Search results

Negative captain. It's steam. Once it gets near the pump, it does collapse. I'm going Kettle -> (hose) -> Pump -> (hose) -> Plate chiller, and there is no "air" coming out of the plate chiller. Ever. And the pump and plate chiller (and hoses) are not leaking. MC

You should, as a rule of thumb, always flow downwards on pumps that are not self-priming. Having a loop that goes down, and then back up to the pump, is a good way to get air bubbles. One thing that has not been mentioned is that you can sometimes get STEAM bubbles when you create a vacuum at...

If it makes you feel better, I have a Little Giant pump that I've used for almost 30 years, using a ball valve on the output side, at anywhere between 10 and 40 batches per year. Still going strong. MC

When I was bottling, I'd rinse any used bottled, and keep them in a single-purpose garbage can full of bleach water. I'd only rinse and fill on bottling day. Never had an issue. MC

I use a good long soak with oxiclean, 1 measure per carboy full to the brim. Soak for a few days. If any visible crud remains, use a carboy brush. I then use a 5 minute wash with 1/2-cup of bleach in 2 gallons of water, that I run through a pump and a sprayer, while the carboy is upside down...

I gathered that!

Funny comparison and somewhat close. But when you're sparging, you're in effect diluting the bath water with fresh water while the drain is open. :) MC

My buckets are stored inside the house, the AC takes care of humidity. Never had spoilage in 15 odd years of brewing. HD buckets have a large o-ring seal. MC

I've been using Home Depot buckets with their matching lids, never had a grain bug here, and no stale grain. The lids aren't that durable (they break after a few reopenings), so I keep a few extras. MC

Pardon the interruption... But why are you drinking your beer so darn cold? I keep my fridge at 52F for ales! MC

Hubba Bubba was the best when it came it, so much softer and flavorful! MC

Have you composted it yourself? I've tried it with less than stellar results. Usually the pile of grain just stinks for a while, then dries up and doesn't do much. Admittedly I did not stir it with my compost pile - not easy to get into it. MC

Start with 2C, and stick an electronic thermometer in it, and try every +2C. I've done this before, and my palate is precise enough that I can guess within 1-2C the temp of the beer I'm drinking. It's fun, too! MC

I love my hoppy beers at 50-55F. So much more flavor and aroma! MC

Get lower profile glasses. :) MC

That's fine, but in the OP's situation, it's not a matter of preference, but a matter of availability... :) MC

Bleach works great for non-porous materials. I still use bleach for my glass carboys. I'd be careful with the concentration when using it on plastic, you don't want residual bleach smell to taint the plastic. You will need to rinse. If your water is safe to drink, it will already contain a trace...

Looks like the beginning of a pellicule to me... MC

Channel locks can't hold it? MC

It's still around! I have 1/2 of a 24 in my fridge in SC. I picked it up just outside of Detroit in August! MC