Recent content by fatbob

The first time I used Oxyclean I had the same problem. I used well water that was only about 50 degrees and used way too much Oxyclean. I used a weak vinegar solution in hot water and it came right off. Now I use hot water and much less Oxyclean and it works very well.

You will also want to make sure that the glasses or cups are big enough so that they can be poured in one try, so that you don't have to tip the bottle upright, then pour again. When you do that it will tend to mix up the yeast.

I usually bring my bucket or carboy out the night before transfering and tilt it by putting a book under one side. It lets every thing settle and I don't have to disturb it to get all the beer out of it that I can.

On the rare occasion that a beer sits in my kegs more than a month or two, I do notice that they have continued the conditioning, but at a much slower pace. I usually leave my brews in primary for 3 to 4 weeks. Then I transfer to a keg and leave it at about 70 degrees for another 2 to 3 weeks...

For what it's worth, I use the bucket fermenters mainly because they are so easy to carry and I have never had a problem with them. as far as the odor. They smell like beer. I soak them in Oxyclean and the odor is not that strong.

When I wondered about weather or not my starsan mixture was good or not, I called the number on the bottle and asked how long it would it would be good. The reply I got was it depends on the water you use. He suggested that I use distilled water, and that I could test the PH to know for sure...

I usually mix 2 1/2 gallons of starsan at a time. I buy distilled water in one gallon jugs and mix it into a fermenting bucket. By using the distilled water it will last for a long time. I have some PH strips that I can check to make sure that it is still good. After mixing , I pour it back...

When you tasted the wort you have to remember that none of the sugars have been converted into alcohol yet, so it is a lot sweeter than it will be when your beer is finished

If you kegged it after two weeks in primary and went to the keg in the cold temperatures it didn't have enough time to condition. Conditioning should be done at about 70 degrees. If you take it out of the kegerator & let it warm up for a couple of weeks or so it will probably be much better. It...

From my experience using hot water when mixing oxyclean, it dissolves easily and rinses easily my only problems were when I used the cold well water which was probably hard water, I haven't tested it. When I had the residue it was very easy to detect because it was rough to the touch. The...

The first time I used Oxyclean it turned out to be a disaster. I put my bottles in a large cooler and put in several scoops on Oxyclean in and filled the cooler with cold water out of my well. I let it soak overnight & when I got them out the next day they were coated with a heavy layer on white...

I don't think that a hole saw will hold up to drilling a few hole in stainless steel. What ever you use, you should have some sort of oil or cutting fluid to keep the bit cool.

When I hydrate my dry yeast, I boil some water before I start brewing, I cover it and let it sit while I am boiling.After about a half hour it is cool enough to add the yeast, Then by the time I need it it is ready to go. My last half dozen batches or so I have just poured it in dry and it...

All the recipes (kits) that I have ever used just say to add the steeping grains in the same amount of water that I do the boil in. I may have to try the smaller amount of water to steep in, and then add the rest of the water to boil in. It would seem that it would take a lot longer to reach a...

If you buy Starsan in a 32oz size it will last a very long time if mixed in the recomended strength. It really is one of the cheapest items that I buy for this hobby.