Recent content by TheLateJC

Fair enough. So if I start with 3 qts, do I have to attempt to mimic a lauter tank and sparge the mash with hot water? Would I add the additional 4.25 gallons then or just some portion of it? Presumably since the nextstep is boiling, I'd want to use the hottest water I can.

Planning to brew this tomorrow but I had a few questions. First, in all my past brews, I've always steeped with about 3 gallons of water for a partial mash. 3 quarts seems like a tiny amount of water to steep in. Also, if the final volume is 5 gallons, when do you add the other 4.25 gallons...

Thanks for the tips. I just checked again and the air lock is bubbling. (I know you said don't rely on that but it gives me a lot of peace of mind). As far as checking with a hydrometer, what's the best way to pull a sample to test? I'm using a glass carboy without a spout of any kind. Do...

So I just made my third brew the weekend before Thanksgiving. The first two both turned out great but this time I ran into a problem. I pitched the yeast last Sunday, 11/20, and left for Thanksgiving holiday which given my minimal experience, probably wasn't the best plan. When I returned...