Help me get my hubby his Christmas gift!

[BigJack]

Is the fast rack the same as him taking over my dishwasher racks to dry his bottles or does it actually help sanitize. Tell me more, because that is usually my job and I HATE it lol. And is the individual pieces posted for the mash tun the same as what was posted above that I can just purchase put together?

The fast racks give him a place to put the bottles as soon as the dishwasher is done sanitizing. They are also great for storing empty bottles until the next batch. They are also great for putting in plastic tubs for soaking bottles in oxyclean to remove old labels. They are also great for holding bottles as they dry between washing and sanitizing. And if he's handy, he can build a bottle washing rig that shoots cleaner and/or sanitizer up into the bottles under pressure while the racks hold them in place.

In other words, there are tons of possible uses.

 

[benco]

This hobby is endless as for what to get him! I'm sure he will appreciate whatever you get him. If your ordering online, you don't want to wait to long we all are running out of time!

 

[te-wa]

i shop at Jasper's too, they make kits to order instead of pre-packaged box kits from other places in the north and from texas

for all grain he needs 2 cookpots, so get him a stainless 6+ gallon pot, the mash tun i already linked - he needs fresh coffee beans and a way to grind them for the kit. also, 20 ounces of baking chocolate.

 

[Brittany0731]

I posted before I saw your response. Sorry. So is that mash tun thing all he would need equipment-wise?

 

[Rev2010]

same as this http://www.learntobrew.com/store/it...n_with_SS_False_Bottom_and_SS_Ball_Valve.html
rev2010?

Yes, same basically, but that one has what is called a false bottom, basically does the same thing as that bazooka tube I'd linked but I prefer the tube personally. But yes, that will work equally well for him.


Rev.

 

[Brittany0731]

And another pot.

 

[Brittany0731]

Is there a reason you prefer that to the false bottom, Rev?

 

[beergolf]

There are two things that will help a newer brewer make better beer. A good way to control fermentation temperature and a way to make yeast starters.

Here is an inexpensive way to help control ferm temps.

http://www.homebrewing.org/Cool-Brew_p_2909.html

A stir plate and a 2L flask is a good purchase also

http://www.homebrewing.org/The-Stirstarter-Yeast-Stir-Plate-_p_1306.html

you can get thhe cooler, the stir plate and the flask for under $150

 

[ny101]

Is there a reason you prefer that to the false bottom, Rev?

I believe it is easier to use. There is a lot of back and forth on the subject though.

 

[Brewmex41]

Maybe a couple of Brewing books? I love reading mine over and over again.

 

[Justdrumin]

My advice would be to get him a stir plate and temperature control. Two of the most important things in homebrewing. This will help him pitch the right amount of yeast and make sure they're happy during fermentation. The only way to consistently make what would have been good beer...GREAT! I use an STC-1000, $20 on amazon and a mini fridge I got for $20 on Craigslist. A stir plate can also be built on the cheap with a computer fan and a few parts if you think he can do a simple diy. Both of those can probably be done for $150. If you buy a new fridge, it may cost a little more. I still do partial mash and have not made the jump to all grain because I did this instead and dont regret it for a second. Just my .02 cents. I'm sure someone will chime in and agree.

 

[Justdrumin]

There are two things that will help a newer brewer make better beer. A good way to control fermentation temperature and a way to make yeast starters.

Here is an inexpensive way to help control ferm temps.

http://www.homebrewing.org/Cool-Brew_p_2909.html

A stir plate and a 2L flask is a good purchase also

http://www.homebrewing.org/The-Stirstarter-Yeast-Stir-Plate-_p_1306.html

you can get thhe cooler, the stir plate and the flask for under $150

You beat me to it!! Totally agreed. It took me a while to type my post.

 

[WileECoyote]

If you don't know anything about it, then give cards are the way to go.

+1, can't go wrong with this ^^^^^^^^^^

Cheers

 

[Brittany0731]

Being that we are freezing in Chicago right now I don't think he should need a cooler just yet. He keeps it in the garage. : )

 

[cheezydemon3]

My bad, CheezyDemon ; )

Just joking with you! It is actually a fantastic nonsensically humorous idea I wish I had thought of.



Here we go!~

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f45/someone-has-die-447918/

 

[Justdrumin]

Being that we are freezing in Chicago right now I don't think he should need a cooler just yet. He keeps it in the garage. : )

This might be true for lagers, which typically ferment in the 50's, but ales need to ferment in the low to high 60's. Depending on how cold your garage gets, it may be too cold for ales. With a temp controller, a mini fridge, and some sort of heating element, he can ferment whatever he wants all year long.

