Howdy!

[GeoBeer]

I finally got around to buying a kit (it's been about 8 years now!) and have my first batch in the fermenter. I have plenty of questions, but will try and only post the most pressing. Thanks (in advance) for all of your help.

Cheers,
Adam

 

[GeoBeer]

actually, it's been longer than 8 years - since college - but I've always found an excuse to not get into it. Finally, now that I have an extra bathroom (always thought it should be brewed in the bathtub) I figured it was time to give it a go.

Ok - here goes....so I started my first batch last Sunday (NB Nut Brown Ale). I never saw any bubbling in the airlock (think ( have a leaky lid). Yesterday I opened the lid and it looks like there is a bit of bubbling going on, but not the frothing that I've seen talked about. The stuff sure smells good! I took a hydrometer reading and it came out as 1.01. I plan to take another reading on Sunday and see if it's consistent . Everyone mentions secondary fermentation, but I don't have the equipment (I assume I need a 2nd fermentation bucket). So, I guess if it's consistent, I'll go to bottling. I'm uncertain that things are going "well" but everyone seems to say just to let things happen and it'll turn out ok.

Adam

 

[GeoBeer]

Thanks for the feedback, that's sort of what I thought, but it's good to get confirmation. Are those plastic fermenters a good alternative to glass? I would really like to see what's going on, so the bucket is frustrating!!

Cheers,
Adam

 

[McKBrew]

The plastic better bottles are just as good as glass. The advantage is that they are light, easy to carry and pretty much unbreakable.

You aren't supposed to use a brush to clean them, but a scoop of oxyclean and a gallon or so of water will remove anything.

 

[GeoBeer]

so would you use one as both a primary and a secondary?