divrguy
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dadshomebrewing said:hey divr
i think the real answer is to invest in a refractometer
Yup lol
I can't believe I waited so long to buy one because its great!
dadshomebrewing said:hey divr
i think the real answer is to invest in a refractometer
Been away from the thread for awhile, but I just have a quick question for y'all. It's just about bottling time for my first brew (the stout I posted about a few weeks back) and I'd like to take the usual three hydrometer readings before actually bottling, but I'm not sure how to go about it.
I ended up with a tad less than a gallon in the fermentor, so I'm really, really not looking forward to pulling and subsequently discarding three full sample vials of beer for these tests. How many of y'all pull samples at testing time and then return 'em to the rest of the beer when you're done? I'd like to think that I'm one of the more diligent ones when it comes to sanitation, but if it's really a bad idea I suppose I'll just have to suck it up and deal with less finished product this time around.
hoppyhoppyhippo said:If you properly clean and sanitize your equipment for testing it shouldn't be a problem, but it's still risky. One thing I do for Hyrometer readings if I think they're done is taking 2 instead of 3. So if I think it's done on Wednesday I'll test it then and Friday and that will tell me if it's done. The Thursday read is largely unnecessary unless it's not done.
Im still very new to home brewing with my first batch currently fermenting. I was wondering if you guys could tell me some places to order one gallon kits. I know i can scale down a five gallon kit but i would perfer to just order a one gallon kit. Thanks.
Been away from the thread for awhile, but I just have a quick question for y'all. It's just about bottling time for my first brew (the stout I posted about a few weeks back) and I'd like to take the usual three hydrometer readings before actually bottling, but I'm not sure how to go about it.
I ended up with a tad less than a gallon in the fermentor, so I'm really, really not looking forward to pulling and subsequently discarding three full sample vials of beer for these tests. How many of y'all pull samples at testing time and then return 'em to the rest of the beer when you're done? I'd like to think that I'm one of the more diligent ones when it comes to sanitation, but if it's really a bad idea I suppose I'll just have to suck it up and deal with less finished product this time around.
I bottled your Kona Chocolate Coffee Stout yesterday...the sample tested amazing. My wife really noticed the chocolate...I noticed the coffee more. We both thought it was very good. Can't wait until its done carbing...
I imagine it would involve a lot of crying.
So glad I bought a refractometer...3 drops and I'm good.
C-Rider said:I brew slightly larger brews 1.75 gallons and I never take FG readings untill I'm ready to bottle. I let my brews ferment at least 3 weeks and by they the are DONE. I sanitize by turkey baster, hydrometer and test tube at bottling time to figure ABV and then return the sample to the bottling bucket. Like you can't see wasting any bier!..
Oddly enough, I own one of these but almost never use it. I find it annoying to convert brix to gravity. So I wash my hydrometer and drop it directly into the fermentor. I take later gravity readings the same way, unless I'm doing something with a lot of fruit pulp in it.hey divr
i think the real answer is to invest in a refractometer
Yes, well. I'm a cheapskate. Plus I didn't realize how much not having the approximate gravity scale would impact using the refractometer.Thats why you buy a dual scale refractometer.
Yes, well. I'm a cheapskate. Plus I didn't realize how much not having the approximate gravity scale would impact using the refractometer.
rawkstar320 said:Just multiply by 4. I guess I just try to be closer and consistent...that's usually fairly easy math and still easier than filling/cooling a hydro sample. (for me)
This thread just keeps going at light speed.... Good discussions! To slightly hijack to last week, I'm going to be buying pint mason jars and storing specialty grain to mill on brew day (thanks for the suggestions and pics!) I saw a Victorio hand mill (model VKP1012) on amazon for just under $50. This mill received higher reviews than the corona mill... Has anybody used the victorio? Any other recommendations for a similarly price mill for small batches? As always, thanks in advance!
dadshomebrewing said:thanks... no hurry, i already have my next 5 weeks of brewing planned out, and all the perishables purchased.
i realized today that i've finished DRINKING my first 4 batches of beer.
they must have been better than i thought.
JollyIsTheRoger said:I'm using 12 oz bottles with a couple 6.3 oz thrown in. I have three batches to bottle up tomorrow. A Scottish 60/-, an English barleywine, and a ryezenbock. No brewing this week though.
Where did the 6.3 oz come from? That would be great for a barley wine or metheglin
They are champagne bottles that fit crown caps. I got a few from samples at work, but will eventually buy a case or two, but they are pricey. I think we sell them for $30 for 24, but I don't know for sure. I know northern brewer sells them too.
I was thinking the same thing, only ordering online. The size would be about right for some of the rocket fuel I make.One day I may have to swing bye and pick up a case
Learn something new every day!
Leadgolem said:I was thinking the same thing, only ordering online. The size would be about right for some of the rocket fuel I make.
rawkstar320 said:Yep! The actual number is 3.99.......something. But I see no point in going that far because there are so many other factors to be concerned about than whether or not your og is accurate to the ten thousandth.
Don't forget that the refractometer still won't work for final gravity! That math is tougher....so I use it just to know when fermentation is done
+1 also James and Steve from Basic brewing recently did a mead video cast and it looked easy and tasty but I think 6 oz at high octane would be enough for me
Another great point with this hobby is really learning how to make it more fun. You are right. I usually know my basic ABV from Beersmith so that's close enough. Why bother doing the conversion with spreadsheets or formulas because the goal really is "finished or still fermenting" RDWHAHB
So, I just made a kit ready to brew this weekend and realized that my small batches fit perfect in those 1 gallon Vacuum zipper bags.
Why is so much fun to watch a vacuum sealer squeeze the heck out of stuff?
lol
It depends on how much dust there was in the air and how long it's been snowing. If your snowed in though, probably close to none in what you can get at.I need to put together some "emergency" kits in case I get snowed in this winter. It would be nice to make a few batches while I can't leave. In fact I think I'll do that this weekend. UH Oh, ideas are flowing now, anyone know how many minerals make it into snow and could I make a beer using only snow for my water?
I need to put together some "emergency" kits in case I get snowed in this winter. It would be nice to make a few batches while I can't leave. In fact I think I'll do that this weekend. UH Oh, ideas are flowing now, anyone know how many minerals make it into snow and could I make a beer using only snow for my water?
jwalk4 said:After a long and tiring battle with university finals, I am finally getting back to brewing. My pipeline is dry, I have empty fermenters, and I have a serious hankering to brew something up real quick.
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