A Few Questions As I Prepare To Start 1st Batch!

[Stugotz]

I just received the Deluxe Starter Kit from Northern Brewer (they included the Dark Star burner for free!) as a Christmas present so I now have a few questions as I wait for my kit to arrive:

1) I now need a kettle and really like the eight and 10 gallon Megapot 1.2s, yet am not sure why I would need a false bottom as it is one of the possible options? Worth spending the extra $ for the built in thermometer and spout?


2) It is below freezing at night so I was wondering what suggestions you all have for the fermentation process? Will the cold temps ruin the batch in the carboy if stored in the cold garage? How is the odor during fermentation as it relates to storing indoors during the winter?

Lastly, this smiley rocks! --> :fro:

 

[yeahfairly]

The Megapots are very good but if I were you I would go for the 15 gallon to allow for the future ability to do 10 gallon batches without having to buy another pot. The initial cost is just a little more and it gives you a lot more versatility.

IMO the MLT is really the only place you really benefit from having a built in temp probe. You can easily use a hand held for the HLT and Boil kettle (if you advance to decoctions down the road).

You won't be using your brew kettle for a MLT, or I wouldn't think you would. Use the money you would spend on the false bottom and buy yourself a 10 gallon igloo and convert it into a good MLT...... with a false bottom or manifold.

Fermentation won't stink up the house in the least bit..... or mine never has. The garage should be fine as long as you have the ability to put your fermenter in a location to keep it in the proper temp range for your yeast strain.

 

[flars]

First are you going to brew extract with specialty grains, grain, boil-in-a-bag, or all grain? The answer will determine the advice you receive.

My wife loves all the aromas of brewing in the house. Especially high doses of Cascade hops.

 

[Yooper]

Unless your garage is heated to 65 degrees, it will be too cold for fermentation in most cases.

An ambient temperature of 62-65 is perfect for most ales.

 

[Stugotz]

Thanks for timely responses!

Heating the garage is not an option so I will definitely have to find a place in the house for the carboys. 62-65 degrees F is the ideal fermentation temp for most ales, that is good to know.

@Flars: That is an excellent question. As I am just starting I definitely want to keep it simple until I master the basics. What would you recommend to start with my first few batches? I am always down to try new beers.

As far as the Megapt 1.2, is it better off to get the more expensive model with thermometer and spigot or not worth the added expense? Do most of you end up with a setup like the 1.2s or do most experienced home brewers just use the regular style kettle without built in spigots?

 

[flars]

Thanks for timely responses!

Heating the garage is not an option so I will definitely have to find a place in the house for the carboys. 62-65 degrees F is the ideal fermentation temp for most ales, that is good to know.

@Flars: That is an excellent question. As I am just starting I definitely want to keep it simple until I master the basics. What would you recommend to start with my first few batches? I am always down to try new beers.

As far as the Megapt 1.2, is it better off to get the more expensive model with thermometer and spigot or not worth the added expense? Do most of you end up with a setup like the 1.2s or do most experienced home brewers just use the regular style kettle without built in spigots?

I brew extract and partial mashes. Get good quality beers without a lot of stress. Kitchen stays clean.

I do 5 gallon batches as partial boils so a 5.5 gallon heavy duty stock pot fits my needs. (On St. Patricks Day this pot will do a boiled meal with 10 pounds of brisket, 5 pounds of potatoes, 5 pounds of onions, 5 pounds of carrots, and a couple heads of cabbage.)
My stove has no problem quickly boiling 2.5 to 3 gallons of water.
The pot fits in my sink for an ice bath to quickly cool the wort.
I can safely carry the boil kettle downstairs to the utility room where the rest of my set up is for fermenting, bottling, and bottle conditioning.

I would recommend starting with a couple basic extract kits for continuing education credits. Start with basic brews you like instead of a high gravity brew with an alluring description. If something goes wrong with a basic recipe the problem is easier to trace down.
Extract brews will get you into water quality, boiling a wort, timing additions, how to cool the wort, fermentation temperatures, and fermentation temperature control.
Bottling is much more relaxing and uncomplicated than kegging if you set it up properly.
Move to partial mash brews after you have had some good extract brews.
Five gallon brews are a good starting point. If you go from 5 gallons and electric heat inside the house to 10 gallons and propane heat outside the house that quality stock pot is not a waste.
That's all I can do for now. Have to get back to the Packer game.
Come back with questions.
Welcome to home brewing.

