The various hardware items for producing beer or wine. Includes buckets, carboys, kegs, hoses, airlocks, etc.
8
votes
5answers
738 views
What is the minimum amount of equipment to dabble in All-Grain?
What is the minimum amount of equipment I need to have to brew very simple all-grain recipes? Bonus points for cheap & easy-to-find equipment. I'd like to go all-grain eventually, but for the time ...
0
votes
1answer
390 views
Basic equipment needed for all grain brewing [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
What is the minimum amount of equipment to dabble in All-Grain?
I'm considering working on my first all-grain brew batch. What are the bare essentials of equipment to do ...
6
votes
1answer
156 views
How to get started brewing sake
I have a packet of koji spores and these instructions: http://www.tibbs-vision.com/sake/instrct.html
The instructions call for a 2.6 gal fermenting vessel. Since I have a 7.9 gal bucket, I am ...
7
votes
9answers
466 views
What's a good first equipment buy after a basic starter kit?
I bought the First-Time Brewer's Starter Kit from Midwest Supply and enjoyed the process quite a bit. While the kit has the essentials for extract brewing, I know there are lots of things I can get to ...
6
votes
5answers
329 views
The right first kit?
I've seen a lot of kits and adds online to brew your own beer, but they don't seem all that easy or great.
And any suggestions on what kit(s) to start with?
How much should I plan to spend to get ...
14
votes
4answers
507 views
First Time Homebrewer Setup
There was a request for difficult questions, but having never brewed, this is all I've got:
Can you describe the most basic setup (preferably one with a reasonably low difficulty and high success ...
6
votes
3answers
603 views
Why use a synthetic bag for BIAB?
Everywhere I see conversations about BIAB, people are always referring to nylon or polyester bags. Why can't one use, let's say, a cotton bag, since it will be so thin it won't hold any water?
8
votes
3answers
2k views
What is a whirlpool chiller?
What is a Whirlpool Chiller and how does it work? What are the advantages or disadvantages?
3
votes
3answers
149 views
Should I upgrade my thermometer or just re-calibrate it?
I'm asking this because I recently made the switch to all grain brewing, and I'd like to make sure I'm as accurate as possible for mash temps.
I have a plain dial thermometer that I used for some ...
3
votes
2answers
80 views
What are the best online hombrew retailers in Australia?
I've been looking for good homebrew ingredient and equipment retailers in Australia and would like some recommendations. If you have recommendations for online retailers that have the follow qualities ...
2
votes
1answer
295 views
How to ferment 15-gallon batches
It's probably a simple solution, but I'm planning on making the jump to AG very shortly and, having only done 5-gallon batches in the past, am wondering what is the easiest way to ferment a full ...
4
votes
1answer
105 views
Home method to measure sugar profile
Is there any sort of (financially attainable) test kit available to measure the sugar profile in wort and beer? In particular, I'd like to know the breakdown of glucose, fructose, sucrose, maltose, ...
3
votes
2answers
133 views
What exactly should I measure while brewing?
I want the answers to be geared towards meads/wines if possible.
There seems to be so many things to measure. Which are the ones that really matter? I've started spending a lot of time taking all ...
2
votes
3answers
777 views
Can a Johnson A419 control both a heater and cooler, or is a single-mode?
I just recieved a Johnson A419 digital temperature controller, but I think I was mistaken in my expectations. I was under the impression I could plug both a heater and cooler into the controller; ...
4
votes
2answers
656 views
HERMS or RIMS - How to choose?
I'm confused. What are the major pros/cons between HERMS and RIMS brewing systems? I've read about both, but can't seem to come to a conclusion on why one would choose one over the other. Is it the ...
9
votes
7answers
732 views
Are bottle brushes necessary?
I've always bottled my beers (haven't invested in a kegging setup yet), and I've never once used a bottle brush. I simply soak my bottles in OxyClean to clean them, give them a shake, then rinse, ...
8
votes
4answers
658 views
Is it safe to use swing-tops?
