Recent content by Dara

Hi Paul, ye the controller is good - it won't turn back on until the temp goes bove 1 degree above the target, e.g. I set it to 45, so when the temp goes to 47, it cools the fridge to 43. So it doesn't go on and off all the time. I opened the back of the fridge up, but the circuit board shows...

hi, the power from the outlet is on - the johnson controller still is powered on. That was how I noticed something was wong - it said 66 F one day when I checked! dara

Hey, It's about 6 months old,off Craigslist.it worked fine for months.I didn't drill a hole-the cable is small enough that the insulation on the door just wrapped around it when I.closed the door.I would guess it cycled on about half the time.maybe not drilling a hole was the cause.it doesn't...

Hi, has anyone heard of or does anyone think a Johnson Controller thermostat set at a 1 degree differential could break a mini fridge? I am trying to understand why my fridge is broken quite early, and I suspect it might have to do with my 1 degree differential turning the fridge on and off...

A second diacetyl rest....that is certainly a glass half full attitude! Seriously though,I think it'll be fine since I would be bottle conditioning at room temp,and I am close to that time already. Was just wondering if anyone thought otherwise

Hi, While lagering a Munich Helles (about 2 weeks in), I noticed the temperature with the Johnson Controller had risen from 45 to 66! Further investigations showed that the controller was ok, but the mini refrigerator had bombed on me. I suspect it was like this for about 2 days, and I...

@BrewThruYou: Yes it may come out quite flat, but I think I have matched the specifications of the style (and took into account the residual CO2 with TastyBrew calculator)

ye, i went with about 0.8 ounces. I felt silly putting in so little sugar, but did it anyway. I don't like highly carbonated ales too, but I don't like flat ales even more! Fingers crossed. I'll let you know how it turns out

Ok thanks - at least I have a companion in potential folly! I am curious as to how Beersmith recommends a lot more carbonation for the same style. One of these sources must be incorrect for the Scottish Heavy Ale style, if there is nothing else we are missing

Hi, I am brewing a Scottish Heavy ale and followed the CO2 levels on tastybrew.com which says to have 0.75-1.3 CO2. I did this (about 0.8 ounces), but it sounds like a very small amount? Beersmith also recommend 2.3 ounces. can anyone tell me whether tastybrew or beersmith are correct, of if...

I took a gravity reading about 3 weeks ago and it was down around 1.008 if I remember correctly, so I was happy with that, and kinda surprised to be honest. I didn't bottle though since there was still some vague activity. I smashed my hydrometer when I cleaned it after this, so I don't know the...

by the way, it tastes great (flat obviously now though). Thanks for the replies. I'll be bottling it today with any luck.

Hi, I used an expired Saison Ale Yeast WLP565 (the guy at my LHBS reckoned the lower number of yeast parts would be even better since it would create more estery flavors when the yeast works harder to ferment the wort. I believed him enough to try it!). While I have you here, I have one...

Hi, I've been fermenting my Saison Ale for 6 weeks now, but at about 65-75 for most of it (which I guess is lower than optimal). I had a strong primary fermentation for about 4 days at the start. I was away for 3 weeks and noticed this blotchy white layer on top of teh batch in its secondary...

Hi, I'm trying to ferment at 62F, but my mini-fridge's lowest temperature is 48F. Any ideas how I can change the fridge's efficiency, or any other tricks, to bring the temperature to 62F? I was thinking of blocking one of the 2 air vents, but am not sure if this is a fire/electrical hazard...