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  1. IslandLizard

    Carboy problems

    I think it would be much, much safer if you started moving away from glass carboys completely, and use plastic alternatives instead. For example, use plastic buckets (HDPE) or choose from a variety of modern plastic (PET, #1 plastic) fermenters that have started to show up the past 10-15 years...
  2. IslandLizard

    Carboy problems

    That would be my preference. Mylar, if possible (helium party balloons).
  3. IslandLizard

    Carboy problems

    Those could be hairline fractures, caused by thermal stress. I doubt fractures like those could harbor microorganisms, but any stress induced in or around that area could cause it to crack or shatter. Simply picking it up when it's full could be disastrous. That's true for glass carboys in...
  4. IslandLizard

    Carboy problems

    A small batch fermented in a large fermenter is not good either, too much headspace for things to go wrong in. Brewers need to be able to trust their equipment and proper sanitation regimen... Yeah, heating that carboy in the oven is likely the best strategy. 250°F is probably hot enough, but...
  5. IslandLizard

    Salty Liquorice Porter

    I was thinking neutral spirits, "unflavored" Jenever, such as Bokma or Lechner. Yup, Gin (juniper berries) would be the wrong flavor.
  6. IslandLizard

    Salty Liquorice Porter

    With "alcohol" I meant some simple booze. Jenever or Brandewijn @35% alcohol, would be fine to use. Heating it up a little may speed up the dissolving process, but don't get anywhere near to boiling it, as that would drive off essential aromas, which is counterproductive. Brewers often steep...
  7. IslandLizard

    What water to use to brew

    1/4 Campden tablet will treat 5 gallons of water. Crush up that 1/4 Campden tablet very finely before adding it to your water. It's otherwise very slow to dissolve and react. Or instead, get yourself some Potassium Metabisulfite (powder)* aka "Meta" (powder) and there's no crushing involved...
  8. IslandLizard

    Roasting Quaker Old Fashion Oats?

    I toasted 5.5 pounds of flaked wheat, under the coil broiler in the oven. Surprisingly they didn't toast all that quickly, but I kept them at a safe distance from the broiler elements (4" perhaps?). It took a good hour in total, using 2 "half-pans" above one another, switching them out with...
  9. IslandLizard

    Roasting Quaker Old Fashion Oats?

    Ah, good! Yeah, that's the idea when using (non-diastatic, starchy) adjuncts in a (diastatic) grist mix. The ability of malt to convert starches into sugars is called diastatic power (DP). The higher the DP the more adjuncts can be added for full conversion. DP is measured in °Lintner. You...
  10. IslandLizard

    New member in rural WA.

    Sounds like a plan! ^
  11. IslandLizard

    Carboy problems

    That certainly seems to point to that one carboy, yes. And I find it hard to accept that its glass can't be cleaned sufficiently...
  12. IslandLizard

    Replacement gaskets for Plastic QDs?

    Looks like an update on the construction. The black spout has more thread turns compared to the original yellow one. That may make a more positive/straight connection and thus a better surface-to-surface seal with the body, rendering the o-ring obsolete. I gather these are cutting edge...
  13. IslandLizard

    Roasting Quaker Old Fashion Oats?

    Are you brewing with (malt) extracts? Have you steeped grain/malts before? If so, and you want to use flaked/rolled oats, toasted or not, you need to do a (mini) mash with them and some barley malt to convert the starches into fermentable sugars. Mashing is like steeping, just a bit more...
  14. IslandLizard

    New member in rural WA.

    Welcome to our forums! Have you brewed all-grain before? If not, you'd want to study up on that.
  15. IslandLizard

    Carboy problems

    Any possible description of foul aroma/flavor? Baby's diapers, rotted broccoli, rotted cheese, spoiled eggs, puke...? Remember, your wort will be as pasteurized as the dirtiest element that has touched it. ;) Have you thoroughly cleaned and sanitized everything used in the transfer of the...
  16. IslandLizard

    Must see YouTube Clips

    Yes, definitely more visible with the wife. I put it in slow motion (1/8 speed), and the front of his foot goes down about 4". Jeez! The step down is at the far end of the pile of sacks.
  17. IslandLizard

    Replacement gaskets for Plastic QDs?

    Are you referring to their "carbonation caps?" Plastic: https://www.kegland.com.au/products/yellow-ball-lock-plastic-carbonation-cap-x-6-35mm-duotight Stainless: https://www.kegland.com.au/products/stainless-carbonation-line-cleaning-cap-fermzilla-cap
  18. IslandLizard

    Roasting Quaker Old Fashion Oats?

    At only 1-3% I doubt you'd notice much, toasted or not. So it may be quite subtle although it surely won't hurt to toast them. Just don't burn them, you would notice that! Keep an eye on them while toasting. I use the electric broiler on low and put the tray on the 2nd rung down from the top...
  19. IslandLizard

    Salty Liquorice Porter

    Got ya! Looking at the recipe more closely, they're very small amounts actually: When you're over in Finland, see what you can get. Since you know where you're going, you could do some research ahead for obtaining those ingredients. It may well be very common. We have some (active) members...
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