"Life-Hacks" For Homebrewers...Add yours;

[Broken Crow]

It just occurred to me that there isn't a thread dedicated to the 'little details' many of us discover and devise solutions for on our own as we go from a beginner to wherever we are on our mutual brewing-journey. Here's a couple of mine:
Dial Thermometer Adjust-screw: On the back of any proper dial thermometer is an adjustment screw and it is stiff. When calibrating it can be difficult to get it into the exact position you want so; mark it's position and count your turns as you loosen it enough that you can take a thread or corner of an envelope with a dab of keg-lube (or even a drop of 3-in-1 oil) and work some lube in behind it, then return it to it's initial position and when you turn it to calibrate it will now move smoothly.
Gloves: Get a pair of rubber gloves one size too large for your hands:

And a pair of those cheap 'disposable' cotton-knit work gloves that can be bought in bundles:

With the cotton gloves on the inside, you can reach into boiling water or wort for up to a minute before it gets too hot.

What are your solutions that you found for details that just never seem to come up in threads?

 

[passedpawn]

I'll contribute. Truth, I've posted these lots of times before.

This was my bottling bucket ( before I kegged ). I could do 2 bottles at the same time. Woot!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/double-barrel-bottling-now-twice-fast-257264/

This is how I monitored when my bottled beer was finished carbonating. Haha.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/pressure-gauge-mounted-bottle-cap-268151/

How to maintain my autosiphon at the perfect depth...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/autosiphon-holder-solution-revisited-163373/

How to mill grain when you don't have a mill... use the paper shredder

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/paper-shredder-mill-203515/

Make your own 2.5g fermenter with a jar from Target...
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/2-1-2-gallon-montana-jar-fermenter-200328/

And, my 17,000 gallon beer chilling system and pool noodle flotation device. Can't believe I moved away from that

 

[Bramling Cross]

I've been brewing for thirty years and my number one "little detail" that makes the brewday so much easier is: no beer until the yeast is pitched.

 

[MaxStout]

In winter, I bring the brewing operations indoors. With a glass top electric range my heating abilities are limited. To do full volume BIAB in an 8 gallon Megapot, the range needs a little help from a 1500W 120V bucket heater. Once I get to a boil, I can remove the bucket heater, as the stove top has enough power to maintain a good boil.

I've posted this in the DIY section, but can't find the thread so I'll paste in a couple pics here. Draining the bag using a typical colander is messy, as the bag tends to muffin-top over the edges. I made this from a 5-gallon bucket, cut roughly in half and a bunch of holes drilled in the bottom. Some ss carriage bolts and sheet metal for gussets and now, no more spilled wort.

 

[Willy]

In the winter - I fill up a mini pool with water which gets mostly frozen on some nights or at least cold as hell. Next day on brew day chill as usual with a hose. Then, I use ice water with a sump pump to circulate some really cold water once the temp gets to 125°
Saves me a lot of time.

 

[Closet Fermenter]

Putting this together for my key ring was a great help. I sawed off a ½” and 9/16” wrench and drilled holes so that they would slip on a split ring. The half inch wrench loosens/tightens the lock nut on a couple of the regulators I use. The little screwdriver will turn the adjustment screw on the regulator, and it also has a handy bottle opener.
The 9/16” wrench fits the nut on my swivel barbs when I remove or add a connector to one of my beer or gas lines.
One of the most handy things is the little aluminum peg on the right. This is a extra frame pin I used to carry when backpacking in case I or one of my buddies lost one. It’s perfect for depressing the pin inside a ball lock connector when purging or draining lines. I put the wide end into the connector and press on the ringed end; no more sore fingers!
I pretty much keep this on my key ring all the time, as these are two of the most common wrench sizes I use anywhere and it’s always nice to have a screwdriver and bottle opener handy!

