an organism that ferments
3
votes
1answer
136 views
How little light can spoil a beer?
I build a fermentation chamber that has a small computer fan that is equipped with tiny blue led lights. Is it only UV light that can skunk a beer? What would the effect of this frequently run fan ...
5
votes
2answers
152 views
Pros and cons of a conical fermentor
What are the pros and cons of a conical fermentor compared to buckets or carboys?
4
votes
1answer
94 views
airlock ran dry, should I be concerned?
I'm very new to this all, and just bought a noob-starter-kit. I'm using a can for my first brew (to learn the basics)
So I just started the brew (Coopers Real Ale) a few days ago. I'm keeping 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 ...
1
vote
1answer
53 views
What is the pressure limit for PVC tubing on barb?
I'm building a spunding valve and can't locate an adapter from female flare to male pipe thread. Until I can, I'm planning on using reinforced PVC tubing to connect the valve/gauge assembly to the gas ...
2
votes
4answers
307 views
Glass Milk bottles?
Just about to start up my next batch and noticed I hac a couple glass milk bottles from Whole Foods lying around. In what ways could they be put to-use in homebrewing? Fermenting a test? Mead? Cider? ...
0
votes
3answers
247 views
Can I safely remove mold from plastic bottle type fermenter without bad consequences?
I have this 25l plastic fermenter which is the type not shaped like a big open bucket but with a hole at the top with a screw on lid. I left it full of water not thinking anything bad could happen to ...
2
votes
1answer
750 views
Corny keg fermentors
I had been thinking about using a couple corny kegs as fermentors. Maybe even trimming up some dip tubes to be able to CO2 push finished beer out of the kegs to clean serving kegs.
Here are some of ...
4
votes
3answers
479 views
Plastic or Glass
Plastic or Glass fermentors? (Lets keep stainless steel out of this debate for now)
Each has ups and downs.
What are the main differences for the following aspects:
Shapes and configurations
Heat ...
2
votes
4answers
2k views
Is a normal plastic fermenting bucket with a plain lid (no kind of tap) OK to ferment in without the beer becoming contaminated?
It is my understanding that if one is fermenting (primary) with a bucket with a plain lid on it that it is necessary to leave a small gap (i.e. to leave the lid open a bit)
Is this an adequate ...
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. ...
10
votes
4answers
444 views
Process for transfereing from boil kettle to fermenter
At the moment the most frustrating part of my brewday is getting the cold wort into the fermenter. Here is my process. I have a 20 litre saucepan that i use as a kettle that does not have a tap. At ...
5
votes
3answers
728 views
Why would I want a conical fermenter?
I've seen conical fermenters in catalogs and on the web, but I've never heard why they are better than fermenting in a glass carboy.
Why would I want to use a conical instead of a carboy?
9
votes
2answers
467 views
Is it safe to open the lid of a fermentation container to stir the yeast and sugar?
Last night I put a batch of wine going (very simple setup - a plastic bucket with a sealed lid and a cork in the top for a plastic airlock). This morning, I can tell the sugar has settled to the ...
3
votes
1answer
590 views
Options for heating a stainless conical fermenter
I have two 15g stainless conicals in a fridge and I am building an advanced controller to heat and cool the whole mess. Some details on my blog for those who are curious.
Currently I use a Fermwrap ...
12
votes
4answers
826 views
How to add adjuncts (hops, fruit, spices, etc) to the fermenter without contaminating the beer?
What is the best way to sterilize things like dry hops, spices or fruit before putting them in the fermenter?
Some stuff you can obviously boil. But boiling hops, say, would defeat the purpose of ...
3
votes
6answers
3k views
Converting your fermentation bucket into a mash tun
Most people use coolers for mash tuns, but living in an apartment myself I can tell that having the least possible equipment is a priority. I know some people use their secondary fermenters as mash ...
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
3answers
259 views
moving a better bottle carboy
So, just out of curiosity... if I wanted / needed to relocate my primary fermentation carboy to another area of the house, what would be the safest way to do this, without risk of infection?
I know ...
7
votes
4answers
2k views
Using Plastic Water Jugs as Fermenters
I asked this on Twitter a while back, but I thought I might get some other thoughts on it. I have one of those 5g Poland Spring water jugs. If I get a bung that fits it, is there any reason I couldn't ...
3
votes
3answers
3k views
Low Cost Conical Fermenter
I was looking around for some low-cost alternatives to conical fermenters, and I came across inductor tanks. Has anyone used or heard of someone using these tanks? Is there any danger/downside to ...
5
votes
1answer
537 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
1answer
625 views
Cleaner wort out of the Kettle
What are the benefits of completely seperating hot debris, hot break and cold break from the wort?
Getting these things out of the wort and putting nothing but clean and clear wort in the fermentor ...
5
votes
2answers
537 views
Using nuts for beer aroma
I'm planning to brew an scottish heavy ale, and I wanted to give it a little different aroma using hazelnuts (other stuff too, but I want hazelnuts to be the main aroma). How do you suggest i use ...
6
votes
4answers
1k views
preparing fruit for secondary
What is the best method for preparing different fruits for fruit additions into secondary fermentors?
There are issues of sanitation and good fruit to wort contact, via chopping, slicing, mincing or ...
5
votes
2answers
408 views
Keeping a barrel
Our club acquired a 65 gallon American oak wine barrel that we want to age beer in. With the holidays upon us it will be a few more weeks before we can organize a club brew and the barrel is standing ...
