What tool/device/gadget do you wish you could find for brewing?

[worxman02]

A few years ago, I would have wagered that we'd have seen plastic kegs introduced to the homebrew market with Corny fittings. Still might happen, but there have been some major issues with plastic kegs in commercial operations (kegs that have failed under pressure and killed at least one brewery worker). There's still enough old SS ones floating around where we're probably a few years away from anything coming to market, though.

Yea I've seen some plastic sanke style kegs in some bars. I want SS corny kegs for $30 new. I know I'm dreaming though.

How about a hydrometer that only needs a small sample to work, gives a digital readout so you don't have to worry about bubbles, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I think that would be a great invention as you could use it like a refractometer to measure gravity throughout your mash and then take small samples during ferment.

 

[edds5p0]

Yea I've seen some plastic sanke style kegs in some bars. I want SS corny kegs for $30 new. I know I'm dreaming though.

How about a hydrometer that only needs a small sample to work, gives a digital readout so you don't have to worry about bubbles, and doesn't cost an arm and a leg? I think that would be a great invention as you could use it like a refractometer to measure gravity throughout your mash and then take small samples during ferment.

I have used a hand held densitometer as you describe, and they are very handy. I have no idea how expensive it was, but we used it at the ethanol plant I worked at and it was pretty accurate.

 

[45_70sharps]

I just want a hot little brew blonde.
she can weight hop additions, track time for said additions, check temperatures and generally keep me entertained.

Must be cheap. Cheap blonde brew buddy.

 

[annasdadhockey]

I just want a hot little brew blonde.
she can weight hop additions, track time for said additions, check temperatures and generally keep me entertained.

Must be cheap. Cheap blonde brew buddy with great ****s

Fixed it for ya.

 

[nutty_gnome]

Yeah... a few more ****s around the fermentor would be nice. I would like someone to invent the Stainless or copper autosiphon that works with boiling wort for all the no chillers out there. I now have a chiller, but the option to transfer (safely) via metal autosiphon is alluring and I think there is a market for a durable autosiphon. Good luck though, others have tried and failed.... (you know who you are.....)

 

[Erroneous]

I'd like a hard plastic hydrometer. The digital hydrometer would be amazing, the only one I've heard of under 200 is the enigmatic brew bug.

I'd also like a cooling system where you insert copper tubing into the fermentor, pump water through a chiller, and insulate your fermentor. I'd be even better if you could have it be modular so you could add more to the system as needed. Probably a better diy project.

 

[gondzur]

Yeah... a few more ****s around the fermentor would be nice..

Wouldn't a "few" more be odd? I would think an even number would be preferred.

 

[nutty_gnome]

Wouldn't a "few" more be odd? I would think an even number would be preferred.

I guess I'm not picky.....:cross:

 

[daddyo1109]

So my wife says Necessity is the Mother of Invention.. Been looking for a way to invert a carboy for drying, and got a great suggestion on this thread. Then when I was cleaning up our laundry room I found a large nylon net bag with draw string. It was just the right size for my carboy which is now hanging from a hook over a plastic utility sink in the basement, dripping dry.

Hosen Hausen Brewery LLC
Now Available in bottles:
Chocolate Santa Porter
Juniors Maypole Porter

 

[LegitBrew]

What tool/device/gadget do you wish you could find for brewing?

Time machine. That way immediately after brewing a beer I can go forward in time, steal the finished beer from future me, bring it back and drink it instantly. How bout it science??? I mean really....what other practical applications would a time machine have?

 

[worxman02]

A cheap version of this digital hydrometer for beer would be awesome ( http://www.alber.com/ProdPageDMA.htm ). This one is designed for battery electrolyte. It would just be great to be able to measure your SG at all points in the brewing process at all temps without worrying about temp adjustment and breaking a glass hydrometer. The beer bug does look pretty awesome though.

I like to invent new things too but I keep my brewing pretty simple with BIAB, so I don't have too many suggestions on new inventions. My biggest concerns during the brewing process is hitting my temps and SG, sanitation, oxygenation, and fermentation temp control.

 

[ScubaSteve]

An affordable plate & frame chiller.

 

[Monster Mash]

Did anyone else get a PM from the OP? If you did what did you think?

 

[dcbc]

a collapsible or folding 2-3 tier brew stand. made out of something light enough to carry or transport around but sturdy enough to hold a full keggle.

This doesn't meet the light requirement, but this is my old stand.

 

[dcbc]

Okay, here's mine. I want a digital pressure gauge (or two) for my CO2 tank. Initially, I always get a bit of rise and have to babysit it for a couple of days or so on a new keg. Would be nice to set a digital gauge and have it control blow off to maintain precise pressure. Oh, and it has to cost under $50.

 

[ArcticBear]

This doesn't meet the light requirement, but this is my old stand.

thats really cool. nice work

 

[dcbc]

thats really cool. nice work

Thanks. I sold it to a buddy of mine when I built my single tier in January this year. It is a great stand, particularly for the 22"x22" space it took to store it.

 

[kegerators]

Carboy Cap I can hook a hose to quickly for cleaning

 

[bottlebomber]

You make a good point abut about quickly shutting the valve off. But unscrewing four nuts and bolts with lock washers is not quick. Also all the parts of the valve have to be cleaned. The washers are not heat resistant.

You just need a 5-start thread. Depending on the pitch you could easily get .5-.75 of travel with one revolution.

 

[Grossy]

You just need a 5-start thread. Depending on the pitch you could easily get .5-.75 of travel with one revolution.

I'm in the middle of redoing my entire brewery, right now. But after that is complete, I am going to pursue it with a friend of mine. He is a semi-retired machinist. (The guy literally built custom parts for the observatories down here in Tucson.)

I thing that by taking the end cap off, and run a cleaning brush through the valve, would speed up the cleaning process. One more proverbial paper cut eliminated.