 

[leedspointbrew]

In winter, I bring the brewing operations indoors. With a glass top electric range my heating abilities are limited. To do full volume BIAB in an 8 gallon Megapot, the range needs a little help from a 1500W 120V bucket heater. Once I get to a boil, I can remove the bucket heater, as the stove top has enough power to maintain a good boil.
View attachment 860352


I've posted this in the DIY section, but can't find the thread so I'll paste in a couple pics here. Draining the bag using a typical colander is messy, as the bag tends to muffin-top over the edges. I made this from a 5-gallon bucket, cut roughly in half and a bunch of holes drilled in the bottom. Some ss carriage bolts and sheet metal for gussets and now, no more spilled wort.
View attachment 860351

View attachment 860349

That's cool. I'm stealing this idea.

 

[Bramling Cross]

That's cool. I'm stealing this idea.

I've forwarded it to two BIAB friends. It's a really good idea.

 

[MaxStout]

View attachment 860366

Putting this together for my key ring was a great help. I sawed off a ½” and 9/16” wrench and drilled holes so that they would slip on a split ring. The half inch wrench loosens/tightens the lock nut on a couple of the regulators I use. The little screwdriver will turn the adjustment screw on the regulator, and it also has a handy bottle opener.
The 9/16” wrench fits the nut on my swivel barbs when I remove or add a connector to one of my beer or gas lines.
One of the most handy things is the little aluminum peg on the right. This is a extra frame pin I used to carry when backpacking in case I or one of my buddies lost one. It’s perfect for depressing the pin inside a ball lock connector when purging or draining lines. I put the wide end into the connector and press on the ringed end; no more sore fingers!
I pretty much keep this on my key ring all the time, as these are two of the most common wrench sizes I use anywhere and it’s always nice to have a screwdriver and bottle opener handy!

I have an assortment of open end wrenches, some metric, some SAE, for things like ball valves, etc. I might have to crib that idea and keep them all on a "brewing gear keychain." Might be a half-dozen wrenches in all.

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

The cheapskate's alternative to a Tilt/iSpindel is a test tube that you fill after the yeast has been added, and then just keep it covered with plastic wrap. After the krausen drops, wipe the schmutz from the inside of the tube with a paper towel, put the hydrometer in (and leave it in), and cover it back up. Easy to see when it's finished fermenting, and you only waste a single 4 to 5 ounce sample.

 

[ncbrewer]

Gloves: Get a pair of rubber gloves one size too large for your hands:

And a pair of those cheap 'disposable' cotton-knit work gloves that can be bought in bundles:

With the cotton gloves on the inside, you can reach into boiling water or wort for up to a minute before it gets too hot.

I use diving gloves, but they don't insulate as well as I would like. I'll try your idea. Thanks.

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

I brew in the kitchen (induction cook top, 2.5 gal batches) and store equipment in the basement. A brew day equipment box saves on trips to the basement. I also have a separate bottling equipment box with some duplicate items (50g x 0.001 scale, measuring spoons).

 

[Hoochin'Fool]

I brew in the kitchen (induction cook top, 2.5 gal batches) and store equipment in the basement. A brew day equipment box saves on trips to the basement. I also have a separate bottling equipment box with some duplicate items (50g x 0.001 scale, measuring spoons).

Alternatively, making 20 trips up and down the stairs, from kitchen to basement, counts as exercise AND cardio, which means you can drink an extra beer or three!

 

[Broken Crow]

The cheapskate's alternative to a Tilt/iSpindel is a test tube that you fill after the yeast has been added, and then just keep it covered with plastic wrap. After the krausen drops, wipe the schmutz from the inside of the tube with a paper towel, put the hydrometer in (and leave it in), and cover it back up. Easy to see when it's finished fermenting, and you only waste a single 4 to 5 ounce sample.

View attachment 860377

While I really like that idea it conflicts with my normal treatment of a hydrometer sample.. I usually plan for a lazy supper on brewday and pour my sample over a pork-roast in the crockpot.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

I have an assortment of open end wrenches, some metric, some SAE, for things like ball valves, etc. I might have to crib that idea and keep them all on a "brewing gear keychain." Might be a half-dozen wrenches in all.

I bought a small plastic ammo box to keep my brewery tools in.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Alternatively, making 20 trips up and down the stairs, from kitchen to basement, counts as exercise AND cardio, which means you can drink an extra beer or three!

