Recent content by gtnutz

That’s what I was thinking, just suck out a sample with the wine thief and let it cool. This seems like a lot better option then cooling the whole 7+ gallons to get a reading to only bring it all back up to a boil. For some reason I was thinking the total volume would affect the reading but...

Good to know, whats the thought on how far off the reading will be? are we talking a solid 1% off for every 5-10F over 100 or is like .005%? While I feel its important to get everything right spending an additional 30 minutes or more to drop my wort tmep to 100F I might just skip for now...

So after a little over a year of brewing with LME I decided to switch/expand over to all grain. I’ve already done one batch a couple weeks ago but not wanting to wait over a month to sample the product I decided to brew a second batch. Both times everything went smoothly and no issues to...

good to know, thanks

I like the sound of this Thanks for all the above impute, looks like when I get back I'll have a nice clear brew waiting to be placed in the keg. K

So last night I placed my secondary in the fridge to crash it and then found out that I would be leaving earlier then expected for a trip. This will only make my 6th batch and first that I'm trying to cold crash and I'm just worried that if I keep it in the fridge for 5 day that I'll wreck the...

I just picked up a burner this last weekend and was thing the same thing. Another question I have is to leave the pot covered or uncovered??? While in my house I leave it uncovered as instructed by my LHBS but worry about bugs and stuff getting into the open pot outside. :D

Would usually but my laptop just broke so all I have is my phone. Thanks

Ok so I'm only 4-5 batches into my new found love and I'm a little curious about what's the benefits of steeping grain and adding the extract to boiling 2, 3, 4, or 5 gallons. Obvious answer is its quicker to cool but is there any added flavor to be had if you boil the whole 5 gallons vrs...

If I choose to place the hops in a grain sock is there any cleaning or sterilization I should do to the sock? Everything I read says to make sure everything that touches the beer has been sterilized or am I reading to much into it?? Thanks

Ok first thanks to everyone who participated in my post from yesterday. I’ve spent the better portion of my work day reading about the joys and benefits about not using a secondary and I’m ready to give it a try this weekend on a beer I made for my second batch. Is it as simple as leaving...

So very true I made sure to do this with the first batch and it helped so much when I went to brew the next. Even brewing batches 3-4 I would find myself check back over my notes to compare times and technique. It is very addicting and I find myself wanting to brew every weekend until I can...

Thanks for all the info and recommendations. While I might have used strong words in my OP I am very much enjoying myself and the process. All I can think about is how to make it better and what can be done the next time to improve the process. On a side note I do have a hydrometer but...

I'm all for patience as a good friend once told me "good things come to those who wait" Sadly I found this forum just recently (after batch 4 was in the fermentation bucket) before now / the last 1-2 weeks I've only had the 2-3 page instructions from my LHBS. Live and learn and learn from...

So far this has been my only true standard as I keep the house cool and the current location of my fermentation bucket keeps right at 64 degrees. I just purchase kegging gear and will try that out next. You say that you carb it for a week or two, is this at 5psi-8psi or at 30psi. My LHBS...