The pressure gauge will pay for itself in no time. The regulator has quite a few turns to it so dialing in 10psi is much easier with a gauge. Anything over that and you wasting btu's. They recommend a pot with at least a 14" diameter and I will agree because for one a larger bottom is needed to...
I have forgot for how long and how many batches I've brewed. I've gone full circle from extract to all grain and back to extract SMaSH recipes. I did all that with a crappy turkey fryer burner until now. I'm putting this in the newbie section so hopefully you don't waste as much time as I did...
We lost our big side by side frig a year ago. I said there has to be something in the guts of the frig I can use..... walaaaa.... took the aluminum coil and made a pre-chiller. Works great in a tub of ice.
I have found that the water flow needs to be reduced as the temp drops for the best...
I just plugged in some numbers.... in a 5 gallon batch with a gravity of 1.060 one would have to add an additional 9 gallons of water to dilute the wort down to a 1.020 SG.
Adding additional DME in any significant amount throws to hop balance off. Keep that in mind.
I would recheck my gravity. If it still reads 1.020 corrected for temp and you want to add some DME you are going to need about 5.2 lbs to add 40 gravity points to bring it up to 1.060.
Don't hold me to that, though,... I'm on my first cup of java.
Make a pre-chiller for the IC. I gutted the coil of a frig that died on us. I set the coil in a plastic tub and cover the old coil with ice and water. I can drop the temp down to 70 in about 7 minutes or less.
Max... I believe the wiring diagram is not drawn properly. Take the screws out on the front and you can quickly determine if the hot or common lead runs through the relay.
Natty Daddy... I would rather drink my own (or somebody's elses) urine. :D http://cdn.homebrewtalk.com/attachments/f14/52884d1331948520-outta-homebrew-heres-what-i-drink-nattydaddy2-small-.jpg
I'm from Texas. Real men don't drink fluffy drinks, fruity beers or syrup of any kind in a "cold one". I see, though, you are from "up north". Go for it. :D;):D
I NEVER brew and ferment without a blow off tube. The problem is not aggression but your method of fermenting. I use a carboy and stopper/bung. I take a 3 piece airlock and discard the top and guts. I cut off the tip slightly to eliminate any restriction. On the interior tube I slip on a 1/2" ID...