The various hardware items for producing beer or wine. Includes buckets, carboys, kegs, hoses, airlocks, etc.
6
votes
1answer
672 views
What do I need to refurbish a corny keg?
What do I need to prepare a used corny keg (picked up at a flea market say) for brewing?
Should I replace the seals?
Do I need a special tool to remove the posts?
What products and techniques ...
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 ...
6
votes
1answer
2k views
What's the ideal size for a mash tun?
This question has been bothering me for a while and I looked it up using google. The only related search result was this thread http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/how-big-your-mash-tun-needs-123585/ ...
6
votes
1answer
213 views
Small Space & Apartment Brewing: Diacetyl Rest
When brewing a lager in an apartment, you will most probably use a small refrigerator for the lagering process. If the refrigerator does not allow you to choose the exact temperature, but instead you ...
6
votes
3answers
605 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?
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 ...
5
votes
6answers
694 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?
5
votes
9answers
742 views
Spigots: What's the consensus
I like to use an ale pail with a spigot for my secondary. It makes it super easy to test the gravity before actually bottling/kegging/etc.
However, that sort of installation in plastic can open the ...
5
votes
5answers
2k views
Airlock Alternatives
Imagine that brew-day rolls around and you find yourself without an airlock for your carboy or bucket.
What other things can you use in it's stead?
Further imagine that you do not have the ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Can a twist-off bottle be capped?
Out of curiosity (and appreciation for Boulevard's bottle's form-factor), can a twist-off bottle be reliably capped?
5
votes
6answers
570 views
5
votes
2answers
2k views
Benefits and drawbacks to different tubing types?
We're making some big upgrades to our homebrew system and one of them involves moving everything to 1/2" fittings and barbs. This means we need 1/2" tubing that will easily and reliably fit on the ...
5
votes
4answers
630 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
3answers
389 views
Best Crown Capper
Just capped my first batch of beer (Wohoo!).
When I invested in my equipment though, I think I was a bit too frugal with my capping tool - I have a hammer on crown capper. It seems to have done the ...
5
votes
3answers
1k views
Immersion chiller or counter-flow chiller?
Based on your actual experience with each, what are the pros and cons of the two most common types of wort chillers - immersion and counter-flow? Which do you prefer?
5
votes
3answers
752 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?
5
votes
2answers
114 views
Necessary to clean bottle tree?
So I recently purchased a bottle tree (not sure how I went so long without one) for drying/storing my sanitized bottles. Is it is overkill to sanitize the bottle tree in sanitizing solution as well?
...
5
votes
5answers
2k views
Brew In A Bag one-gallon batch?
I'd like to try homebrewing, and I've read a great deal about the process, but I will have more time than money (I'm about to graduate from college).
It seems like most people buy a lot of equipment ...
5
votes
2answers
364 views
How to measure wort oxygenation
As a follow-up to a couple of other questions:
How to Properly Oxygenate Wort
Wort aeration on a budget
How do you measure oxygenation of wort? What methods are available for a beginner brewer ...
5
votes
2answers
161 views
I boiled my PVC thermometer probe - health concerns?
I have a digital thermometer with a probe. The probe is stainless steel but the cable and probe housing are apparently made of PVC. In my last brew I just submerged the whole probe in the boiler ...
5
votes
3answers
224 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 ...
5
votes
2answers
807 views
Should I & how do I use a mash tun brew kettle with a false bottom?
I'd like to make the move to all-grain, but it's fairly equipment-intensive. I see combination mash tuns and brew kettles. Are these a solution? Can I use the kettle for mashing, then transfer to ...
5
votes
3answers
524 views
pH Meters and measuring mash pH for the first time
So I've been doing all grain for quite some time now, but I've always "winged it" in regards to my water chemistry. I've been using a mix of Reverse Osmosis and Spring water, which gives good results ...
5
votes
2answers
272 views
bottle filling without a rapid bottler
I'm about to bottle my first coopers home brew and i dont have a rapid bottler. Can I pour it straight from the tap or will I have problems?
5
votes
2answers
159 views
Dispensing beers at two different pressures?
I'm working on getting a dual-tap kegerator. Is it worth it to pay the extra to dispense two beers at two different pressures? I can see dispensing a low-carbonation ESB and a high-carbonation ...
