Just finished 3 gallons of a newcastle all grain clone in the fermenter. Just have a few questions about some things that came up unexpectedly. The strike water I got to about 180 ish and once all the grains were in the cooler converted mash tun, got to 155, liitle lower than I wanted but still ok. After a long awaited hour, I sparged with a gallon of 165 temp water by lightly pouring in the gallon. Than with a container, let it run off and back into the mash for about half hour until it looked pretty clear. (maybe big sparge error there).
Brought the kettle to a boil and added the hops. I had no idea it would get the wort filled w little green thingys. I ended up with less than 3 gallons after the boil too. Should I have used a grain bag? And of course next time, more water.
I made a wort cooler with 25 feet 1/4 inch copper tubing to an adapter for the faucet. Got to 70 in about 5 mins! That worked really well!
Knowing that I needed to end up w 3 gallons, I boiled water than in a panic to add the yeast I forgot to measure the water. Once the water got to 70ish, I threw the yeast in the water, began to fill the carboy to 3 gallons and realized I had about a gallon too much so I had to toss 1/2 the yeast.
I was afraid i had too little yeast but after a few hours I had the airlock at a steady pace and all kinds of things moving around in the carboy. After 2 days the airlock is down to a bubble every few minutes. Hope thats ok.
I havnt taken a gravity reading yet, mainly because I forgot. Should I take one now that things have settled and once it stays the same for a few days its done ready for priming?
I also want to thank all the moderators,posters and owners of this site for the knowledge and support. Cheers!
Brought the kettle to a boil and added the hops. I had no idea it would get the wort filled w little green thingys. I ended up with less than 3 gallons after the boil too. Should I have used a grain bag? And of course next time, more water.
I made a wort cooler with 25 feet 1/4 inch copper tubing to an adapter for the faucet. Got to 70 in about 5 mins! That worked really well!
Knowing that I needed to end up w 3 gallons, I boiled water than in a panic to add the yeast I forgot to measure the water. Once the water got to 70ish, I threw the yeast in the water, began to fill the carboy to 3 gallons and realized I had about a gallon too much so I had to toss 1/2 the yeast.
I was afraid i had too little yeast but after a few hours I had the airlock at a steady pace and all kinds of things moving around in the carboy. After 2 days the airlock is down to a bubble every few minutes. Hope thats ok.
I havnt taken a gravity reading yet, mainly because I forgot. Should I take one now that things have settled and once it stays the same for a few days its done ready for priming?
I also want to thank all the moderators,posters and owners of this site for the knowledge and support. Cheers!