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You should also check out http://www.freecycle.org/ - everything is free assuming you take the time to pick it up.

I would be really careful with bleach - that could do horrible things to a batch. Has anyone tried using vinegar (not that vinegar won't screw up a batch if its not cleaned out entirely). Vinegar can do some pretty amazing things when cleaning - especially apple cider vinegar.

That's incredible - my primary never looked like that! I'm actually glad it didn't as I probably would have been scared. :)

Tell me about it, I'm only half-way through the secondary process and I'm already considering bottling early. I know, I know, have patience - it will pay off...right? :confused: Bottling should be interesting as my in-laws will be in town when I start that process...

You should look into getting an auto-siphon. I used this just the other day when transferring over to my second carboy and had great success with it. Most auto-siphons will come with an attachment for bottling which makes it relatively easy to bottle with minimal mess (I don't think you will...

I left my activator pack out at room temperature for 24 hours without any problems. Leaving it in the sink would be a good idea in case there is that 'unfortunate' event. :) I would only get worried if it starts getting really taught.

Thanks everyone! Beer has been transferred - now to wait. :)

I am transferring my first batch to a second carboy (at the encouragement of users here) - unfortunately my home brew kit instructions do not provide any instruction on this. What I want to know is this: should I use the priming sugar in the second carboy or wait until I bottle the beer...

These are great stories - makes me feel better about possibly screwing up. :cross:

This gives me an idea for a competition...we just can't tell the wives. :ban:

I was talking to a business associate the other day about the first batch of beer that I just brewed. He mentioned that he had made a few successful batches, but had a few slipups as well including a slipup which found his cat in a pot full of wort. Unfortunately I didn't get the backstory to...

Actually I currently have two glass carboys and two buckets (one intended for bottling), so I could in theory start a second batch now, although I'm thinking of waiting. The fermentation appears to be going really well! Thanks for the reassurance on the sanitizing issue. I'll be quite...

Taste it, eh? I'll have to do that tomorrow - I didn't want to taste it the first day because of the smell. ;) I've heard of RJ Spagnols... As an interesting point, the person who lent me the glass carboy's suggested using vodka in the airlock rather than water to help prevent bugs. I...

I was using Victory Malt and Briess Caramel grains. They were not boiled, but they were steeped in the boiler pot while it heated up for about 15 minutes or so. I am not sure if they burned, but they were resting at the bottom of the boiler pot during the entire process. I wouldn't be too...

Thanks everyone for the welcome - this is a great community! I really appreciate the advice on using the second carboy - I will probably go ahead and do that. When I went to the LHBS I bought a basic starter kit with plastic buckets - I didn't want to spring for the glass if I ended up...

Well, I started my first home brew. I gotta say, the people at my local home brewing store were less than easy to get along with - I was hoping for a little direction and advice from them, but all I got were blank stares and an attitude of "you want to do what?". Regardless, I really don't care...