New guy from Lubbock, TX

[adamhimself]

Hello everyone,

I decided to make the jump into homebrewing and I know I am going to fit in right at home. I get really into things like this and I have been looking for a new hobby. I have been reading The Complete Joy of Homebrewing by Charlie Papizan in order to bring myself up to speed. I can tell this is going to be one of those things that trial and error teaches me. You can read all you want, but until you actually sit down and brew, you don't know jack.

Anyways, I am finding all of this brew stuff intimidating. So many things to watch out for and measurements and whether or not to do this or that.

I was going to post in the beginners forum, but I figure I would just ask here.

I want to get started right away, but im hesitant to buy gear if I really don't need it or can't even use it for that matter. I am eyeing up some stuff on Austin Hombrew Supply. Maybe purchasing one of the kits that has everything I need.

But, my worry is that I can't do it in my kitchen. I see almost everyone using propane burners in the videos I watch, the book im reading, and in general. I would like to get a propane burner, but I am just weary of using gas and think I could blow myself up.

I guess my question is: Can I use my stove?

Thanks,

Adam

 

[Locorcr]

Adam,
First welcome from another Texan (dallas area) newbie. As me being new also not the best to answer your question but I will anyway yes you can use your stove, I did for my first batch which has been inprimary for a month getting ready to move it to secondary to free up primary for second batch.

 

[DragonTail]

Welcome
I started of on an electric stove, and now have a gas stove that has a huge main burner.
When I started I was doing the concentrated (3.5 gal) boils, and after the gas stove, I now do full boils, and have not had any problems, at least on the boiling side anyhow.

 

[adamhimself]

Thanks guys. I did some shopping around and found out Midwest Supply seems to have the best bang for the buck. I went with one of their complete kits. I want to get my hands dirty and learn the game. I intend on sticking with this for quite some time, so my plan is to be able (one day) to keg my own creations.

My biggest worry is ruining my 1st batch. I am going with the electric stove my first time around, but if all goes well and I feel comfortable enough I might buy a gas stove like a turkey boiler or something.


My first beer is to be an Amber Ale. I intend on documenting it heavily and post it here on the forums for critiquing.

 

[SnakeOilPeddler]

take a tip from Papa Charles Papazian himself. relax, making good beer is easy. There should have been a footnote that says making awful beer is equally easy but steer clear of shabby sounding recipes (use your gut instinct) and you'll be fine. man, you probably will be a homebrew junkie though since i said all that same stuff when i started 2 years ago and now i get seperation anxiety when i don't have a fermenting batch of beer in my closet. I can't sleep without that gurggling airlock sound... blooooop bloop bloop, its beuatiful. These days my brews are known welll enough to actually fetch a decent "donation" for the extras i can't drink. usually my batches are funded by "donations" from the previous batch.... i believe this is also how you start selling crack

oh also, it doesnt take nearly as long once you learn the process and can keep one step ahead of the brew. homebrewing should be taught in high schools for orginization and multi tasking skills really.

 

[IncredibleMulk]

Welcome! I'm originally from Hobbs, NM and spent a few good years in Lubbock. This is an amazing hobby/addiction!

 

[CarsonCE]

I started on an electric stove as well and did just fine. It can take a while to get the water up to boiling, but patience is a virtue. One thing to be careful of with an electric burner is be sure to stir while adding any liquid malt extract. It tends to burn at the bottom where the hot burner is (the burner stays hot even after turning off the stove).

I have a propane burner now (don't worry, they're easy to use). I just use it to bring my water up to the correct temperature (steeping specialty grains) and then to boil it. After it's boiling and I've added the extract, I move it inside and do my 60 minute boil on the stove. My jet burner is too hard to control the temperature without it burning out. It's also more convenient to brew inside.

 

[Arkador]

Welcome to my fellow Texan!

 

[chelero]

welcome from another texan(dallas area as well). I also use my stove to do full 6 gallon boils! I have a big 7 gal pot that kind of fits over 2 burners, and I need to boil a couple of the gallons of water separately in order to get the whole thing up to boiling, but it eventually does, and it's all good!

 

[adamhimself]

Thanks guys. I really appreciate all the love.

I think I'm going to be spending quite a bit of time here, so I will probably end up donating and becoming a supporter sometime tonight.

Any of you guys in Dallas know of a good brew shop in the area? I travel from Lubbock and Houston quite often and go through Ft.Worth and the Dallas area. It would be nice if I could just stop along the way to pick up some much needed supplies, because I know once I get into it more I am going to want to move on from extracts.

So, now its all about the waiting game till my gear gets here!

 

[Donner]

As a former Lubbock resident, seek out the Ale-ians and get to know the members. They will help you out if you are learning to brew and are a good club to be around.

 

[adamhimself]

As a former Lubbock resident, seek out the Ale-ians and get to know the members. They will help you out if you are learning to brew and are a good club to be around.

Thanks. I checked Lubbock Homebrew Supply on Google the other day and they pop up as the #1 search result. Everyone within my "circle of friends" doesn't homebrew and seems to view brewing as some kind of sorcery. I registered on the forums @ Ale-ian society. I'll give 'em a shot. It's always nice to meet like minded people.

Oxford, MS? Nice. I was born in Gulfport. Not too many breweries in that area. I guess Abita is close there in New Orleans

 

[Locorcr]

Any of you guys in Dallas know of a good brew shop in the area? I travel from Lubbock and Houston quite often and go through Ft.Worth and the Dallas area. It would be nice if I could just stop along the way to pick up some much needed supplies, because I know once I get into it more I am going to want to move on from extracts.

I have used homebrew Headquarters, where I got my set up and first batch they seem knowledagble but I'm new so almost anyone can sound knowledgable to me...

 

[Brew-Happy]

Howdy from Lubbock.

Austin Homebrew has been top notch on the supplies I have received from them. Get on their email list as well as any other suppliers to keep an eye out on sales and specials.

I do my batches on electric stoves and they come out fine. I am still getting the details down, so it can only get better (or infected ) from here on out.

 

[IncredibleMulk]

I second Homebrew Headquarters here in the Metroplex, I go often and have never been disappointed. I do, also, order from Austin Homebrew as well and have been very happy, I just find it very nice to actually walk into a place and ask a LOT of questions.

 

[chelero]

+3 for http://homebrewhq.com/. they're great guys, and helped me get started as well. very helpful people!

 

[JalaPeno]

Welcome to the hobby/addiction/obsession.

Hope to see you at an Ale-ian meeting or get together.