I have been brewing off and on since 1993 using only glass and have only had one broken here. It wasn't me who broke it, a friend dropped it. Awareness of your surroundings and average caution are all that is needed to maintain a safe environment. 1 seven gallon, 2 six and a halves, 2 fives...
I'm sure that 60 min. is just a rule of thumb schedule. Using an iodine test is (in my opinion) the more accurate method for checking conversion. I made a cream ale awhile while back that I mashed at a lower temperature than normal (148f) and it was scheduled for 90 minutes. Iodine testing the...
The greatest advantage that I have found, comparing one to the other, is that ball locks have a manual pressure relief valve and pin locks are solely mechanical. You may find pin locks with manual relief valves but in my experience they are replacement lids. Not that that's a deal breaker but it...
Having the post is certainly a plus, the wood doesn’t hold up well over time. I found most of mine walking along railroad tracks in Western PA in the early to mid 70’s. The utility poles were being replaced and when the old ones were downed they were just left there. Young and not...