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I brewed this myself yesterday. Actual efficiency was very disappointing at 59%. It boiled down to 5 gallons when I transferred to fermenting bucket but after measuring FG, I decided not to top it off. Target FG was 1.046 and it measured 1.042. I can't imagine what I am doing wrong or need...

Thanks, I may have to do that. My local store just put one on sale. I would also like to make a yeast catcher to the bottom. Considering adding a sampling port to the side as well.

Bobby and thadas, I agree with both of you. That's why I suggested he do his research. With risk sometimes comes reward. Right now, this idea is pretty well frowned upon due to the uncertainties,but I expect that at some point someone will identify or make a unit that is approved or...

I checked several radio shacks and couldn't find the right sized pot so I just used the transistor instead. Of course not long after that, I was in a different radio shack and they had the pot. Oh well, it works and the parts were in the junk box so no cost.

Do you have any pictures of yours? Some good concerns were raised above. Even though I am confident the unit I have is safe, as bad67z said (is that a Camaro by the way), one bad batch and all. Of all the pros and cons, one pro is that I only have to run the water about 4 minutes. Definitely...

I looked around a bit to see if there was already a thread on this topic but didn't find one so here is a new one. I have been looking at all the plastic cone bottom tanks and ready made conical fermenters I could find. They all seemed to be a little more than I wanted to spend. Here is my...

Don't get discouraged by the naysayers. All I will say is do your research. I saw that somebody posted a link to a thread I started a while back where I converted an automotive radiator. The unit I used is brand new and 100% aluminum. No lead or other solders are used. I know this because my...

I use a coffee pot. Works great. Check out my stir plate build on my personal website. http://hickeybrewing.site40.net/stir%20plate%20diy.htm

Thanks for the info. This is definitely next on my brew schedule.

Just found this thread and anxious to try it. A couple questions for shadows69; In your version you added carapils and Munich, can you elaborate on what effect that had? Did you do a 60 or 90 min boil? Did I see somewhere that you don't grind the corn or rice hulls? What's the difference...

I have used freezer packs the same way. They are sealed and less likely to open. The hard plastic ones are even better. I worry about them leaking too, especially since it is not water inside them but have never had an issue. I also tried a (new) heater core from a car. There has been a lot...

I finally found a suitable case for my stir plate. I had been just bridging my jar over 4 screws that I set into the mounting holes of the fan. As you can see, it is just a cheap plastic storage container that I found in a drawer. It is a little deeper than I would have preferred bit it works...

I understand what you are saying about too high. Wheat beer aside, the highest effeciency I have achieved so far is about 67%. Not aweful but would like to get it into the mid 70's. I think I could be happy there too. I agree that being consistent would be the key. I thought I read somewhere...

I’m glad to hear that. Thanks for all the feedback. 94%????? WOW! I have no idea what the LHBS has their mill set at but it can’t be too tight. This wheat batch was a BAIB. I had never brewed wheat before so I did a small batch on the stove. I use a homemade cooler tun for the 5 gallon...

Hopefully one day, I will be able to remember all these tidbits. This is great information but if I don't write it down in my batch notes, good luck. I cracked the first bottle of this batch a couple days ago and I think it turned out quite well despite the low efficiency. The next batch will...

I will have to agree. I transferred to secondary and took another reading and it was between 1.012 and 1.013. Right where it is supposed to be. Will let it go the rest of the week and bottle this weekend.

Its an Ale Pail bucket. At first I thought I didn't have the lid on tight but it was. The airlock was also firmly in the grommet. Unless the seal on the lid has gone bad, not sure how it could be leaking. I will take another reading when I get home tonight. According to iBrewmaster, target FG...

Forgive me for jumping in on this thread but I have something similar and I’m stumped. I have what I thought was slow to non-existent fermentation. I have read enough of the posts that say not to get focused on seeing bubbles in the airlock. This is the one I use and even if I...

I'm not sure how to do the math for a motor but I think it is better to drive it with the 12 volts it is rated at and control speed with the proper pot. Lower volts may indeed lower speed but it increases current and heat. With 12 volts, I can run mine from full speed all the way down to dead...

Thanks all for the updates. I will definitely invest in a decent thermometer. I am glad to hear the iodine test is not necessary any more. I was afraid that my low efficiency was from not reaching conversion but as you noted and the test confirms, I am getting full conversion. I use the...