Equipment list help.

[Jasper18]

Now i understand that if i'm using extract and only have like a 5 gallon kettle that i can do some partial batch boiling and then top off with water in the primary fermenter?

Also do i have this somewhat right:

First thing is to get some water and malt boiling. I realize specifics like temp and time vary for type of beer and ingredients.
Then along the way you start throwing in your hops at certain times depending on what type of beer you chose.
What happens to the hops? Do you strain it out after boiling and before pitching yeast?
Anyway so assuming the hops is out of the beer now you let it cool down to around the 60's depending on type of yeast, transfer it to the fermenter, and then add the yeast based on the gravity reading. You now let it bubble away for an amount of time thats again dictated by the type of beer and also at the right temperature. I think you measure the final gravity to see when the beer is done correct? And also do you mix in a little more sugar to the wurt before you transfer it to the bottles? Do you stir it in? Or is there sediment that you don't want to disturb? AHH so much information to parse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


PS: Thanks for being patient with my lack of knowledge.

 

[Aristotelian]

Now i understand that if i'm using extract and only have like a 5 gallon kettle that i can do some partial batch boiling and then top off with water in the primary fermenter?

Also do i have this somewhat right:

First thing is to get some water and malt boiling. I realize specifics like temp and time vary for type of beer and ingredients.
Then along the way you start throwing in your hops at certain times depending on what type of beer you chose.
What happens to the hops? Do you strain it out after boiling and before pitching yeast?
Anyway so assuming the hops is out of the beer now you let it cool down to around the 60's depending on type of yeast, transfer it to the fermenter, and then add the yeast based on the gravity reading. You now let it bubble away for an amount of time thats again dictated by the type of beer and also at the right temperature. I think you measure the final gravity to see when the beer is done correct? And also do you mix in a little more sugar to the wurt before you transfer it to the bottles? Do you stir it in? Or is there sediment that you don't want to disturb? AHH so much information to parse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


PS: Thanks for being patient with my lack of knowledge.

You have the process about right.

I like to use muslin bags for the hops but many people just throw them in. They will not hurt anything.

Yes, measure OG before the boil and FG after fermentation. When FG is stable, the yeast is done and you are ready to bottle.

Yes, at bottling you add a small amount of priming sugar (there are calculators to tell you how much). Most people transfer the beer (it is beer at this point, not wort) to a bottling bucket with a spigot to make the bottling easier. If you dissolve the sugar in water and transfer the beer on top, that is usually enough action to get the sugar incorporated. (Alternatively you can put sugar cubes directly in the bottles).

 

[kev211]

Now i understand that if i'm using extract and only have like a 5 gallon kettle that i can do some partial batch boiling and then top off with water in the primary fermenter?

Also do i have this somewhat right:

First thing is to get some water and malt boiling. I realize specifics like temp and time vary for type of beer and ingredients.
Then along the way you start throwing in your hops at certain times depending on what type of beer you chose.
What happens to the hops? Do you strain it out after boiling and before pitching yeast?
Anyway so assuming the hops is out of the beer now you let it cool down to around the 60's depending on type of yeast, transfer it to the fermenter, and then add the yeast based on the gravity reading. You now let it bubble away for an amount of time thats again dictated by the type of beer and also at the right temperature. I think you measure the final gravity to see when the beer is done correct? And also do you mix in a little more sugar to the wurt before you transfer it to the bottles? Do you stir it in? Or is there sediment that you don't want to disturb? AHH so much information to parse!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


PS: Thanks for being patient with my lack of knowledge.

Sounds about right. Aristotelian got most of it, but to counter his point about the muslin bags. Im one of the people who choose not to. Either way you go, its fine. If the hop gunk (known as trub, pronounce troob) ends up in the fermentor it doesnt really make a difference. Its really a personal preference.

