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Thanks for the detailed answer. I know about salts and the impact on mash pH, but I didn't quite understand why adding them at one time v. another prior to the chilling phase would make any difference in foam. While I do always build my water up from RO now (using the Brewer's Friend water...

Sorry for the stupid question - but what's the difference between adding salts at the start (mash) compared with in he boil? Do you mean you really add salts only once the boil is going? Since the salts will be there in either case during the chilling period - I don't see how it would make a...

I see - so it's a hybrid method. I used to no-chill using a cube - helpful in the winter when I didn't really want to run a ton of water out onto my driveway in the MN freeze. I like the method in general. I figure in this instance I'm just subbing the keg for the cube. There will be a big...

Also I wanted to brew before the fermentation was finished to my liking on my first brew (6 days). But, I figured it was pretty close - so I jumped the brew from my "brew keg" to a second holding keg using the jumper system and CO2 to push it. My plan is to let it continue to finish over the...

When folks just do a "no-chill" style cooling, do you just end brew session when the machine pauses after the boil? Yesterday I just selected end brew, and I ran an additional drain program to be sure everything was out. I then removed the rubber lid, and put on a standard corny lid and set it...

Doesn't the cleaning cycle heat the detergent? The circulate routine would lack this piece...not sure it matters

All great info - better than what's on the PB forum! If your using PBW in place of the dishwasher tab - do you just put the powder into the step filter? Also - I need more kegs/seals to get more of a workflow going with more than one beer fermenting. Does everyone just cut the dip-tube on...

Mine was shipped in 5 days - and arrived three days later (today!!) unpacking tonight l hope!

Ha!

Grrr...one week too late.

Agree! To some, the pain and toil is part of the fun. Somehow makes it more meaningful to them. I am not one of those. To me the "soul" of brewing is recipe formulation and fermentation control. These are still there with pico since it is a wort making machine. In fact, I experienced mostly...

Amazing - those moments are why we watch him!!

Thanks bobbytuck. I had another question - about oxygen. Do either of you add extra oxygen? I have been doing it for my 5G batches and I noticed a big difference in attenuation. I understand that the wort is getting aerated during the cooling phase - but is there a way to add in oxygen? Is this...

Bobbytuck - I can imagine! I'm very excited though as the unit has shipped - due in Wednesday evening! I have a bunch of grain - American pale ale, maris otter, american and british crystals, munich, wheat and rye etc - so I will assemble a quick pale ale recipe of my own (I do love the malty...

Yeah - I thought so (needing a pump). Are you still happy with your hand pump? Even refurbished beer engines are outrageously expensive. Seems like there should be some middle ground

Baja - or others. I ordered my zymatic - and now I'm going crazy waiting! I can't imagine the patience of those who where waiting months for their unit. Oh well. My question though is this. I have a bunch of recipes in iBrewMaster - do you know if these can be imported into the my brewhouse...

Great tips! Thank you. A few follow-up points/question: 1) Windows....I'm strictly a MAC guy. Does the software work on MAC? I don't understand what a firmware flasher is - so sorry if you already addressed this. The website doesn't specifically mention anything about OS compatibility. 2)...

I think magically expecting the machine to do better than what you'd expect from a standard process, however, seems off base. The work is still in recipe formulation and fermentation management! Where the magic really happens. I derive no soul soothing from fretting over mash temp and watching a...

I'm ordering one today - and I fully realize that it is not automatic. What info look forward to is automated mash temps, hop additions etc so I don't need to carve out 4-5 hours on a Saturday to brew. Being able to mow the lawn, go to the grocery store, play with my kids while mashing and...

I would call the review fair, and I don't mean balanced. The review comes from the perspective of wanting an instant beer machine, not from the perspective of an experienced brewer. The experienced brewer who assisted, has some deep philosophical objection to the concept of automation. Somehow...