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Awesome looking prizes. I'm in!

I have a similar setup (2-tier direct fire MLT with one pump) and as long as I stir really well when doughing-in, insulate the MLT and let it equalize, I usually don't see anywhere near a 10-15 degree temperature difference from the bottom to the top of the grain bed. I think the key is to get...

If you ever get more space and want to do all grain, you can cut the bottom off the deformed BB, turn it upside down and use it as a grain hopper for your mill. I know this because of a "mistake" I made that dented one of my better bottles. It's working great and I didn't have to throw it out ;-)

Is the temperature where the fermenter is located stable? Good idea on changing out the airlock. That will at least tell you if the other one is faulty.

If you mean the mash temp (not the sparge water) that's ok. I usually try to get the grain bed to at least 165 on the first run and close to 170 on the second.

I use a slow RPM 1/2" drill i got from Harbor Freight like this: http://www.harborfreight.com/1-2-half-inch-heavy-duty-spade-handle-drill-93632.html. The best thing about it is it's only $39. I've probably used it on 10 batches so far and it's been rock solid every time. I adjust the speed to...

This is great!

Higher efficiency ;-) Glad it turned out well.

Sounds normal to me. Did you taste the hydrometer sample? I've had the full range of yeast particles and krausen during primary. From crystal clear to small island yeast floaties and full krausen still on top after several weeks. It all depends on several factors including the grain bill...

If you have never brewed a particular style before or used a particular yeast, then I would opt for using a blow-off tube. If you find out later that you didn't need it, at most you only have a few more items to sanitize. If you did, then you saved yourself a messy cleanup. I keep detailed...

If it was a sanke, I was going to suggest that you could try buffing them out. Pickles is right, it will likely get more scratches but deep ones right off the bat for something you bought as "new" wouldn't make me happy with the supplier. I'd like to be the one putting scratches in my own...

Where are the scratches located? Is it a converted sanke keggle or pot?

If you are using a glass carboy you can get tubing that fits the top of the carboy (1" ID) and run that into a bucket with sanitizer. I use Better Bottles so I have a drilled stopper that I put tubing in that runs into a container with sanitizer. I usually clean out the container a few times...

Yeah, it should be fine. But that is the reason I usually start with a blow-off tube if its a new beer / yeast and I am unsure if I can get by with just an airlock. You never know how vigorous it will be and I think its better to be safe than sorry.

That's too bad. I absolutely love my Thermapen. I have the leather case for mine and usually have it on my belt when brewing or cooking.

I've had it happen and I suspected a loose label as well. Course it doesn't help that my mail carrier (or sub-station) is pretty rough on our mail. I routinely get magazines and other items with tears in them.

Hah too funny. I remember that too along with OE and a few others but I'm not sure I ever thought they were good beer even back then. I was just young and broke and couldn't afford anything better at the time. It is all relative though isn't it.