Recent content by HalfmoundBrewer

There is a pretty low threshold for tasting phenolics from chloramines. It may be fine, or it could taste like band-aids. Next time just add a 1/4 tab of k-meta per 5g batch and you will be good to go.

Since there will be lower dryhop effect at low temps, I'd wait until it's warmed up. However, if I were worried about hop resins binding to yeast and reducing the dryhop effect, I'd just add more hops.

You typically won't get as much flavor and aroma when dryhopping at lower temperatures. It's easier to dry hop at ferment temps then cold crash and just leave it at that temperature until kegging. I wouldn't let it warm back up unless I had to bottle.

I have a similar setup to yours. Here is what I get for volumes when I put in 11.25lbs of base grain. Strike water 3.77g, Grain absorption 1.35g, Water available from mash 2.42g (first runnings), Tun dead space .25g, Sparge volume 5.07g, Est. Pre-boil volume 7.24g. Boil off 1.0g. Post-boil...

That much black patent is going to taste like charcoal, reduce it to 8oz or less., replace it with Crystal80.

I use the Eva-dry E-500 in an 8.8cu Kenmore. Works great. Only have to recharge it every couple of months.

Looks good, very similar to my APA. The simcoe is a great addition when you can get it. I dry hop 2 oz on 5 gallons for 7 days. Usually half centennial, half cascade or Amarillo.

Think of Munich as a substitute of the base grain and not a substitute for Crystal malts. For a recipe that represents an average Amber, I would keep the pound of Munich but wouldn't go above 15% on Crystal. This may require you to bump up the 2 row. You may also consider adding some Crystal 120...

There is an on off switch on the back of the lid. It's connected by the same wiring harness that powers the light. If you do a 6" or larger collar, the wire will have to be extended. It is not internal, just hangs off the back.

I bought the black Kenmore 8.8 for $297 last May. It's about the best you can do unless you can wait a while.

It's technically extruded or expanded polystyrene board. The pink kind is Foamular F-150 by Owens Corning at Home Depot. Lowes has another brand. It only comes in 4x8 sheets though and the 2" thick is about $25. I had some extra 1/2" from another project, so I just cut a couple circles and...

+1 on the foam board. I have the 10g Home Depot cooler and had the same problems loosing heat on 5 gallon batches. After adding the foam plate to the top of the mash and insulating the lid, my temps are spot on.

If it's not chlorinated water causing it, then it's likely a sanitation issue. I'm sure 1Step is fine for both sanitizing and cleaning, but I'd try getting a dedicated sanitizer like StarSan in a spray bottle and mist everything that touches wort. Soak everything like racking canes, airlocks and...

There are several that can be added when racking to secondary, but it will taste the same and I don't think it would be worth the effort with an amber or darker beer.

For my 6g batches, 1/4 tab crushed into the strike water, 1/4 tab crushed into the sparge water. From what I understand, the chemical reaction that reduces chlorine and chloramine takes place pretty fast.