Recent content by johngault007

The large manifold works very well for batch sparging. It's really a matter of personal preference between the two, as both can have great results. At the time I made mine, it was easier and/or cheaper to buy the CPVC and make it than find a manifold in my area. Probably took me 20-30 minutes...

I agree, it's probably the exact opposite of insane. But it works very well, and when I made it, I was on a pretty tight budget. I decided on the rectangular manifold after researching both types. It seems like you can have issues with either the SS braid or the manifold, but after reading...

I made my mash tun. Not sure if the the pictures will show, but here are a couple EDIT: I think I may have spent around $30 at the most. That's including the ball valve from the hardware store.

http://beersmith.com/faq/ A quick search of the Beersmith website on the FAQ says if it's in BeerXML, you can import it. Didn't look too far into the BS forum, but I'm sure the question was asked there.

I use a 15 gallon Bayou Classic with a spicket (ball valve) on the bottom. For 10 gallon all-grain batches, that's about the smallest I'd prefer to go. The ball valve at the bottom makes it a little easier to extract the wort into a fermentation vessel of your choice. I pieced together two 90...

Just finished the collar for my freezer and set up everything for heat as well (in Florida, it might be used 3 times a year). When I came home today to get started on the work, the temp was holding at 68F. So this forum, and a little searching and studying paid off the first time. Now just...

The cooling outlet. Being that the ambient temp is in the 50's, it may not cut on until the temp around the probe gets to your set high temp

Its worth a shot. Worked for me and several others that posted similar issues using freezers.

If you left the probe dangling inside, or set it against the sides, it will give you issues. There are many posts about this in the forums.

I just hooked mine up today. Filled a ferm bucket with water and attached the probe to the side. After setting the 308, it kicked on and is holding temp like a champ. Above may be accurate, if the temp is too low, the cooling circuit won't close. And the same about the about the above mentioned...

I usually have styles in mind during certain times of the year, but unless I want something ready for a certain occasion, usually make it when I need to.

Water. With my inclination to playing soccer, ultimate frisbee, crossfit, etc.., hydration is a key, even more so when I do drink beer. I decided a few years back to stop giving in to all my eating habits more for long term health than anything else. Now the beer calories don't seem to hurt...

If you get your water from the HLT set right, you can preheat with a gallon or two straight from there. If I'm expecting to mash in with 7 gallons , I'll use the first gallon or two to , then after 5-10 minutes, add the grains and the rest of the water. I think doing it this way, I had to...

10 gallons Euforia Toffee Nut Brown (clone) 1133 + 10 = 1143

Wish I had a teacher like you in school!!!! Nothing like getting students interested in learning than to show them how to make beer.