Recent content by Dukester

Looking for some advice on the amount of cherry product I should use on a five gallon batch. I'm using JZ's all grain recipe for Zek's Baltic Porter as my starting point for this recipe. I'm thinking about using some OFP Sweet Cherry Purée and not sure how much I should add. The LHBS I work...

I was thinking about using half a spiral so it's good to know I was leaning in the right direction as far as how much to use. Thanks. Dukester

I'm working on a recipe for a pale ale based on a one off version of Twilight Ale that Deschutes Brewing made by aging Twilight in Pinot Noir barrels. Super tasty beer. My thought was to soak a couple of spirals in a jar with a bottle of nice Pinot Noir so the spirals soak up the Pinot and...

Tried the keg lube and making sure the valve was seated, but that didn't do the trick. I discovered I had put the wrong valve back in when I reassembled the keg and the valve I put back in was an ever so slightly smaller diameter than the one that belonged to the keg. Right valve put back in...

Okay, so on two separate occasions of kegging beers in two weeks, I've had two pressure release valves fail. Prior to kegging, I disassembled the keg, cleaned and sanitized it and put it back together. Filled it with beer and added just enough CO2 to purge the O2. Pressure release valve...

Even working two jobs (one of which is at my LHBS) and with a three year old, I make time to brew once a week. I usually dough in as everyone is getting ready for bed. Brewing is somewhat meditative for me and I enjoy getting a little "me" time each week. Helps keep me sane. Plus my friends...

So I finally got the gear I need to do proper starters after doing the pot and growler technique for a while. I boiled the starter wort in the flask but what is the best way to cool it quickly? Clearly I don't want to use the ice bath method and risk thermal shock shattering the flask. Is...

Thanks all for the info. I've managed five batches from the tank. I'm guessing it's from my tendency for low roiling boil rather than a vigorous bubbling monster boil. Good info and thanks again all! Dukester

Just came across a stash of Edme Pressure Barrel parts at work and wonder if there is anyone interested in them. I have several replacement taps and CO2 injectors. Let me know if anybody is interested. Cheers, Dukester

I can tell the low temps in Portland have definately been affecting my time to boil. Thinking about adding an extra wind sheild around the burner and maybe some of whats referred to as NASA insulation in the VW community around the the upper two thirds of the keep the heat bleed off to a minimum.

Thanks for the info guys. I knew I would get less with a lower ambient outside temp ( 45F out side right now) but at least now I know the ballpark. Thanks much, Dukester

Generally speaking, how many batches can I expect to get out of a 20lb propane tank. I know there are a number of variables like batch size and burner type, but just in general. Two? Three? More than that? Cheers, Dukester

Seconded! SankePankey I'd love to see a pic of your setup.

So we just had a new gas furnace installed in our house to replace our dead oil furnace. The install was today and when I came home from work, the installer had all of the parts of the disassembled oil furnace stacked on the lawn by his truck. The first thing that caught my eye was the blower...

I'm currently aging some oak cubes in bourbon for a stout I'm planning to brew. Are these cubes something I can reuse for subsequent batches or should I toss them when I'm done and start over with the next batch. Cheers, Duke