Also, one thing we havent touched on, the kit you buy may included directions to transfer your fermented beer from primary fermentor to a secondary one to help in clear the beer up, yadda yadda. General consensus among homebrewers and HBT is that secondaries are not necessary. They will only result in oxidized beer that could become infected

 

[mongoose33]

FWIW, Northern Brewer has its Megapot 1.2 8-gallon kettle with thermometer and ball valve on sale for 20% off the normal price of $229.99:

http://www.northernbrewer.com/promotional-categories/20-off-4-items/

they also have the silver serpent immersion chiller also for 20 % off.

 

[Jasper18]

So after the primary fermentation it is NOT recommended to rack the beer? I can transfer it to a bottling bucket with the sugar water in it though? Should a siphon be used to transfer from fermenting bucket to bottling bucket so as to leave the sediment at the bottom behind? What i don't want is sludgy beer or beer that looks like milk. I know you have to let the beer settle in the bottle and i'm not expecting Heineken clear beer but what can i expect?

 

[eulipion2]

So after the primary fermentation it is NOT recommended to rack the beer? I can transfer it to a bottling bucket with the sugar water in it though? Should a siphon be used to transfer from fermenting bucket to bottling bucket so as to leave the sediment at the bottom behind? What i don't want is sludgy beer or beer that looks like milk. I know you have to let the beer settle in the bottle and i'm not expecting Heineken clear beer but what can i expect?

Just leave your beer in primary until bottling time for most beers. I typically leave beers for three weeks in primary, then straight into bottles (via a bottling bucket) or kegs. By the end of the three weeks most of my ales have dropped fairly clear. If you have a beer that will be aging for a long time, then consider transferring to secondary.

For the siphon I recommend an auto-siphon, basically a self-priming siphon that's super easy to start. Also, there's a holder for the auto-siphon (sold separately) that you can use to hold the siphon above the sediment layer of your beer, leaving it all behind.

Since you're in RVA, I'm assuming you're close to Original Gravity. Definitely go there! Good selection, very helpful staff. Popular store with a high turnover rate on ingredients means that ingredients are usually really fresh. Also, check out the James River Homebrewers. Their meetings are the second Wednesday of each month at Mekong (6:30 homebrew share/7:00 meeting). I was a part of the club for four years, until we moved a few years ago. Very knowledgable brewers who are always willing to help.

 

[Jasper18]

Hey thanks for the great responses! Ok I will leave the wurt to ferment for a few weeks, and then siphon straight into the bottling bucket. Yes Original Gravity is actually just 4 miles from me and will be my go-to store. Glad you liked them.

 

[Jasper18]

Ok here's my almost final shopping list:
Hydrometer
Star San
Bottle Rinser
Starter kit that includes:
6.5 gallon fermentor w/ lid & airlock,
Bottling Bucket Spigot,
Bottle Filler,
5 Gallon Stainless Kettle,
Long-Handled Stainless Spoon,
Racking Cane,
Tubing & Holder,
Oxywash Cleanser,
Bottle Capper & Caps

I'll get bottles at the local store.


Any other things? I've found brewers best kits and want to try those a few times. They seem pretty good with reviews.

 

[MMP126]

Hey Man,

I just started, and I am doing only small 1 gallon batches. If you want to go this route, this is what I bought.

All from Northern Brewer:

1. One gallon small batch starter kit (with the Pliny the Elder Clone kit, but seeing as you dont like super hopped beer, maybe another would be good)
2. An additional 1 gallon fermenter. Came with blowoff and air lock. Got this so I could do 2 brews at once. You dont absolutely need this.
3. 2 Gallon Kettle. I bought it from them, but I bet you can go to Walmart or some place like that, and get it for cheaper than I did.
4. Little bottle of Star San. I like Star San better then the powder stuff.
5. Bottle brush. To clean with is all.
6. Brewery Essentials Gravity Testing Kit. A must have.
7. Additional bottle caps

Then, I went ahead and got some other stuff at the local Target, and a local kitchen supply store:

1. Spray bottle. Very good for assisting with sanitizing.
2. 2 big plastic containers. One for keeping fermenters in, so if I get a blow out, it wont get the floor all messed up. Just dont use the lid. And the other one is to store all my equipment. I also use the 2nd as a sanitizer basin.
3. Digital kitchen thermometer. I got a nice one, that was intended for Candy making, or frying. I like digital because it removes any reading errors on the thermometer. Just makes life easier.
4. 1 QT measuring cup.