That's where I'm missing out on good exercises, I brew and drink in the basement. I guess hauling the spent grain to the woods counts as exercise though.

 

[Deadalus]

This tool is super handy. It fits keg posts and flare nuts, flathead, bottle opener, and poppet depressor. Can be found on the FB Marketplace $19 shipped. I'm not affiliated in any way, just love it. I have the black flat Komos tool too but don't find it fits regulator nuts as it should.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/461524142213769/?ref=saved&referral_code=null

 

[BrewnWKopperKat]

"Bus boy" tubs (helps consolidate some of those trips to the basement ); cotton 14x17 towels ("always be cleaning"); and a multi-purpose tool.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

"Bus boy" tubs (helps consolidate some of those trips to the basement ); cotton 14x17 towels ("always be cleaning"); and a multi-purpose tool.

I have three of those bus tubs I use all of the time. Great for cleaning and/or sanitizing small parts and hoses.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

This tool is super handy. It fits keg posts and flare nuts, flathead, bottle opener, and poppet depressor. Can be found on the FB Marketplace $19 shipped. I'm not affiliated in any way, just love it. I have the black flat Komos tool too but don't find it fits regulator nuts as it should.
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/461524142213769/?ref=saved&referral_code=nullView attachment 860380

Makes a great stocking stuffer! Christmas isn't far off.

 

[Deadalus]

I'm a big fan of wheels. I carved out a brewing space in my garage but originally I would wheel first a propane cooker stand and then a wheeled SS table for the EHERMS outside. If you have to store your gear on a shelf, might as well have wheels on it. Or build a cart, table, or brew rig with wheels. Cuts down on the number of trips.


My table saw, router, and miter saw are all on wheels too since I can't really use them in the garage as there isn't enough space.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

I'm a big fan of wheels. I carved out a brewing space in my garage but originally I would wheel first a propane cooker stand and then a wheeled SS table for the EHERMS outside. If you have to store your gear on a shelf, might as well have wheels on it. Or build a cart, table, or brew rig with wheels. Cuts down on the number of trips.


My table saw, router, and miter saw are all on wheels too since I can't really use them in the garage as there isn't enough space.

Everything in my brewery is on wheels too.

I always think back to a DIY show, "Everything on Wheels". Someday I'll be on wheels too.

 

[MaxStout]

One of those long wallpaper trays, a couple bucks at the home center. Great for sanitizing long, narrow items, like siphons, stir spoons, wine thief, etc.

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

One of those long wallpaper trays, a couple bucks at the home center. Great for sanitizing long, narrow items, like siphons, stir spoons, wine thief, etc.

I just picked one up!

 

[MaxStout]

I just picked one up!

Sometimes when I have a little time to browse Home D or Lowe's, I look around at stuff and think about if something might be helpful for brewing. I saw those trays and thought, "Yep!"

(My brewing brain never shuts off.)

 

[OakIslandBrewery]

Sometimes when I have a little time to browse Home D or Lowe's, I look around at stuff and think about if something might be helpful for brewing. I saw those trays and thought, "Yep!"

(My brewing brain never shuts off.)

I do the same, Fleet Farm is a great resource for beer brewing. The dairy aisle is full of great ideas!

The tray I bought was from Menards. I'm using it as a water catch for hung up hoses.

 

[Rish]

After struggling with my fv lids for a couple of years it dawned on me to look for a paint bucket opener. Definitely worth the few bucks it cost.

 

[Ninoid]

High Gravity Brewing doubles the amount of grain in one brew and dilutes with water just before pitching yeast to get double the amount of beer in one brew.

 

[Closet Fermenter]

High Gravity Brewing doubles the amount of grain in one brew and dilutes with water just before pitching yeast to get double the amount of beer in one brew.

Hey, while you’re at it, why not dilute with refrigerated water right after the boil to facilitate the chilling?

I have done something similar when making a batch of wine with store-bought juices. I need to heat some of the juice to dissolve the added sugar, but this gets me above the temperature that I can pitch the yeast. So, I refrigerate a good portion of the juice ahead of time and add it to reduce the temperature of the heated juice so that I can pitch the yeast.

