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I partial mash/steep grains all the time, especially when the pipeline is low and I want to knock out a beer relatively quickly. I have a couple of favorite kits from my LHBS...quality of the finished beer is excellent, no worries there. I don't attempt to manage mash pH during a PM/steeping...

+1. I used to primary in buckets/secondary in glass as well, then had a beer sit in a primary bucket for 6 weeks due to circumstances...that beer was an english ale and turned out fantastic. No more secondary for me unless there's fruit or something to add at "x" weeks... Cheers Vam

Yes it does. I did a Three Crops AG last summer, and had a "slow" start to fermintation, followed by a solid 12 days of active ferm...I let it ride a total of 16 days before bottling, it was perfect. It's all good. Cheers, Vam

No worries. You're doing just fine, and you're on your way to some good beer, I think. You've also been given some truly great advice from kh54S10 and StewMakesBrew...and I'm going to toss one more thing out there: Those 5 gal carboys are going to be a PITA even if you use them as a...

I quit using airlocks in 2006 after a violent fermentation of an english bitter with Wyeast 1968; it didn't quite destroy my closet, but came close. 3/8 tube into a a growler or a gallon glass jug from there on out... Cheers Vam

You did it right, and better than most. The kit should have told you how much volume (in gal or liters) you should have post-boil, and going into the fermenter. I mini-mash 5 gal recipes a lot on the stove top, so I don't do full volume boils; this means I have to use top up water in the...

For some reason, the Ram 2500 has been stuck on Sirius XM channel 350...and I have been rockin out every time I hear this song..... https://youtu.be/58SiGKT7_xs

Good thread, and some great info. When I bottle we use a bench capper; it usually leaves a dent from the magnet. Haven't broken a bottle yet, either during the capping process or trying to pop a top...I'll call myself lucky! :)

I see that as a 1.014...but more importantly, is the hydrometer touching the wall of the collection tube down there? I rotated your image and drew a line or 2...so if it's been 3 weeks, it's probably done. Still, I'd take another reading on Saturday, and if it's the same as today, bottle it up.

Agree, great story...and a pretty typical journey! Welcome to your new addiction :D! And, a great job on understanding your gear and getting it dialed in. My story is pretty similar; first beer was all extract, drinkable, but I knew I could do better. I have an awesome LHBS with some...

Hmmmm...others can chime in, but I'm not sure I've ever taken a reading with "gunk in the tube"...but otherwise, it looks like you should have had 5 gal in the fermentor, so with a 4 gal post boil, you should add a gallon +/-...enough to hit OG Just my thoughts.

Aaaaand...back on topic :D To the OP: I too wrestled with what to buy when I started. With some advice from my LHBS (shameless plug for High Gravity in Tulsa right here lol) I decided to go with a deluxe starter kit. Six gal bucket fermenter, bottling bucket, hand capper, hydrometer...

While I'm not a big fan of SABL, I'll drink that over a lot of other beer. I am a fan of their Summer Ale and Porch Rocker brews. Once Porch Rocker is released here, I will search it out and hoard it...a great lawnmower beer, IMO

Just got back from vacation in the Black Hills of South Dakota...on our way there, we stopped in Mitchell to see the Corn Palace (:D) and had to get fuel...stopped at a decent looking convenience store in the middle of town, pulled up to the pump, and realized they were "old style"...no credit...

I had to go pull the recipe book to find out what was brewed on "the virgin brew session" :D....Brewers Best American Light ale extract kit. My notes from that day say nothing extraordinary happened...which is to say I didn't know what should have been normal vs not quite right lol....tasting...

I don't know what others do, but I always clean my hydrometer before dropping it in the test jar. Maybe I'm just superstitious, but I believe a clean hydrometer will give me a more accurate reading... And, I always drink the test jar. Who wants a dirty hydrometer in a wort they're going to...

^^ this^^ I do pour ice into tub though, to move things along a little. Then, after transfer to the ferm bucket, I'll grab my 2 quart measuring cup out of the bucket of star san and just dip it into the wort to collect my OG sample :eek: Some day I'll regret doing that :D

You are absolutely correct; that was poorly described on my part...I should have said a good indication of a finished fermentation is zero bubbles (residual or otherwise) in the airlock for several days, no major bubbles on the top of the beer (since in this instance we're in a carboy and can...

Absolutely, Brother!! :rockin: Seriously though, I fully understand using a fermenter with enough headspace to avoid volcanic eruptions. I still use a blow-off tube 99% of the time for the first 10 days (+/-) and then slap an airlock on the bucket...

I'm sure your LHBS will have a proper test jar/tube; mine isthe typical plastic one, works like a charm. Balrog makes an excellent point...make sure your sample is devoid of bubbles, spin the hydrometer in the tube, and that it does not stick to the sides. Spin it 3-4 times, take your...