For bottles, I saved my own. I washed them out when I got done with them, and removed the labels. Look on you tube for the best way to do that. There is a lot of resources there.

I started small batch to see if I liked brewing. And people around me dont appreciate "fancy" beer, so I am just doing it for me for now.

With all this, I didnt have any surprises on brew day.

Hope this helps...

 

[kev211]

Ok here's my almost final shopping list:
Hydrometer
Star San
Bottle Rinser
Starter kit that includes:
6.5 gallon fermentor w/ lid & airlock,
Bottling Bucket Spigot,
Bottle Filler,
5 Gallon Stainless Kettle,
Long-Handled Stainless Spoon,
Racking Cane,
Tubing & Holder,
Oxywash Cleanser,
Bottle Capper & Caps

I'll get bottles at the local store.


Any other things? I've found brewers best kits and want to try those a few times. They seem pretty good with reviews.

I think you would be better off spending a little extra on a bigger kettle especially if you plan on moving to AG/BIAB in the future. 5 Gallon is fine for 1 gallon batches or partial boil 5 gallon batches, but thats about it. So if youre gonna splurge on anything, go with the bigger kettle.

Ditch the racking cane, get a siphon starter/racking cane combo. For 12 bucks you cant go wrong with This Guy. Totally worth the extra buck or two.

By "get bottles at the local shop" do you mean, buy empty bottles? Just save your empties from commercial breweries. Saves money, and hey, its earth day... reduce, reuse, recycle

 

[Jasper18]

Well as far as bottles I want nice new clean no label bottles lol. I'm ocd like that. As far as the racking cane I've seen a video on how to easily start the siphon and it'll do for now. As far as kettle do you know of a starter kit that has a bigger one in it? I certainly don't want to buy all the stuff separately. I can buy a bigger aluminum pot for $20 or $30 later if need be.

 

[Jasper18]

Edit: I think I will just get the auto siphon lol

 

[ncbrewer]

I think you would be better off spending a little extra on a bigger kettle especially if you plan on moving to AG/BIAB in the future. 5 Gallon is fine for 1 gallon batches or partial boil 5 gallon batches, but thats about it. So if youre gonna splurge on anything, go with the bigger kettle.

Unless, as I noted in a previous post, you can't do a full volume boil and don't plan to buy a turkey fryer.

 

[Jasper18]

Yeah I'm on an electric stove (flat glass top not those metal coils) and i don't think I could do a full boil. And since I'm cooking inside with a little dog running around i wont get a propane turkey fryer. Maybe once we get a house lol.

 

[kev211]

Well as far as bottles I want nice new clean no label bottles lol. I'm ocd like that. As far as the racking cane I've seen a video on how to easily start the siphon and it'll do for now. As far as kettle do you know of a starter kit that has a bigger one in it? I certainly don't want to buy all the stuff separately. I can buy a bigger aluminum pot for $20 or $30 later if need be.

I dont know where you decided to buy your kit from, but if you're going with a brick and mortar HB store, they may be able to substitute a bigger kettle for a slight price increase. Thats the way I got my 10 gal kettle.

I dont know if they have them where you live, but Smart & Final and Costco have great inexpensive options for kettles

Edit: I think I will just get the auto siphon lol

Good call. Its so easy with the auto siphon haha. And Ive tried it other ways that are "easy" siphon starter-less. They were not as easy as the auto siphon

Unless, as I noted in a previous post, you can't do a full volume boil and don't plan to buy a turkey fryer.