 

[Ninoid]

Hey, while you’re at it, why dilute with refrigerated water right after the boil to facilitate the chilling?

I have done something similar when making a batch of wine with store-bought juices. I need to heat some of the juice to dissolve the added sugar, but this gets me above the temperature that I can pitch the yeast. So, I refrigerate a good portion of the juice ahead of time and add it to reduce the temperature of the heated juice so that I can pitch the yeast.

That's what I was thinking too, but I don't have room in the fridge for 20L of water, so I use tap water. And it cools me down to almost 10'C. I cool the wort naturally (no chill), so that also significantly shortens the cooling time, especially since cooling those last ten degrees Celsius naturally takes the longest.

 

[Agent]

Anything not used exclusively for brewing can come out of a different budget line item.

 

[Closet Fermenter]

That's what I was thinking too, but I don't have room in the fridge for 20L of water, so I use tap water. And it cools me down to almost 10'C. I cool the wort naturally (no chill), so that also significantly shortens the cooling time, especially since cooling those last ten degrees Celsius naturally takes the longest.

Even if you don’t have room for the whole 20L, any portion that you can get really cold will get you down a lot quicker. Utilize any freezer space as well as long as you don’t let it actually freeze. I have put jugs of grape juice in my freezer many times to get them really cold.

 

[Erik the Anglophile]

I'll contribute. Truth, I've posted these lots of times before.

This was my bottling bucket ( before I kegged ). I could do 2 bottles at the same time. Woot!

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f35/double-barrel-bottling-now-twice-fast-257264/

This is how I monitored when my bottled beer was finished carbonating. Haha.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/pressure-gauge-mounted-bottle-cap-268151/

How to maintain my autosiphon at the perfect depth...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/autosiphon-holder-solution-revisited-163373/

How to mill grain when you don't have a mill... use the paper shredder

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/paper-shredder-mill-203515/

Make your own 2.5g fermenter with a jar from Target...
https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f51/2-1-2-gallon-montana-jar-fermenter-200328/

And, my 17,000 gallon beer chilling system and pool noodle flotation device. Can't believe I moved away from that

Dual wielding bottle wands, the Duke Nukem of bottling.
"I'm here to bottle beer and chew gum, and I'm all outta gum"

 

[mac_1103]

Hey, while you’re at it, why not dilute with refrigerated water right after the boil to facilitate the chilling?

This is what I used to do when I started out with extract brewing on the stove top and didn't have a wort chiller.

Utilize any freezer space as well as long as you don’t let it actually freeze.

You actually can let it freeze as long as you use something that you can get it out of, like large yogurt containers. Sanitized of course.

 

[MaxStout]

Anything not used exclusively for brewing can come out of a different budget line item.

View attachment 861031

I've done that with a few items. E.g., I needed a vac-sealer for hops, but we also use it for lots of food items.

The key to getting gear (and keeping family harmony) is find a way to parlay it into other household uses.

 

[Willy]

I did a thorough beer line cleaning of the 6 taps on the keezer using a 4 way manifold for the first time. You really need a lot of "flow rate" to get all 4 lines cleaning at once and a sump pump in a bucket of BLC/water worked great. I had 4 short 2 1/2 foot lines hooked to the taps and draining back to the bucket. Reminded me of milking beer cows... A holstein hefeweizen kind of dream. I grew up in Wisconsin so I dream of cows a lot

 

[MaxStout]

Reminded me of milking beer cows... A holstein hefeweizen kind of dream. I grew up in Wisconsin so I dream of cows a lot

I think there's an AI image generator opportunity in this.

 

[Willy]

I think there's an AI image generator opportunity in this.

Made me think of a New Glarus Spotted Cow. (Lots of people love it. Not a big fan)

 

[MaxStout]

Made me think of a New Glarus Spotted Cow. (Lots of people love it. Not a big fan)

I tried a couple AI sites. Best I could get was this.

 

[wepeeler]