5
votes
3answers
638 views
[Wiki] What extra equipment do I need to make wine?
Considering I have all the necessary - and some unnecessary - equipment for making beer at home, what additional equipment do I need to make wine at home?
If it's easier to just make a full list, ...
5
votes
3answers
3k views
How do you clean and fill a keg manually?
What equipment is required to clean and fill a commercial keg (not one adapted for homebrewing), before paying for a full blown keg washer and filler? Is this even possible?
5
votes
3answers
938 views
Conical fermenter: worth it?
I am considering purchasing a conical fermenter but I'm not sure if it would be worth the cost. I feel like it would allow me to make better beer with less effort, but it would be nice to hear from ...
5
votes
1answer
538 views
Fermenter Heating Belt
Is it worth using? I was thinking of getting one to use on my first fermenter for a german weissbier so that the yeast flavour and aroma is more present in the final result. By how many degrees does ...
5
votes
3answers
817 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?
5
votes
3answers
2k views
Electric Kettle with thermostat
What's your opinion on them? Have you ever used one? I was thinking of buying one (specially designed for brewing, even has a tap on). How is it different from the more traditional methods? Is it ...
5
votes
2answers
589 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
2answers
1k views
Brass vs. Stainless Steel for fittings
I see both brass and stainless fittings for sale. Which is appropriate to use when?
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?
4
votes
4answers
1k views
4
votes
4answers
458 views
First Time Brewing…am I doing it right?
So I went to my local brewing store, and got a starter kit. It came with a 7 gallon fermenter, a siphon tube, a floating thermometer, bottle caper, bottle caps, bottle scrubber, and sanitizer.
By the ...
4
votes
3answers
267 views
Why add a tee next to the pump?
I've seen it recommended in several places to add a tee in the pipe next to the pump used for transferring hot wort. What is the point of this / what benefits do you get? Does the tee go on the input ...
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 ...
4
votes
2answers
144 views
Benefit to smaller bottles?
Im about to bottle my first 5 gal batch that i have made in a while, and am considering buying some 22oz bottles to try to reduce the amount of time i spend cleaning bottles, but am wondering if the ...
4
votes
2answers
152 views
Can I use nylon stockings as a hop-bag in wort?
I was thinking of using some nylon stockings as a hop-bag for dry hopping in my fermentor. Are they safe to use or will they be degraded by the wort?
4
votes
2answers
629 views
Good food-grade electric pump for transferring wort?
I need a pump to use for transferring wort from a 55 gallon drum. Do you have any recommendations?
4
votes
2answers
660 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 ...
4
votes
2answers
535 views
Can I use my Country Living Grain Mill for homebrewing?
I already own a Country Living Grain Mill for making flour and want to start crushing my own grain for my homebrew. Will this style of mill work for homebrew or should I buy a mill specially for ...
4
votes
3answers
1k views
Mash tun: slotted false bottom?
Would a slotted false bottom prevent uniform compaction better than a perforated false bottom?
See this model:
http://www.homebrewing.org/12-Stainless-Steel-Domed-False-Bottom_p_1058.html
I'm ...
4
votes
4answers
326 views
Bottle Sizes Smaller than 12 Ounces?
Has anyone ever seen 8oz bottles anywhere? I was asked if I could bottle a batch of homebrew in smaller bottles so it could be given out as gifts to more people. I can't seem to find anything ...
4
votes
3answers
535 views
How to calculate the minimum vessel sizes for all grain brewing
Background:
Brewing in an kitchenette with limited storage space
All Grain brewing, extracts are not available around here
I'm looking at BIAB also, but want to have the traditional 3 vessels setup
...
4
votes
3answers
322 views
What is a stir plate?
What is the function of a stir plate when making a yeast starter?
Does it drastically improve the starter process?
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, ...
4
votes
2answers
434 views
Propane v. Natural Gas
I just moved to a home where there is natural gas being piped into the garage for a garage heater. I was thinking of re-tooling my burners with jet/orifices that can handle the lower pressure of the ...
4
votes
1answer
408 views
Is the price of copper making plate chillers the better choice?
This copper-in-plastic counter-flow chiller seems to mitigate the effect that the high price of copper has on all-copper counter-flow chillers. I'm not sure the Chillzilla even has to have an ...