I just started brewing my first batch (yay!) and want to set up for bottling while I wait. My question is simple: Can I start using Swing-Tops like Grolsch to bottle my beer?
I've heard varying ...
2
votes
1answer
230 views
Kegging at basement temperature
I am a novice at kegging. I don't have room for a kegerator or chest freezer so I simply keg at basement temperature. My basement is currently 69 F and I've had 5 gallons of tripel on pressure for 3 ...
6
votes
3answers
2k views
Re-use the mini kegs that are used in 'Krups Beer Tender' for home brewing?
For me, these 5 liter kegs seem like the perfect device for storage as well as remaining fresh when making beer.
I understand there is a way to remove the top piece of the mini keg with some type ...
5
votes
3answers
808 views
Cleaning out beer lines
How often do you need to clean out your beer lines when using a home draft system?
What type of cleaner do you use?
Can I leave sanitizer in the tubing when a line isn't in use?
2
votes
2answers
402 views
Checking for CO2 leaks
If you have an at home draft system, how do you check for leaks in the CO2 side of the set up? How often do you need to check for leaks?
9
votes
2answers
2k views
Using a keg for secondary fermentation and natural carbonation?
I would like to transfer a beer that has been fermenting for about 3 weeks directly into a Cornelius keg for secondary fermentation AND carbonation.
I would like to add priming sugar and naturally ...
5
votes
2answers
587 views
Copper versus Stainless for Jockey Box
Not having room or budget for a kegerator at the moment, I am considering building a jockey box for kegging homebrew. There are a lot of plans on the internet for building your own, including ...
5
votes
1answer
111 views
How do I clean a sankey pump?
What is the best way to clean a sankey pump it after I use it so it doesn't get moldy inside?
7
votes
6answers
924 views
Why do my airlocks lose liquid?
This has happened with a few batches now. My three-piece airlocks are drained of the sani inside them repeatedly. Even after a few days, when fermentation doesn't seem as rapid (and therefore the ...
3
votes
2answers
289 views
Did I Break My Airlock?
I don't really know what I did here. I cut off the bottom little cross guy on the stem of the airlock because it was getting clogged up during vigorous fermentations. Now the middle piece just kind of ...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Is it okay to ferment a 5 gallon batch in a 14 gallon conical fermenter?
I am considering getting a either a 7 gallon or a 14 gallon conical fermenter and am wondering if it would be okay to ferment a standard 5 gallon batch in the 14 gallon or if that would be a bad idea. ...
7
votes
8answers
597 views
Secondary size?
When moving a 5 gallon batch into secondary does it make a difference if it is into a 5 gallon carboy or a 6.5?
18
votes
7answers
2k views
Temperature Control for Fermentation
I am curious how everyone controls the temperature of their primary, especially those that live in the warmer climates. In Florida, where the temperatures can soar and remain in the 90's and above ...
4
votes
4answers
1k views
5
votes
4answers
625 views
How to transport homebrew
I'm in the process of brewing several carboys of beer to serve at my wedding in a few months. The catch is that the wedding is on the other side of the country. I'm planning on taking a few days to ...
5
votes
6answers
686 views
Wort aeration on a budget
To aerate my wort I have been using a whisk, but i am worried about contamination. What are other more effective ways to aerate wort without spending too much money?
3
votes
2answers
2k views
What wattage element is needed for hot liquor tank/heat exchanger, and what about brew kettle?
I'm completely captivated by www.theelectricbrewery.com, love their directions, and have ordered the parts, so I'll have my experience soon, but what is your experience with selecting hot water heater ...
5
votes
3answers
744 views
How do you insulate a cooler based mash tun?
I have a Coleman 70 Quart Xtreme cooler that I've modified for my mash tun. I seem to be losing a lot of heat out the top. Are there any good ways to insulate it to help prevent heat loss?
28
votes
6answers
3k views
How likely is contamination in an average batch?
