matt-tastic
Well-Known Member
So, i've got my second beer, a Kolsch extract recipe, happily chilling in my SoFC i built (see design here)! I don't have much airlock activity, but i'll check back in the morning to see what we're up to. I also did the whole brew with just tap water, as opposed to filtered. Curious to see if it affects flavor.
A few issues, as i'll list below, and some good learning points.
1) My first time using a propane burner, and had 2 boilovers. Both were when i added DME, and got close with my hop addition, but was able to stir it down. I also couldn't keep the temperature low enough for my initial steep. even with the regulator as low as possible (nearly off) and the flame pulling as much oxygen as possible (as orange of a flame as i could get), the lowest temp i got was 180 for most of the specialty grain boil. I cut the boil short to reduce tannins, I'll find out in a couple months how i fared
2) I broke my thermometer when i was cleaning it. it rolled off the table, and the top shattered when it hit the floor. no fun there.
3) I get a lot of condensation on the bottles for my SoFC. It doesn't seem to be dripping, but i'm more worried about the box itself getting gross with the water soaking into it. I'll try it for a while, and if necessary, i'll seal it all up after a few uses.
Does anyone know specs on a decent propane burner? how many BTUs do you really need to get 4Gal of water/wort to 200 degrees? I think if the pot was higher off the flame, or i could regulate less propane into the burner, i may be able to control the temps better.
I got a decent 1.051 OG on the worth at about 76 degrees. The temp in the box is about 68 degrees, and my stick-on thermometer says wort is 74. I think this setup may just work!
A few issues, as i'll list below, and some good learning points.
1) My first time using a propane burner, and had 2 boilovers. Both were when i added DME, and got close with my hop addition, but was able to stir it down. I also couldn't keep the temperature low enough for my initial steep. even with the regulator as low as possible (nearly off) and the flame pulling as much oxygen as possible (as orange of a flame as i could get), the lowest temp i got was 180 for most of the specialty grain boil. I cut the boil short to reduce tannins, I'll find out in a couple months how i fared
2) I broke my thermometer when i was cleaning it. it rolled off the table, and the top shattered when it hit the floor. no fun there.
3) I get a lot of condensation on the bottles for my SoFC. It doesn't seem to be dripping, but i'm more worried about the box itself getting gross with the water soaking into it. I'll try it for a while, and if necessary, i'll seal it all up after a few uses.
Does anyone know specs on a decent propane burner? how many BTUs do you really need to get 4Gal of water/wort to 200 degrees? I think if the pot was higher off the flame, or i could regulate less propane into the burner, i may be able to control the temps better.
I got a decent 1.051 OG on the worth at about 76 degrees. The temp in the box is about 68 degrees, and my stick-on thermometer says wort is 74. I think this setup may just work!