Newb gettin ready to dig deep

[aeviaanah]

Hows it going everyone? I just purchased my first 1 gallon kit from Brooklyn brew. Its called everyday IPA. Its been in glass fermenter for about 24 hours. Looks like I got me a new hobby!

I am an experienced industrial metal worker and am going to be making my own equipment very soon. I am interested in the conical fermenters. I have most of the stuff needed at work. Just thought id introduce myself and I am on the path to learning everything I can about this. Im sure Ill have a ton of questions once I try my first beer.

If anyone has resources or information theyd like to share please do!

Ive noticed the conical fermenters have two valves, one at the bottom and one just above the bottom. Just taking a wild guess....does one remove beer and the other used to remove the sediment at bottom?

I also notice some of these fermenters are air tight which allows for forced co2. What is the benefit to adding co2 during the fermentation stage?

 

[aeviaanah]

Here is what I got going on now...its "Everyday IPA" from brooklyn brew shop. I know its entry level stuff but I needed something to get me reading and learning about this.

 

[ahaley]

I haven't seen too many air tight fermenters, but from what I understand, the co2 from the fermenting beer pushes out the oxygen that can aerate your beer and make it stale quicker.
My fermenter has the airlock on top ( I use a 6.5 gal bucket ) and a spigot on the bottom

Good luck! Don't be afraid to ask anything, there is a lot of nice people here and also some equally nice but sarcastic people as well lol. I'm still leaning myself so don't quote me please :x

Brew on!

 

[aeviaanah]

Hey Ahaley thanks for the welcome. Gettin ready to replace blow off with airlock. See you around

 

[ahaley]

Hey no problem, I got a good welcome I try to keep it up so noobies like me feel welcome

 

[jarrodaden]

Hows it going everyone? I just purchased my first 1 gallon kit from Brooklyn brew. Its called everyday IPA. Its been in glass fermenter for about 24 hours. Looks like I got me a new hobby!

I am an experienced industrial metal worker and am going to be making my own equipment very soon. I am interested in the conical fermenters. I have most of the stuff needed at work. Just thought id introduce myself and I am on the path to learning everything I can about this. Im sure Ill have a ton of questions once I try my first beer.

If anyone has resources or information theyd like to share please do!

Ive noticed the conical fermenters have two valves, one at the bottom and one just above the bottom. Just taking a wild guess....does one remove beer and the other used to remove the sediment at bottom?

I also notice some of these fermenters are air tight which allows for forced co2. What is the benefit to adding co2 during the fermentation stage?

The valve on the bottom is for removing the "trub". Trub is stuff like spent hops that is of no use. Once the trub is removed from that valve on the bottom the yeast layer will come out. Many people will collect, wash, and reuse that yeast to cut down on their yeast expenses.

The valve above that is for collecting relatively sediment free wort.

 

[aeviaanah]

Hey no problem, I got a good welcome I try to keep it up so noobies like me feel welcome

Right on, I see your from tracy. Im over here in turlock.

The valve on the bottom is for removing the "trub". Trub is stuff like spent hops that is of no use. Once the trub is removed from that valve on the bottom the yeast layer will come out. Many people will collect, wash, and reuse that yeast to cut down on their yeast expenses.

The valve above that is for collecting relatively sediment free wort.

Thats what I thought, how can you tell the difference between trub and yeast layer?

Curious as to which is the better option, keezer or kegerator. What are they doing to keep the freezers from freezing the beer?

 

[aeviaanah]

My IPA is starting to smell like an IPA!

 

[cullen]

I also notice some of these fermenters are air tight which allows for forced co2. What is the benefit to adding co2 during the fermentation stage?

There's no benefit to adding CO2 during fermentation. At the end of the fermentation you can use CO2 pressure to force the beer into the bottling bucket. This can be handy if you want your bucket at the same level (or higher) as your conical. Yes, you could use a pump for this as well, but forcing it with a little CO2 pressure is gentler on the beer.

Of course, if your conical is higher than your bottling bucket you don't need to worry about this - gravity is your friend.

 

[aeviaanah]

There's no benefit to adding CO2 during fermentation. At the end of the fermentation you can use CO2 pressure to force the beer into the bottling bucket. This can be handy if you want your bucket at the same level (or higher) as your conical. Yes, you could use a pump for this as well, but forcing it with a little CO2 pressure is gentler on the beer.

Of course, if your conical is higher than your bottling bucket you don't need to worry about this - gravity is your friend.

Thanks for the reply! Ill stick to gravity for now!

A few questions...

Curious how people that use keezers keep the beer from freezing. Do they use some add-on temperature control?

My IPA is currently fermenting at 72-76 degrees will that be ok?

 

[Elfmaze]

I use a Johnson controls A419 for my keezer controller. Set the chest freezer to the coldest it can go, then plug the freezer into the controller. the controller will turn the freezer on and off by cutting the power. Remember that freezers do not like to be "short cycled", That is turned on and off rapidly <3mins from off to back on. Most controllers have settings to prevent this.

 

[aeviaanah]

I use a Johnson controls A419 for my keezer controller. Set the chest freezer to the coldest it can go, then plug the freezer into the controller. the controller will turn the freezer on and off by cutting the power. Remember that freezers do not like to be "short cycled", That is turned on and off rapidly <3mins from off to back on. Most controllers have settings to prevent this.

Good to hear, ill take a look at that particular controller when I go to buy one. Saved it in my notes...thanks.

Wasnt aware about the freezers not liking to be short cycled. Thanks for the info!