I sanitize everything; carboy, bottles, bottle caps, tubing, funnels, etc; because I was essentially told that my beer would turn to deadly poison without it.
I accept sterilizing the lot once ...
6
votes
3answers
766 views
How do you degas an empty Sanke Keg?
When folks legally acquire Sanke kegs for conversion to kettles, mash tuns or HLTs, the first step is often to relieve the pressure inside the keg before dismantling the spear and valve.
How best is ...
3
votes
2answers
162 views
Rust in a plastic fermenter?
I've got a 6 gallon plastic fermenter - one of those food-grade plastic buckets Midwest gives you in the starter kit. I guess after our last brew, my brother and I carelessly tossed the remains of our ...
5
votes
3answers
222 views
Autosiphon not sealing
While racking beer to kegs today, my autosiphon started leaking air. Bubbles started at the bottom, and went throughout the tube. I assume that this is due to a poor seal between the pump portion ...
9
votes
3answers
462 views
Avoiding excessive soot on brew kettles
Are there any secret tricks to avoiding an exorbitant amount of soot on the brew kettle after the boil?
We have been making all grain batches recently using a 20 gallon stock pot and a propane ...
4
votes
1answer
152 views
What are the exact dimensions/specs of the fittings on a standard stainless steel Hansen Coupler?
I have a standard stainless steel Hansen Coupler for Pin-Lock type Cornelius Kegs. I'm trying to find the exact specs on both the 1/4 MFL and the inside (female) threads, where it connects to the ...
3
votes
2answers
176 views
Is this beerstone or something else? White haze in my kettle.
I recently moved. As part of the move, I changed my brewing process and went back to using my old brew pot (instead of an electric turkey fryer) and started using filtered tap water instead of ...
4
votes
5answers
1k views
Can I heat a starter in an erlenmeyer flask on an electric stove?
My dad found an old Kimax (26500) 1000mL Erlenmeyer flask that has been in his attic for the last 30 or so years and gave it to me. I'd like to start using this to make starters, in conjunction with ...
9
votes
5answers
843 views
Best way to mill grains
I've brewed many extracts but want to get into whole grain brewing. What equipment do I need? Any recommendations for beginner / low-cost grain mills?
10
votes
8answers
4k views
How to brew all-grain indoors
I've been brewing with extracts and specialty grains for two years now, and I want to step up to all-grain brewing. From what I understand, it's important to get a full boil when brewing all-grain and ...
2
votes
3answers
778 views
What equipment do I need to start brewing into 5L kegs?
I have just bought a 5L kegerator system for my office & would like to start bringing my homebrew in.
What do I need to get started? Can I re-use purchased 5L kegs or are there any retailers ...
9
votes
8answers
325 views
Which pieces of brewing equipment seem like a good idea to buy, but are of limited usefulness?
My brewing buddy asked me this the other night. I've accumulated a lot of stuff over just an 18 month brew career. Not all of it useful. I know it's subjective, but I'd be very interested to hear ...
1
vote
1answer
220 views
Recommendations for scaling up operations
Right now I brew once month. This gets me to 60-72 gallons of delicious wine or beer per year. But the limit for home brewers in the US is 200 gallons per year per household. To reach that with 5 ...
2
votes
2answers
2k views
DIY Racking cane / Auto-siphon
I can't seem to find a local supplier that stocks a racking cane or siphon in my area so I'd like to have a go at making my own. I could find an online supplier but most US stores won't ship to AU ...
10
votes
10answers
1k views
Are there tools that can make the bottling process easier?
I found this to be the most difficult part during my first attempt at brewing. All I had was a tube and a racking cane. Is there anything else to simplify the process and prevent me from ending up ...
3
votes
3answers
285 views
Indoor-alternatives to kitchen stove
I am a kitchen-brewer doing 5 gls all-grain batches and am frustrated because the kitchen stove is lacking the last bit of power to yield a nice rolling boil. Are there any indoor-alternatives to the ...
