Hello from Cincinnati!

[strohmja]

Hello all!

After returning home from Oktoberfest, my wonderful girlfriend suprised me with a home-brewing kit. Needless to say, I was excited. Naturally I went on google to find out all the information I could on my newfound hobby and quickly came across this forum. It has been an eye-opener to say the least.

I have been leeching more information that I know what to do with over the last few days but have a question before our first brew day (english brown ale) this weekend.

Right now I am using an old keg I popped the top off and the burner from my turkey fryer. I do not have a spigot or any form of chiller. I would prefer to do a full boil, but I can't figure out how to cool it down effectively.

The best solution I have is to boil 3-4 gallons, then add a gallon worth of ice to bring initial temps down and spray the keg down with a hose until it's cool enough to pick up and dump into my primary, topping off with ice or cold water to level temps and volume. If I needed further cooling, I could make an ice bath from a big plastic bucket.

Can anyone offer other suggestions?

Thanks,
Alex

 

[crlova2]

This dude is trying to sell a wort chiller near Cinci. After a couple months of not having a wort chiller even with 3-4 gallon boils I would say just go ahead and get one if you can find one cheap.

 

[VABeerSnob]

A wort chiller is a time saver, but not necessary. I did not have one for the first year I brewed. I used an ice bath.

Your ideas are okay, but the first consideration, both during and after cooling, must be sanitation. You don't want any microscopic beasts eating the sugar out of your wort except the ones you hand-picked, that is, your yeast.

That having been said, here is my free advice, and worth every penny:

1. Don't add ice to the wort. Germs live in it.
2. If you let it sit overnight to cool, keep it covered.
3. If you can't wait for it to cool overnight, use an ice bath and stir, but make sure the spoon you stir it with is sanitized.

I hope this isn't too late. Good luck, happy brewing, and welcome to the addiction!