 

[JL1103]

I have a 7 gallon pot and brew mostly extract. This size lets you boil 6 gallons to leave room for evaporation. I would choose a pot with a thick solid bottom. This will conduct heat better and be sturdier. I don't like the idea of built in thermometer because if it breaks your stuck with it. I strain my wort before I pitch so a false bottom with a ball valve is a nice luxury I would find useful. But these pots cost bucks $$. If this is going to be a lifelong hobby spend the money once. It makes things a lot easier.

 

[flars]

Packers got something going in the second half.

I'm partial to Northern Brewer for supplies. Pick out an interesting extract kit. Under the 'additional' tab for a specific kit NB lists the recipe ingredients and brew instructions.
Unfortunately most of the instructions still include moving the beer to a secondary after a certain amount of time.
NB has $7.99 flat rate shipping going until the 25th.
Free Caribou Slobber kit with $125 purchase is still going for another day.

 

[Stugotz]

NB Deluxe Starter Kit with plastic carboys and Caribou Slobber ingredients is what my wife ordered for me for Christmas this year. The deal was for the kit plus the Dark Star burner for free + flat rate shipping. Just need to pick up a kettle now. I believe Dark Star burner supports 10 gallon max, but that should be more than enough for my needs. If I read correctly a five gallon batch should end up with 24 small bottles of beer. Not sure if will eventually use 22oz like a buddy of mine does.

Right now I am trying to narrow down a kettle to buy and then to start researching sources for good basic recipes/supplies/ingredients. I saw a few good threads on these boards I will definitely have to read through.

Northern Brewer & Midwest Supplies seem to keep popping up in various discussions I've had recently.

Is there anything outside a kettle you think I should go ahead and order if this is the kit that should be arriving any day?

http://www.northernbrewer.com/shop/brewing/deluxe-brewing-starter-kit.html

 

[flars]

You will need a hydrometer for checking Specific Gravity.
48 12 ounce bottles for a 5 gallon brew.
I am fond of the Super Agua bench capper.

 

[Stugotz]

Any recommendations on a hydrometer (brand/model)?

 

[flars]

Any recommendations on a hydrometer (brand/model)?

I never paid attention to brand names. The last two have been from NB. A standard model and not to long ago one that reads from about 0.980 to 1.020 for easier reading for Final Gravity.
Have another purchased in the late 80s'. At that time didn't know the paper scale inside can be tapped back into place to recalibrate it. Did not find that trick until I came to HBT.

 

[JL1103]

My advice on hydrometers is. Buy the cheapest one with a case and buy 2 or 3. They break if you look at them the wrong way!

 

[RM-MN]

I just received the Deluxe Starter Kit from Northern Brewer (they included the Dark Star burner for free!) as a Christmas present so I now have a few questions as I wait for my kit to arrive:

1) I now need a kettle and really like the eight and 10 gallon Megapot 1.2s, yet am not sure why I would need a false bottom as it is one of the possible options? Worth spending the extra $ for the built in thermometer and spout?


2) It is below freezing at night so I was wondering what suggestions you all have for the fermentation process? Will the cold temps ruin the batch in the carboy if stored in the cold garage? How is the odor during fermentation as it relates to storing indoors during the winter?

Lastly, this smiley rocks! --> :fro:

Do you have a turkey fryer or can you find one on Craigslist for cheap? They make a decent pot to start with. Later you can get whatever pot you think you like but by then you'll have some batches behind you and will know better what you want. If you believe that part about spending the extra and only buying once you need to read a bit about "future value of money" because you might find it more economical to buy twice.

Your yeast really like a stable temperature and that needs to be in a narrow range for the best flavor. The best way is with a fermentation chamber but those come at a cost. Trading time and frustration for dollars, you can use a tub of water with ice packs to keep the temperature cool or an aquarium heater to keep it warm. Most aquarium heaters either are set to maintain too high of a temperature or don't tell the range for the adjustable ones though.

 

[skuhn2004]

@Flars: That is an excellent question. As I am just starting I definitely want to keep it simple until I master the basics. What would you recommend to start with my first few batches? I am always down to try new beers.

I'm on my 3rd batch. The easiest so far has been a Weizenbier. I am doing brew in a bag kits until I get a little more confidence.

Invest some time reading the stickies on this site. Instruction on BIAB are terrible. This is by far the most informative site I have found.

A few things I wish I had on day 1.
auto-siphon
wort chiller - don't have it yet, get a couple bags of ice.
Go to lowes and get a cheap food grade 5gal bucket. I use it for star-san $3.47
I use a small paddle to stir in the DME into the wort. Sits nicely in the bucket of star-san
Get extra gallon jugs of distilled water.
Take lots of notes.

Be prepared to learn something new everyday!