use a ratchet instead of a screwdriver to tighten the worm-clamp. Can get more torque on it. I have to do this on some of my connections, including my keg CO2 lines.
I will certainly be doing this before the next brew day, although I think its at the point where I'm worried about crushing the tubing.
I don't know if the stainless chiller is better than copper or not, but the amount of water rushing through it, I think it conducts heat well enough, plus I think it's thinner material. I realize it will never conduct as well as copper, but if it chills to the same temp within a few seconds of what copper would do, well I think the benefits outweigh the cons. I'm thinking it would be better if I pulled the coils apart more though. Next time I will probably not add it to the brew pot until the final boil because it does get in the way.
I transferred the beer into a secondary today. Maybe not necessary, but It was good practice using the auto siphon. I think I would have been just as well off getting the smaller one though.
Untitled by
Glamisduner, on Flickr
My Gravity is reading at this point is ~1.014 and the target gravity is 1.015 so that probably about right, since I don't know how to use the hydrometer perfectly (meniscus makes the exact reading hard?).
I guess when my Co2 Tank and regulator get here It will be time to keg the beer up. I still don't know how I will drink it though, since the apfelwein will still be fermenting for another month?
I guess that was the the big flaw in my newbish plan to have a dual purpose chest freezer (Ferment and serve kegs).
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