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So, I have been running an automated system of my own design, but it's had some trouble, so I switched back to a manual system. Today, I mashed in my stout recipe at 152 and the temp dropped down to 142 while I had the burner on low, so I turned the burner up to 50% and went to sanitize my...

So, my next step in brewing adventures is making proper yeast starters. I was looking at properly aerating my wort, also, using an aquarium pump. My question: do I actually *need* a stir plate or is the main purpose of the stir plate just to aerate things anyway, because if it is, then why not...

I'm looking to turn my side by side fridge into a side by side kegerator and fermentation chamber. I have a whirlpool ed25tq side by side fridge What I need to understand is how the freezer maintains its temperature. Does it A) have a simple thermostat so that it keeps one temperature...

Hi all, I'm getting ready to do my first brew day in my new house (in Mountain House, CA) but I'm getting a bit stuck on my water. I think it's pretty soft, so I was going to include a bit of acid to lower my mash PH. I'm curious what, if any, corrections I'm likely to need. The water...

First, gotta give props to those who came before: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/cake-pan-skateboard-wheel-bike-brakes-homemade-peristaltic-pump-279120/ https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/spring-loaded-peristaltic-pump-proto-197784/ and others... So, since I was feeling all inspired...

I looked around and didn't see anything similar, so I thought I'd try to shortcut the tuning process . Would everyone care to share their PID tunings? It would also be helpful if you were to share your setup, too. Thanks brewing homies! :mug:

My pilsner has been fermenting for 4 weeks now. 2 weeks in the secondary. I was hoping that it would be ready to bottle soon. Unfortunately, it's still very cloudy. I've added one pack of gelatin (last week) and I've got about 1/2" of clear at the top. Can I add more gelatin? I don't keg so...

Got a 15 minute pale ale brewing for the past week. I'm using San Diego super yeast. I haven't opened the bucket for the week, but decided to be curious tonight. I saw this weird cinnamon like substance floating on top. Please tell me it's nothing horrible... I tasted the beer and it tastes...

I've been using PBW to clean all of my equipment, and it works really well, but it's a bit pricey. We use borax around the house for cleaning things, and I just wondered if it would substitute for pbw, and if so, what quantities do you use?

Hi all, I'm wondering if anyone else would be interested in contributing to an open source automated brewing system that uses propane for heat. I'm interested in doing something similar to the HABS (halfluck automated brewing system), however I want to use propane as my heat source. I also want...

Hi all, we go through a lot of mill around my house, so I was thinking of something to do with all of em. Could I stick a stopper on the top of one and use it as a small fermenter for experimentation? Thanks JR

So... I've been wanting to make a fermentation chiller/kegerator, so I found someone on craigslist who has one. I borrowed a truck and a friend, and went to the lady's house that was selling it. Unfortunately, she was a full-on hoarder. Had to bushwhack our way through her garage to get to...

My ipa has been in the fermenter since labor day - more than 6 weeks now. It's been in water to keep cool, and I kept ice in the water ,which kept it to about 40f for a few days , but has stayed about 60 for at least 4 weeks . What can I do to clarify , or conversely, shall I just bottle it...

I looked around and didn't see an answer to this question: What do you do if your mash doesn't fit in your mash tun? I have a 5 gal beverage cooler I picked up from Home Depot for $10 (it was missing the spigot, which I intended to remove anyway). So for my 2nd AG batch ever, I wanted to...

Racked my beer to my secondary, and now there is a bunch of odd-looking stuff floating on top. First, what could it be? Second, is my beer ruined? Third, can it be saved? Many thanks, James

Hi all, I'm new to the HBT forum, though I've been homebrewing for a while, mostly with friends back in SC (@thelusiv). When I moved out to CA, I started brewing on my own - a couple partial mash kits, which have gone quite well. I figured since I'm a glutton for punishment, love great beer, and...