First time brewer, complete noob H-Town Texas

[Muddy Brews]

Hi. I'm Travis. I've been a huge fan of drinking beer, but have always had a desire to brew my own beer.
A few weeks ago I bought the Northern Brewer Brew Share Enjoy kit. I have a mini fridge that I've converted into a fermentation chamber with some modification and the Inkbird ITC-308-wifi.
I just brewed my first batch this afternoon. Hank's Hefeweizen extract.
I was very meticulous with sanitization through the brewing stage. Put the golden liquid in my fermenter and took my og reading, 1.042
It's in the fridge now and can't wait for two-ish weeks to check and bottle of ready.

I am looking forward to great discussions and advice.
I can only hope I'll be able to return the favor one day.

 

[Clint Yeastwood]

I'm sure it will be fine. Learn from my mistake, use the wifi, and set it to alert you if the fridge gets too hot or too cold. I mean like freezing or 110, not 65 instead of 62.

 

[Muddy Brews]

I'm sure it will be fine. Learn from my mistake, use the wifi, and set it to alert you if the fridge gets too hot or too cold. I mean like freezing or 110, not 65 instead of 62.

Thanks, I have mine set to 110 high and 50 low. 4 min compressor delay. And 3-deg difference heat and cool.

 

[ncbrewer]

Welcome to HBT.

 

[IslandLizard]

Welcome to HBT!

Thanks, I have mine set to 110 high and 50 low. 4 min compressor delay. And 3-deg difference heat and cool.

Wouldn't it more advantageous to get alerts much before it gets too hot or too cold?

IOW, receive alerts when temps deviate more than 5 degrees from the used yeast strain's narrow optimal fermentation range: 50-55°F for Lager yeasts, 60-66°F for Ale yeasts and 70-80°F for Saison yeasts. Exceptions and special conditions or applications apply, of course.

Temp probe placement is important in that context.

 

[Muddy Brews]

Welcome to HBT!


Wouldn't it more advantageous to get alerts much before it gets too hot or too cold?

IOW, receive alerts when temps deviate more than 5 degrees from the used yeast strain's narrow optimal fermentation range: 50-55°F for Lager yeasts, 60-66°F for Ale yeasts and 70-80°F for Saison yeasts. Exceptions and special conditions or applications apply, of course.

Temp probe placement is important in that context.

I do agree with the alarm settings you describe, I'm just not 100% sure how my set up will work. I just didn't want unnecessary alarms until I got a little time on a real batch. As of now, I set it to 68-deg and the unit turns on about 70 and turns off about 66.
I'm using the SafAle WB-06 yeast and this seemed like the middle of the temp range.

I also put the probe on the side of the barrel and put some Styrofoam over it so it's not reading ambient to much.

Thanks for the suggestion, after today, I'll probably set the alarm ranges like you suggested now that I can see the ebb & flow.

 

[ncbrewer]

As of now, I set it to 68-deg and the unit turns on about 70 and turns off about 66.

I think you would be better off with a narrower range. I use a swamp cooler and use heat to maintain the temperature (usually about 75F) after active fermentation is finished. I use a 1 degree range. Works fine, and doesn't seem to cycle too often.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Welcome to the group and congratulations on your first batch!

A little late now but I would be more inclined to work out the fermentation fridge before brewing my first batch of beer.

 

[Muddy Brews]

Welcome to the group and congratulations on your first batch!

A little late now but I would be more inclined to work out the fermentation fridge before brewing my first batch of beer.

Thanks for all the warm welcomes and the advice. I'm excited to be here.

 

[wallyLOZ]

Welcome to HBT!
Also a fan of the Inkbird. I tend to set up temps at the lower end of the yeasts range. I brew mostly ales with a 62F setting. Have never needed heat, since my basement temps are between 65-75 year round. Also leave beer in the fermenter for 3 weeks, bottle and wait another 3 weeks to sample. As you gain experience, you'll devise a system that suits you.
Good luck, cheers!

 

[Muddy Brews]

Welcome to HBT!
Also a fan of the Inkbird. I tend to set up temps at the lower end of the yeasts range. I brew mostly ales with a 62F setting. Have never needed heat, since my basement temps are between 65-75 year round. Also leave beer in the fermenter for 3 weeks, bottle and wait another 3 weeks to sample. As you gain experience, you'll devise a system that suits you.
Good luck, cheers!

Gotcha.
Thanks for the advice on waiting a little longer than what the instructions say. I was contemplating this, but saw pros and cons to waiting longer in the fermenting stage and in the bottling stage.

 

[IslandLizard]

Thanks for the advice on waiting a little longer than what the instructions say.

Just in case, using "secondaries" (secondary fermenters) is pretty much taboo in beer brewing. Some recipes and kit instructions may still mention it, but they're unnecessary or can even be detrimental. Except in a few special scenarios, e.g., mixed fermentation sour beers, or other beers that can benefit from long bulk-conditioning times.

 

[Muddy Brews]

Just in case, using "secondaries" (secondary fermenters) is pretty much taboo in beer brewing. Some recipes and kit instructions may still mention it, but they're unnecessary or can even be detrimental. Except in a few special scenarios, e.g., mixed fermentation sour beers, or other beers that can benefit from long bulk-conditioning times.

Great advice

 

[firerat]

Welcome!!

Seems like you have a good start out the gate!!

 

[TexasTea]

Welcome to the Forum from a Texas brewer.

 

[FogHTX]

Welcome from a fellow Houston brewer. There are several active homebrew clubs in the Houston area depending on which side of the city you're on. Lots of friendly welcoming folks if you need assistance or want to see various types of brewing setups in action

 

[Muddy Brews]

Welcome from a fellow Houston brewer. There are several active homebrew clubs in the Houston area depending on which side of the city you're on. Lots of friendly welcoming folks if you need assistance or want to see various types of brewing setups in action

Thanks

I'm up north close to Tomball.

Also, any local shops to get supplies? Or is online the best?

 

[FogHTX]

Up that direction, your option for local supplies would be Farmboy Brew Shop which is in North Houston just outside 610. It's not my local as I'm on the south side, but I've been there recently and it looks well stocked. One of the more active homebrew clubs meets there - The Foam Rangers.

 

[Muddy Brews]

Up that direction, your option for local supplies would be Farmboy Brew Shop which is in North Houston just outside 610. It's not my local as I'm on the south side, but I've been there recently and it looks well stocked. One of the more active homebrew clubs meets there - The Foam Rangers.

Great. Thanks for the info

 

[TexasTea]

Tomball? LMAO (Small World), I'm just outside Magnolia.

 

[Ramjet]

Welcome to the forum. I use the same setup as you, it works great and it sounds like you're on the right track. Let us know how the hefeweiss turns out. Joining a homebrew club it a great way to learn and meet great people

 

[Muddy Brews]

Sitrep

Brewed on April 14th. Extract kit Hank's Hefeweizen from NB.
I bottled 47 bottles Friday. There in the mini fridge fermenter at 70deg.
It's such a beautiful day here in N Houston I had to try one. Still needs more CO2, but it has a great taste. I can't wait to see what 2ish weeks more does to it. Has about a 3.94%abv

 

[firerat]

Awesome man good work!!

 

[TexasTea]

Good Job!