me and I'm bringing three kegs. They are all okay. But I'm reading on other sites...

So is that a generic meetup for all online groups? I wonder if I should push that on some of the (yes, sorry, competing) Facebook groups out there as well? I'm sure no one cares, but if you want to see me, look for the Cedar Rapids Beer Nuts serving at Social and Club events. I might serve...

Much better than the Wal-Mart attempt (or at least the ones I bought years ago) which is borderline nasty. I actually kind of liked their Amber Ale for the 75 cents a bottle I last bought it for. I suspect these are different contract brewers than that batch, however. The funny thing is that...

I'm impressed. This is usually a religious debate. Everyone is keeping it together on this one. I am so proud of all of you! ;) I personally feel that rehydrating dry yeast is good to do if you can work it into the brew day. If for the only reason is that it "proofs" the yeast and you will...

In college I generally did ciders. Little equipment, cheap, the yeast strain didn't matter as much as beer (even bread yeast works in a pinch). And 95% of the time quite good. I don't think I could have afforded to brew beer in college, and back in those stoneages (my 25th is coming up for...

I think the SSVR I'm using in series currently for boil control (also on a big heatsink with proper compound and a fan) is a "Mager" and it's been okay so far too. Maybe I'll order one of those and try it. Eventually I'm going to do at least one more vessel in the setup... Thanks.

It looked like a failure caused by a bad crimp to me also. (I'm a test engineer and a EE) Though, I suspect the only real reason I didn't have an issue so far (knock on wood) with what is probably a fake Fotek is that I use a "40A" version at about 18A, I have a full sized heatsink with...

Actually, I've seen multiple people careless with water and 115V electricity in the past and when I've said something they did say, "eh, the GFCI will trip anyway". So yeah it does happen. Don't have that attitude yourself. A GFCI on a brewing system is like a safety on a gun. I personally...

I actually said "secondary insurance". I don't think my comment contradicted anything you said or anything in your quoted reply above. Having a trip circuit like that is a great idea. In a system like mine with the GFCI, the indication would be that the GFCI trips. I'll have to add that in...

I have a GFCI on my system (in a "spa panel"). However, I have to agree that GFCI's are no substitute for adequate grounding. There can be situations with a lost ground that the GFCI then becomes completely worthless. But yes, if a hot shorts to the properly connected ground, or outside of...

Yup. It's a tad bit pricey overall to do it, but I suspect this will be the once-in-a-lifetime event for me. At 250 miles away, it's doable. A bunch of other crazy Iowans will be there, too. Look for us. ;)

I finally just started to play with my Pi3 and "Craft Beer Pi" a few nights ago. Looks okay so far, but I'd like to eventually use a small display (320x480) at the boil kettle. (I currently use a TA4 PID and a SSVR for boil control in series with each other, in a Chugger pump circulated eBIAB...

If you want a more readily available solution that works just fine (I actually switched to all silicon #204's in my Intertaps.. and they do screw down just fine, contrary to what I said back then) look at my post from last May #435 in this thread. That would be #014 in BUNA and #204 in "red"...

Used 3 Gallon pin locks seem to have dried up. The last time AIH had them, they were not exactly cheap. I wish I would have bought more than the one I did buy (when AIH still had them for a reasonable price), they are pretty nice to have. I think, honestly, for the price they have been going...