About to brew my first batch... Can you say NOOOOB!

[Vic Turner]

My GF got me a basic kit about a year ago.

I have since purchased a nice stainless 4 gallon pot.

I have also been considering getting a carboy and going with a second ferm. process.

Is this a good idea? What about strainers? I read a lot of folks strain the gunk...where in the process is it best to strain?

Lastly I got a pre packaged kit about a year ago it has grain, hops, yeast and the canned malt. It's over a year old is it still o.k. to use, would the yeast still be good?

This is a great site! I can't wait until I get really good at this and get into some really great recipes and advanced techniques.

 

[rewster451]

The malts are probably ok. Not as good as they could be, but usable. I would worry about the hops though. Even if your refrigerating them, they might be past their prime. Are they whole or pellets? Pellets last longer.

As far as straining, if you're using grains, strain after the mash, and run some hot water through it until it runs clear. But definitely strain out the hops before you add it to the carboy unless you want it really! hoppy. I don't even know, it might just be a bad idea to leave them in there no matter what. Dry hopping is usually done in the secondary.

I will say that someone else will have better, more complete answers for you. Keep using this site. It is probably the best homebrew tool available.

Edit: I would also imagine that the yeast might not be any good either. Do a starter to make sure.

 

[Dude]

I'd go buy an entire new kit.
Nothing in that package is going to taste right.