Kit Assistance Please

[mmb]

I can't think of a time when I pour wort into anything. I either drain it through the valve in my kettle or I siphon it with the Auto-Siphon.

I did it once, about 14 years ago, with my first batch. My starter kit came with a large funnel with some filter disk that snapped into the cone.

Yah, that ended poorly. Filter medium clogged up and wort all over the floor. Last time using that, I've siphoned with racking canes/auto siphon ever since.

 

[withoutink]

Ya, my plan is to siphon everything.

 

[brewprint]

I did it once, about 14 years ago, with my first batch. My starter kit came with a large funnel with some filter disk that snapped into the cone.

Yah, that ended poorly. Filter medium clogged up and wort all over the floor. Last time using that, I've siphoned with racking canes/auto siphon ever since.

Same here except I only started months ago. Now I use the funnel to dump my starters into the flask and no screen.

 

[rodwha]

I don't concern myself with filtering anything other than my tap water, though I do use muslin bags (*filter*), and dump from my pot into my bucket. Anything in there will settle out. I usually end up with maybe 3/8" of trub from a 6 gal batch.

 

[Newsman]

I wouldn't use a handle for a better bottle... I'd just get a carboy hauler or use a milk crate. The nice thing about the carboy hauler is that it is all nylon and will lift a full carboy. I'd be afraid of snapping the neck off a Better Bottle with a carboy handle.

 

[withoutink]

I wouldn't use a handle for a better bottle... I'd just get a carboy hauler or use a milk crate. The nice thing about the carboy hauler is that it is all nylon and will lift a full carboy. I'd be afraid of snapping the neck off a Better Bottle with a carboy handle.

I like your thinking, I will get a milk crate!

 

[withoutink]

Oh, forgot to mention I placed my order, and hopefully i can get the quantities I need for ingredients for my first brew attempt: https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f68/none-more-black-vanilla-stout-96969/

 

[withoutink]

Part one of the equipment arrived today.

 

[rodwha]

Quite the investment!

Congrats on your new obsession…err, I mean hobby!

 

[rodwha]

Do you have a means of controlling the fermentation temperatures?

 

[withoutink]

Quite the investment!

Congrats on your new obsession…err, I mean hobby!

Thanks!

I got all of it at cost. Luckily My wife's company has an acct at LD Carlson. So I got a great deal!

As far as temp control, still working it out. I'll will be fermenting in the basement, and will most likely have a swamp cooler to start.

I work at home, in the basement at that, so I should be able to keep it pretty well in check. If I need to change it up. I'll have to come up with a plan b.

 

[rodwha]

I did what you are likely thinking of for about 3 years. It worked rather well, but it tied me to the house as I couldn't leave it for too long (8-12 hrs).

We since moved, and I lost my extra room so I got a chest freezer and temp controller out of it. I'll be free to roam (or camp) now!

If you can find a free or cheap used fridge/freezer you can spend $20 on an STC-1000 temp controller and but a cheap (13+ amp) extension cord and not have any worries.

 

[rodwha]

What are the temps like down in the basement? Summer/Winter highs/lows?

 

[withoutink]

I did what you are likely thinking of for about 3 years. It worked rather well, but it tied me to the house as I couldn't leave it for too long (8-12 hrs).

We since moved, and I lost my extra room so I got a chest freezer and temp controller out of it. I'll be free to roam (or camp) now!

If you can find a free or cheap used fridge/freezer you can spend $20 on an STC-1000 temp controller and but a cheap (13+ amp) extension cord and not have any worries.

Ugh. I just sold an extra fridge before I committed to this new hobby. Thanks for the info though. I'll keep a look out for one.

 

[withoutink]

What are the temps like down in the basement? Summer/Winter highs/lows?

Winter is 65-68
Summer is 74-76

 

[rodwha]

HomeDepot had a fair deal on a 7 cu ft chest freezer for ~$200. I went with new as I want to know it will last a long time.

I didn't wire mine up the way most do as I'm not concerned with the warranty as it's a GE with raving reviews. I wired mine direct and without heat as it's indoors.

What of your basement temps?

 

[rodwha]

And there they are… I was slow...

 

[rodwha]

Are you in a location that has an actual 4 seasons? Down here in TX spring and fall last a few weeks it seems…

The winter temps will be great for you as the temp will be slower to rise. I notice that in the cooler times down here (when we have them - I got married [swindled] on Dec 7th many moons back with a high in the mid 70's!).

 

[withoutink]

Are you in a location that has an actual 4 seasons? Down here in TX spring and fall last a few weeks it seems…

The winter temps will be great for you as the temp will be slower to rise. I notice that in the cooler times down here (when we have them - I got married [swindled] on Dec 7th many moons back with a high in the mid 70's!).

We are in the mountains of Georgia. In the foothills of Appalachia. We get four seasons. It was bitter cold this past winter. And lasted a long time. Spring went by quick. Summer has been in the 80's-90's.

 

[withoutink]

HomeDepot had a fair deal on a 7 cu ft chest freezer for ~$200. I went with new as I want to know it will last a long time.

I didn't wire mine up the way most do as I'm not concerned with the warranty as it's a GE with raving reviews. I wired mine direct and without heat as it's indoors.

What of your basement temps?

Cool if I go that route I'll pick your brain.

 

[rodwha]

We were originally looking at moving to VA. Tired of too much hot an humid with a lack of seasons. Love mountains and wanted to be close, if not right by them.

But the hunting is nice! Plenty of deer!

 

[rodwha]

I find it odd that there aren't videos showing the direct wiring of a temp controller. Maybe I should have made one myself… I did it in a way that the power light still works.

I did try to wire it in a way that I could put it all back as it was in case I needed the warranty, but it just wasn't going to work out well.

It's free for the pickin'!