 

[Brittany0731]

Jusdrummin what is that thing? lol

 

[Cider123]

Hi nice lady,

Very thoughtful of you to go through this work to find gifts for your husband.
I agree with the temp control, stir plate and flask. Being able to make starters is something he will want to do.

I don't want to open a can of worms with the other folks here, but there is a great way to get your guy into all grain brewing with much less effort and equipment. For $7 (on top of whatever else you buy him) you can buy this from morebeer.com
http://morebeer.com/products/mesh-bag-29in-drawstring.html

That bag is used by all grain brewers like me to get the same results as those who use a lot more equipment like mash tuns, etc. The process is called BIAB which stands for Brew in a Bag. He may not want to do this, but for 7 bucks it is worth a try. Go to youtube and type in BIAB brewing and it will show you how its done. Many of us use this method with excellent results. He already has everything else he needs. The only thing is for making 5 gallon batches it is best to at least have a 10 gallon pot if not a 15.

Just a suggestion. You can get all the supplies you want form morebeer.com also. I use them now and then but they have great bags for a good price.

 

[Brittany0731]

Nice lady. lol. Thanks!! So if I am hearing everyone right temp and flask is the way to go. So then I need to purchase the flask, the stirrer, this cooler cover thing, whatever that temp thing is that JustDrummin linked and what else?

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH FOR BARING WITH ME!!! Sorry for all the dumb newb q's ; )

 

[Brittany0731]

Could I use this instead of the cooler bag?

https://bellsbeer.com/store/products/Brewer's-Best®-Brew-Belt.html

 

[Brittany0731]

Or this? This is at the brew store right down the street

http://www.chicagobrewwerks.com/the-brew-belt-carboy-heating-belt/dp/600

 

[beergolf]

Or this? This is at the brew store right down the street

http://www.chicagobrewwerks.com/the-brew-belt-carboy-heating-belt/dp/600

That would work to warm things up. Most of the year you need a way to cool the brew, since most ale yeasts like temps in the low 60's.

 

[Justdrumin]

Jusdrummin what is that thing? lol

http://www.amazon.com/Elitech-All-Purpose-Temperature-Controller-Thermostat/dp/B008KVCPH2/ref=pd_sim_hi_4

That's what I bought fairly cheap. It works FANTASTIC! Its a little fun DIY project for him too : )

Here's the link for how to make it too.
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/ebay-aquarium-temp-controller-build-163849/

That's worth it's weight in gold. It's an easy build and hooked up to a cheap mini fridge with a heat source, a brew belt, or a coffee can lightbulb setup, it will make his beer go from good to great. I currently have the same exact setup.

 

[Brittany0731]

So I would purchase the belt, your Amazon contraption, a mini fridge (does the belt go on the bucket and the whole thing goes in the fridge?), and what else to make it?

 

[PastorofMuppets]

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/

the best investment for the kitchen and brewing.

 

[Justdrumin]

So I would purchase the belt, your Amazon contraption, a mini fridge (does the belt go on the bucket and the whole thing goes in the fridge?), and what else to make it?

One thing, I would highly recommend a used fridge. He's gonna need to tear it apart a little bit to get the bucket to fit. Which is very simple, but would destroy a new fridge. Yes, the belt wraps around the bucket which goes in the fridge. The belt and the fridge plug into the temp controller and he can set the controller to a specific temp, which makes the yeast very happy, and the controller will either turn the belt on to warm it or turn the fridge on to cool it.

Edit: He will need a few other small miscellaneous items from Home Depot and Radio Shack which are all listed in the build thread I linked in my other post. I'm sure he'll enjoy pickin those things up though. I love goin to HD : )

 

[Brittany0731]

What in the hell?!? I didn't know such an expensive thermometer existed!!

 

[Brittany0731]

I'm sure he'll enjoy pickin those things up though. I love goin to HD : )

Lord, you have no idea the time and money this man could spend in a home improvement store...
I appreciate all of your help, guys, so freaking much it isn't even funny. Things have been rough around here so I want to make sure he has an extra special Christmas and knows just how awesome I think he is : ) This all should definitely help!

 

[Justdrumin]

What in the hell?!? I didn't know such an expensive thermometer existed!!

Lol! Yes it does. They are fantastic for brewing. Mainly for all grain where mash temps are critical. That's literally the best one you can buy though. They sell some that are a little less expensive that are still great. I don't own one for obvious reasons, it's a bit outta my price range!!

 

[HomebrewHandicapper]

My wife got me a bottle washer for Christmas back when I started and I still thank her pretty much every time I use it. For the money, I can't think of anything I appreciate more. Merry Christmas.