Well, you can, but it takes longer. The turkey fryer adds convenience. And Im saying, for a long term cost savings, a larger kettle up front will keep OP from having to buy a bigger one if he does switch to AG

 

[Jasper18]

The starter kit I have my eye on is on Amazon but from Midwest supply I think. I could check the local store but honestly 5 gallon is ok for now. Baby steps. Gotta keep the upfront cost down to maintain spousal support haha.

 

[kcoect]

Edit: I think I will just get the auto siphon lol

I have three ported big mouth bubblers from Northern Brewer and I don't have to siphon a thing... Completely worth the little extra for me to not have to worry about a racking cane or autosiphon...

 

[kcoect]

Oh, and just for reference, you can take my list any way you want, I made a list at one point of all the stuff I need to take with me if I was going to go over a friends house and brew there, and here it is...

Sanitizing bucket
Spoon
Strainer
Silicon Additive (Defoamer)
Whirl flock Tablets
Hop Bags
Muslin Bags
Counterflow Chiller
Weight to hold Chiller down
Hose and valve for end of hose
Sponge
Hydrometer Tube
Hydrometer
O2 Wand and tank
Burner
Kettle
Spray Bottle
Fermenters
Stoppers
Air Locks
Scissors
Star San
Pitcher
Hoses
Propane Tank
Bottle Opener
BIAB Bag
Binder Clips to hold BIAB Bag
Extension Cord
Pump
Power Strip (Not needed, but convenient to turn the pump on and off)
Fire Starters/Lighters

Now do you need all that? Probably not, but it makes great beer and I like the CF chiller and pump Happy brewing!

 

[kev211]

Well as far as bottles I want nice new clean no label bottles lol.

Oh and labels are super easy to get off the bottle. Theres tons of threads on label removal here

 

[Jasper18]

kcoect: That list is like a super advanced home brewing list lol.

And kev yeah i guess that part wouldn't be hard but to be honest i've stopped buying beer since i thought about brewing my own, and i never saved any bottles, so drinking enough between now and brewing time would be hard.

 

[kev211]

kcoect: That list is like a super advanced home brewing list lol.

And kev yeah i guess that part wouldn't be hard but to be honest i've stopped buying beer since i thought about brewing my own, and i never saved any bottles, so drinking enough between now and brewing time would be hard.

Hard, but not impossible. Step up to the challenge!

 

[Jasper18]

I can really only do serious drinking on weekends because of the job but most weekends were always busy running around. I'll settle for new bottles

 

[BlurryEyed]

This might be a little too much for ya, but for a small apartment like environment, have you considered the Grain Father? It is certainly an investment, but the reviews are very positive that is an efficient system and well worth the price if you plan to stick with the hobby.

http://www.grainfather.com/#!home/mainPage

 

[Jasper18]

That is entirely too much $$$$$ for me lol. But it's a cool machine for sure though.

 

[MaryB]

This is a BARGAIN http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewi...er-kits/brew-share-enjoy-homebrew-starter-kit

Well as far as bottles I want nice new clean no label bottles lol. I'm ocd like that. As far as the racking cane I've seen a video on how to easily start the siphon and it'll do for now. As far as kettle do you know of a starter kit that has a bigger one in it? I certainly don't want to buy all the stuff separately. I can buy a bigger aluminum pot for $20 or $30 later if need be.

 

[Jasper18]

That's the exact kit I'm getting just from a different company. Price is the same too lol.

 

[MaryB]

I had a bottle capper already but decided what the heck, it was basically free after I bought a stainless 5 gallon pot and 2 fermenting buckets. And having a spare is peace of mind!

 

[Jasper18]

Yeah those kits are good deals. The SS pot makes up almost 50% of the value already. I can't wait! I should be ready for the first batch around May 1st. I'll keep brewing notes and either ask for help here or tell how it's going/how it went.