rl1373
Well-Known Member
First off, I'd like to thank all the posters on this website. I've not done much in terms of posting but spent a ton of time reading. I'm looking forward to starting my first batch later this week.
Do you have to use pots that are dedicated to brewing? Also, I received a 40 qt stainless pot with my brewing kit for christmas, is there any specific thing I need to do before I start using it? I dont plan on using the 40 qt pot for anything except for brewing but was planning on using a different pot to steep my grains in. The recipe suggests I steep 1 1/2 lbs of specialty grains in 2 gallons of water for 30 minutes at 150 degrees. Transfer the bag to another pot containing 2 gallons of water and "rinse" but not squeeze the bag. I'm then supposed to combine the contents of the original steep pot into the larger pot. Should the larger pot already be at a boil and contain my DME and hops? Or should I combine the 2 and get it to boil before adding the dme and hops? As far as boil off is concerned, should I try to account for water lost in boil off and how do I determine this? When adding water to bring the total back to 5 gallons, how do you know where 5 gallons is on either the carboy or bucket?
I feel like i've asked a thousand questions most of which are probably stupid but nonetheless. I feel like i'm turning this into rocket science and it really doesnt have to be. I just really want a decent beer. I appreciate the help!!
Do you have to use pots that are dedicated to brewing? Also, I received a 40 qt stainless pot with my brewing kit for christmas, is there any specific thing I need to do before I start using it? I dont plan on using the 40 qt pot for anything except for brewing but was planning on using a different pot to steep my grains in. The recipe suggests I steep 1 1/2 lbs of specialty grains in 2 gallons of water for 30 minutes at 150 degrees. Transfer the bag to another pot containing 2 gallons of water and "rinse" but not squeeze the bag. I'm then supposed to combine the contents of the original steep pot into the larger pot. Should the larger pot already be at a boil and contain my DME and hops? Or should I combine the 2 and get it to boil before adding the dme and hops? As far as boil off is concerned, should I try to account for water lost in boil off and how do I determine this? When adding water to bring the total back to 5 gallons, how do you know where 5 gallons is on either the carboy or bucket?
I feel like i've asked a thousand questions most of which are probably stupid but nonetheless. I feel like i'm turning this into rocket science and it really doesnt have to be. I just really want a decent beer. I appreciate the help!!