Second batch - I messed up but learned

[ozzyatfrbrich]

My second batch, started off as an OSH. A lot of things went wrong on this batch, most because I attempted to cut time and do too much at once.

When steeping the specialty grains I had them stabilized at 151°F for 12 minutes. Left them unattended while outside setting up the burner, gas tank and brew pot. Started the burner and added 5 gallons of water. Went back to the specialty grains, I was gone for 7 minutes, just 7 minutes, and the temp was at almost 200°F. Removed from heat, discarded grain sack and added some cold water. The temp was about 120°F so I added the Lyle’s syrup, Dememera sugar and stirred until dissolved. Added this mixture to the brew pot and topped off to 6½ gallons and was boiling in no time (less than 20 minutes to get to a boil). Added the DME, hops and started the timer for a 60 minute boil. Had my first boil over in about 4 – 5 minutes, it happed faster that I imagined it could but got in under control quickly. I am guessing that I lost less than 8oz of wort being it was all foam and very little went over. Struggled with regulating the gas flow and temps to prevent another boil over (had several close calls). Finally got a good simmering boil but over about 30 minutes I was losing temperature and my gas tank / regulator were frosting / freezing up. At some point I had a flame out and didn’t know it. There was a slight breeze (no gas smells) and the hissing of the gas sounded the same as if it were burning. I guess I lost about 35 – 40 minutes of burning / boiling as I continued to add hops. Once I found out what was wrong I re-lit the burner and brought the wort to a hard boil for about 10 minutes (the thought was to kill anything bad but not to boil too much with all the hops added). I used a SS immersion cooler connected to a submersible pump in a cooler with 35 lbs ice and water. I was able to cool 6 gallons of boiling wort to 86°F in 9 minutes. The OG was 1.040 instead of 1.060’ish so since the whole thing was a big flop I dry pitched Windsor rather than WLP-005, will save for another batch. The FG is 1.010 and it looks very cloudy / hazy. I am going to rack to a carboy for a couple weeks to see if it will clear up some. I tasted it and believe it will be drinkable even though I am disappointed with all my mistakes. I am planning a PM rye ale for my next batch.

 

[SporkD2]

We have all been there?

Or maybe not everyone, but I have. You would have died laughing if you would have seen my miss my OG by 25 points for my first AG brew LOL

 

[TheFlatline]

My second batch, started off as an OSH. A lot of things went wrong on this batch, most because I attempted to cut time and do too much at once.

When steeping the specialty grains I had them stabilized at 151°F for 12 minutes. Left them unattended while outside setting up the burner, gas tank and brew pot. Started the burner and added 5 gallons of water. Went back to the specialty grains, I was gone for 7 minutes, just 7 minutes, and the temp was at almost 200°F. Removed from heat, discarded grain sack and added some cold water. The temp was about 120°F so I added the Lyle’s syrup, Dememera sugar and stirred until dissolved. Added this mixture to the brew pot and topped off to 6½ gallons and was boiling in no time (less than 20 minutes to get to a boil). Added the DME, hops and started the timer for a 60 minute boil. Had my first boil over in about 4 – 5 minutes, it happed faster that I imagined it could but got in under control quickly. I am guessing that I lost less than 8oz of wort being it was all foam and very little went over. Struggled with regulating the gas flow and temps to prevent another boil over (had several close calls). Finally got a good simmering boil but over about 30 minutes I was losing temperature and my gas tank / regulator were frosting / freezing up. At some point I had a flame out and didn’t know it. There was a slight breeze (no gas smells) and the hissing of the gas sounded the same as if it were burning. I guess I lost about 35 – 40 minutes of burning / boiling as I continued to add hops. Once I found out what was wrong I re-lit the burner and brought the wort to a hard boil for about 10 minutes (the thought was to kill anything bad but not to boil too much with all the hops added). I used a SS immersion cooler connected to a submersible pump in a cooler with 35 lbs ice and water. I was able to cool 6 gallons of boiling wort to 86°F in 9 minutes. The OG was 1.040 instead of 1.060’ish so since the whole thing was a big flop I dry pitched Windsor rather than WLP-005, will save for another batch. The FG is 1.010 and it looks very cloudy / hazy. I am going to rack to a carboy for a couple weeks to see if it will clear up some. I tasted it and believe it will be drinkable even though I am disappointed with all my mistakes. I am planning a PM rye ale for my next batch.

Propane tank freezing is a significant problem. I'm curious as to what PSI you were running your propane tank at. At around 8psi, if you're running for extended periods, you get frozen tank around 2/3 empty. Make sure you top off your propane tank before doing a big boil.

The more I hear about these bayou burners, the less I'm impressed. It sounds like they go through propane at absurd rates, far more than would be needed. Sure you get some major heat, but I can do that with a 35 dollar set of plumbing bits and a MIG welder tip.

 

[ozzyatfrbrich]

I have a 20 psi regulator but it not running wide open and the tank is 2/3 to 3/4 empty. It was in the mid 80's and even with the tank in full sun light it was frosting / freezing.

 

[TheFlatline]

I have a 20 psi regulator but it not running wide open and the tank is 2/3 to 3/4 empty. It was in the mid 80's and even with the tank in full sun light it was frosting / freezing.

To be frank, I had a propane tank in direct sun on a day where it was 109 in the shade, and it still froze over solid.

If you're running at 10 PSI let's say, you'll freeze solid no problem. At 20 PSI you'll start seeing pressure drop at half a tank I'd imagine from temperature decrease. When I'm running a forge, I tend to get about an inch of frost on the bottom of my tank. It's not a question of how hot your environment is, but it's a question of propane flashing from liquid to gas, and therefore being endothermic (it sucks up heat and cools off). As the amount of space in your propane tank increases due to dropping fuel levels, the propane has to flash to a gas faster and faster to keep the pressure up. This requires more and more heat, and eventually you freeze over.

Make sure to fill your tank up. If you have the gumption to either make one yourself or spend a little bit of cash, running 2 tanks into your regulator will make a world of difference. If you're not good with copper brazing (and you feel very nervous about propane), you can buy a 2 tank manifold for about 20 bucks online.

http://zoellerforge.com/flare.html about halfway down has one for example, which I've gotten good results with.

Your best bet is to fill up your tank though before brew day. Now ya know.