This forum has been great as I prepared for my first batch this past weekend. I learned a ton from the forum, and also from the brewing experience itself.
I wrote it about it in my blog, just for fun. http://capnbillslog.blogspot.com
There are a bunch of lessons learned and things I'd do differently next time:
-Sanitize using a large bucket instead of the laundry sink so I don't have to keep running downstairs to re-santize. Plus I don't have to worry about re-attaching the washing machine drain pipe and flooding the basement again
-Have a spray bottle of Starsan handy.
-Snow is an insulator... so that's why it took so long to cool the wort. Setting the pot outside in 10F temps doesn't work well either. There's a thermodynamics lesson in there somewhere.
-Remove the pot from the heat when pouring in the LME. A little burned to the bottom of the pot the first go around.
-Get a separate sampling container for the hydrometer. I like Revvy's turkey baster method.
Besides that, I'm already looking forward to my next batch!
I wrote it about it in my blog, just for fun. http://capnbillslog.blogspot.com
There are a bunch of lessons learned and things I'd do differently next time:
-Sanitize using a large bucket instead of the laundry sink so I don't have to keep running downstairs to re-santize. Plus I don't have to worry about re-attaching the washing machine drain pipe and flooding the basement again
-Have a spray bottle of Starsan handy.
-Snow is an insulator... so that's why it took so long to cool the wort. Setting the pot outside in 10F temps doesn't work well either. There's a thermodynamics lesson in there somewhere.
-Remove the pot from the heat when pouring in the LME. A little burned to the bottom of the pot the first go around.
-Get a separate sampling container for the hydrometer. I like Revvy's turkey baster method.
Besides that, I'm already looking forward to my next batch!
