New brewer questions

[turnNburn]

Hey guys, just started my first batch ever on the 28th of march, and after watching a few videos of other people's operations, im pretty apprehensive about how itll turn out; hopefully i can do a little better next time, but i have a few gripes...

i couldnt get it to cool, and didnt even think about ice until like 8 hours later, after it had cooled down to room temp.

i spilled like a quarter of the package of yeast i was using, and the package itself turned out afterwords to be only about 2/3 of how much i actually needed, so i think i needed twice as much as went in.

the measuring cup i used for the DME turned out to have missed the sterilization process by some oversight of my significant other's (dont tell her though), same think with the wisk i was using to stir

i couldnt get the wort to actually boil, even after over an hour on the burner, so it was just as hot as i could get it (maybe 150?) for about 90 minutes.

...i guess my only question would be: how much of a mess have i gotten myself into?

 

[Lcasanova]

eh, just let it be and see how it turns out!

I use a cooler plus 2 bags of ice and water to cool my brew pot, and its down to 100 in about 20 minutes...add cold water and it's around 80.

I wouldn't worry too much about my measuring utensils unless i were using them after/during cooling, the boiling kills bacteria

-How much were you boiling? I can bring 3.5 gallons to a boil in a reasonable amount of time on an electric range...maybe switch to partial boils...

 

[turnNburn]

it was only like a gallon and a half of water, but our stove is one of those flush-top electric heater jobs. i was a little wary of boiling the water in separate pots because i was under the impression you needed to combine the ingredients and water before it got hot

 

[Lcasanova]

I don't know anything about split boils...sounds like your stove sucks, how do you boil water for pasta?

 

[Homercidal]

Welcome!

You can split the batch into 2 pots, but you will have to split the additions into 2 equal amounts as well. Also know that the amount of extraction you get from the hops depends on the gravity of the liquid, so a thinner wort will extract more hop bitterness than a thicker wort. You may have to adjust for the gravity of the two pots.

I would use as much water as you get to boil and then add any needed water after you have cooled and combined the boiled wort (using previously boiled and chilled water).

At some point in the future you may want to look into something like a turkey fryer for around $50. You get a decent burner and 7 gallon brewpot. Then you can do full boils, which is nice for either extract brewing or All Grain brewing.

 

[turnNburn]

well all i used was a can of hop-flavored extract and some amber dry malt to make up the difference in the recipe, no actual hops or anything

yeah my stove stinks; a turkey fryer, you say? hmm...

 

[Frodo]

yeah my stove stinks; a turkey fryer, you say? hmm...

Uh oh, you're on the slippery slope! Welcome to HBT.

 

[WildGingerBrewing]

Welcome to HBT. Just remember no matter what happens, RDWHAHB, I'm sure it will be fine.

Turkey fryer works great. I use my fish cooker that I bought at Bass Pro Shops. I did go buy a 4 gal pot but the propane burner is awesome. I also get to brew in the garage away from SWMBO and kids! ha

 

[DragonTail]

Welcome

 

[brewslut]

yep 1st batch and already moving outside to turkey fryer....yep your f$&ked!!! Welcome to hell my brother!! dont sweat the first batch It will get easier there is tons of good info avail and many nice brewers to help out!! slow down,relax have fun!!!!

 

[turnNburn]

yeah better get another mortgage i guess haha

 

[JoshuaWhite5522]

TurnNBurn-

1- wecome to the greatest hobby ever
2- RDWHAHB
3- I don't worry too much over sanitization until after the boild (keep your equipment clean though)
4- Underpitching your yeast isn't always bad, sometimes you end up with a greater amount of esters, and that might help depending on the style of beer, you always IMO want some yeast growth in your beer.
5- Place your pot(s) in a sink or bathtub full of ice water to help chill the wort if you can circulate the water around the pot you boiled in that will help cool things off

anyway congrats on your first brew, my brother in law dropped my digital thermometer in my first batch and it still came out ok, you'll get your process down soon and will love your new hobby

 

[KevinW]

Welcom TurnNburn

Making mistakes is human, repeating the mistakes makes bad beer! This really is a great site for help so keep reading and asking and as always, keep brewing!