The various hardware items for producing beer or wine. Includes buckets, carboys, kegs, hoses, airlocks, etc.
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?
2
votes
1answer
210 views
How big do the holes need to be in a Zapap style Mash/Lauter Tun?
I'm looking to make one of the mash tuns out of a plastic bucket. I find instructions like "drill a bazillion holes into the bottom with a small drill bit". How small? Is there a size that's too ...
18
votes
7answers
973 views
About going all-grain
I have made 7 or 8 extract brews over the past year and am interested in moving up to all-grain. What equipment is needed, and what steps are added to the process.
5
votes
6answers
581 views
7
votes
2answers
429 views
Gravity Measurement Tools
What tools for measuring specific gravity are available to the homebrewer? EG: refractometer, hydrometer.
What scale do they measure? EG: Brix, plato
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
1answer
547 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 ...
2
votes
1answer
416 views
Which size auto siphon to empty a 5 or 6.5 gallon carboy?
I got an auto siphon as a gift recently. Unfortunately, it only reaches about half-way down into the carboy. All the brew supply sites and the fermtech site, itself, aren't exactly clear about the ...
2
votes
1answer
2k views
5
votes
3answers
2k 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
2answers
827 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 ...
8
votes
3answers
600 views
Bottling vs. Kegging
I have been home brewing for along time now, but have never kegged my beer. I hear a lot of people saying how much easier and better it is, but my main concern is the cost and equipment needed. What ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
Is a 5 gallon bucket too big for 3 gallon recipe?
I have a few Mr Beer extract kits left over from when I started this hobby. Can I ferment a 3 gallon recipe in a 5 gallon bucket? Will there be too much head space?
4
votes
2answers
443 views
Propane tank usage in winter time
Today is 14F here in the northern suburbs of MA. In the winter time it can be tough to brew outside if you are a propane cooker brewer such as myself.
When the tank is going full bore it tends to ...
3
votes
4answers
1k views
Wort Chiller Cool Down Times?
What tools or tricks is everyone using to cool their wort down after the boil? How long does it take you to get down below 70 degrees? I am using an older copper wort chiller (hooks up to a garden ...
5
votes
9answers
749 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 ...
