Disaster Brewday

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AdrianTrace
Piss Artist
Posts: 137
Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:42 am
Location: Botley, Hampshire

Disaster Brewday

Post by AdrianTrace » Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:43 pm

It all went wrong, really - the in-laws have requested a repeat of the No-Name Porter for their 40th wedding anniversary later in the year, so I thought I would get it going:

23Litres

Fermentables:
2.5kg Light DME
1kg 113EBC Caramalt
500g 250EBC Caramalt
500g Chocolate malt
50g Black Malt
Image
Hops:
30g Admiral 12.35%AA 30 mins
40g Bramling Cross 7%AA 10 mins plus 1/3 Whirlfloc
30g Bramling Cross 7%AA 0 mins
Image
Yeast S04

Heated water and put grains in to steep. Then realised I had it set up for pellets (no hop filter, as it just clogs) rather than leaf (metal braid).. oh well, nothing I can do so up to the boil:
Image
Then the electrics trip :? reset the breaker: 5 minutes later they trip again... and again :x

so I chucked in the 10 minute hops with the cooler and gave it one more go: 2 minute and phut. Bunged in the flame out hops, cooled and drained about a litre before it completely blocked. Tipped the whole shebang into the FV, pitched and walked away (after cleaning). It'll be OK :)

What a balls up!
Ready to go: Malt extract, grain, yeast and a freezer full of hops.
Fermenting: Nowt.
Conditioning: Nelson's Revenge.
Drinking: Stop Wining, Firsty Gold, DarkMun, Yankee, Porter, ApAht, Cider, Mead, Tripel, Elderflower beer, Gluten Free, beer, wine, port, gin,beer, wine, port, gin...

AdrianTrace
Piss Artist
Posts: 137
Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:42 am
Location: Botley, Hampshire

Re: Disaster Brewday

Post by AdrianTrace » Thu Jun 16, 2016 9:45 pm

Took apart the old Lidl (Silverline) jam preserver - the element looks a bit shot on the inner connection. I guess permanent running is beyond their design:

Image
Ready to go: Malt extract, grain, yeast and a freezer full of hops.
Fermenting: Nowt.
Conditioning: Nelson's Revenge.
Drinking: Stop Wining, Firsty Gold, DarkMun, Yankee, Porter, ApAht, Cider, Mead, Tripel, Elderflower beer, Gluten Free, beer, wine, port, gin,beer, wine, port, gin...

stokie_spaceman
Steady Drinker
Posts: 38
Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 6:14 pm

Re: Disaster Brewday

Post by stokie_spaceman » Sat Jun 18, 2016 12:36 am

I had 5 of these on the trot, 4 of which were warranty replacements. They are not up to the job and frankly if you pull them apart they're almost impossible to get back together with any confidence. I have a buffalo 40 l now, but even that required some remedial work due to loose spade connectors although it is much better than the jam makers and has probably done 50 all grain brews now.

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AdrianTrace
Piss Artist
Posts: 137
Joined: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:42 am
Location: Botley, Hampshire

Re: Disaster Brewday

Post by AdrianTrace » Sat Jun 18, 2016 6:45 pm

Yeah, having seen how they're made I think I was lucky to get 19 full boils out of it, plus various batches of hot water for cleaning.

I've converted mine to a standard Peco 2.4kw element now (viewtopic.php?f=6&t=76217). It has actually made it easier to use due to the power lead now being detachable, as well as more powerful so quicker to heat and better at holding a boil. It's still about 5 litres too small, though :D
Ready to go: Malt extract, grain, yeast and a freezer full of hops.
Fermenting: Nowt.
Conditioning: Nelson's Revenge.
Drinking: Stop Wining, Firsty Gold, DarkMun, Yankee, Porter, ApAht, Cider, Mead, Tripel, Elderflower beer, Gluten Free, beer, wine, port, gin,beer, wine, port, gin...

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