Funkenjaeger
Well-Known Member
So I did my first brew in the snow yesterday. What an experience. It was also only my 3rd batch with the keggle, 2nd since starting to use the hop bag, first since installing the weldless valve, first with the heat shield around the burner, and first time chilling outside by recirculating ice water with a pump. All sorts of new variables to make things more interesting.
Heating sparge water - the heat shield seems to be a huge help. It heated about as fast as I remember it ever heating, even in the warmer months. I do think I need to cut some vents in it or something, to let the burner suck a bit more air from underneath. I managed to sort of prop it up off the ground to achieve this for the time being.
Unfortunately, by the end of the boil, my propane tank had gotten so cold it was just barely able to keep the burner going enough for a rolling boil. But, it managed to hang on just long enough. I'll probably have to set it in a container of hot water or something next time. It's too bad that there's such a great heat source right near to it (the burner) but I can't make much use of it because of that whole 'fire hazard' thing... Oh well!
Chilling was an experience. I started with a small amount of water in the bucket, and just kept shoveling snow in. I was expecting the snow to turn right to slush, but instead it liked to clump together and let the warm water channel right through one spot. I'll have to do some more experimentation. I've also come to the conclusion that I REALLY need some kind of automated stirrer in the wort, it would make things more efficient without me having to babysit it so much with stirring.
Before someone asks, yes, I would have liked to have just set the whole kettle right in the snow to help with chilling, but my back was hurting from some lifting earlier in the brewing session, and nobody was around to help me lift the thing off the burner.
Draining into the fermenter was a breeze, and faster than siphoning due to the larger tubing. Wasn't sure if my burner would be high enough to drain directly into the carboy, but it was (just barely).
In all, it was a good experience. I think it'll go a lot smoother with some more practice, and a little more work on my equipment. And maybe I should invest in a pair of warm gloves
Heating sparge water - the heat shield seems to be a huge help. It heated about as fast as I remember it ever heating, even in the warmer months. I do think I need to cut some vents in it or something, to let the burner suck a bit more air from underneath. I managed to sort of prop it up off the ground to achieve this for the time being.
Unfortunately, by the end of the boil, my propane tank had gotten so cold it was just barely able to keep the burner going enough for a rolling boil. But, it managed to hang on just long enough. I'll probably have to set it in a container of hot water or something next time. It's too bad that there's such a great heat source right near to it (the burner) but I can't make much use of it because of that whole 'fire hazard' thing... Oh well!
Chilling was an experience. I started with a small amount of water in the bucket, and just kept shoveling snow in. I was expecting the snow to turn right to slush, but instead it liked to clump together and let the warm water channel right through one spot. I'll have to do some more experimentation. I've also come to the conclusion that I REALLY need some kind of automated stirrer in the wort, it would make things more efficient without me having to babysit it so much with stirring.
Before someone asks, yes, I would have liked to have just set the whole kettle right in the snow to help with chilling, but my back was hurting from some lifting earlier in the brewing session, and nobody was around to help me lift the thing off the burner.
Draining into the fermenter was a breeze, and faster than siphoning due to the larger tubing. Wasn't sure if my burner would be high enough to drain directly into the carboy, but it was (just barely).
In all, it was a good experience. I think it'll go a lot smoother with some more practice, and a little more work on my equipment. And maybe I should invest in a pair of warm gloves