Search found 453 matches

by lord groan
Mon Jan 17, 2022 1:08 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: Steamy Brewery. What do you do about it?
Replies: 40
Views: 3931

Re: Steamy Brewery. What do you do about it?

I tried a hood briefly - too much condensation dripping in the brewshed. Tried other approaches then finally settled on old PC fans. I brew in a wooden shed, the cladding is shiplap so I positioned the boiler where i would use it, then levered off the next plank up from the top of the boiler. I cut ...
by lord groan
Mon Sep 20, 2021 3:30 pm
Forum: Grain Brewing
Topic: Dealing with Hops
Replies: 11
Views: 2794

Re: Dealing with Hops

I use a stainless kitchen sieve. Fairly fine mesh, after the boil I swirl it round in the wort and lift the hops out. 5 mins gets 99% of them, then I drain the boiler into the FV, while holding the sieve under the tap. Any remaining hops got caught there. The boiler outlet uses 15mm pipe so has only...
by lord groan
Mon Sep 20, 2021 2:16 pm
Forum: Grain Brewing
Topic: Would this work as a HLT?
Replies: 8
Views: 1695

Re: Would this work as a HLT?

A beerline cleaning bottle makes a very good hlt/boiler. Made from HDPE they have walls about 8-10mm thick. I used mine as a boiler for a lot of brews and it never softened in use, because of the thickness I guess. https://www.lawsdrinkssystems.co.uk/cellar-equipment-for-sale/cleaning/beer-cleaning-...
by lord groan
Sat Sep 21, 2019 5:49 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: free catering urns
Replies: 4
Views: 2100

Re: free catering urns

Hi JamesH and homebrewer, the big urn is still available.

I'd strongly prefer not to post/courier it because I think it'll get squished but if you could collect from Southampton....
Willing to consider other options too
interested?
by lord groan
Sun Sep 01, 2019 11:09 am
Forum: Cider Making
Topic: Pulping recommendation?
Replies: 9
Views: 5457

Re: Pulping recommendation?

I use a waste disposal - very effective but limited to running for about 45 mins before I have to switch off and let it cool for an hour or two. They're not designed for continuous running I guess. Excuse my daughters labelling! That might vary according to brand though, 45 mins was long enough to g...
by lord groan
Sun Sep 01, 2019 10:56 am
Forum: Cider Making
Topic: Advice Please
Replies: 8
Views: 5394

Re: Advice Please

I've used plain unpatterned net curtain for a couple of years, works very well but I've twice 'burst' the fabric by pumping the bottle jack too hard to try and get the last drops out - you wouldn't believe that a jet of apple pulp hitting your shin can hurt so much! So worth having some spare fabric...
by lord groan
Tue Jul 30, 2019 8:32 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: free catering urns
Replies: 4
Views: 2100

free catering urns

Please see my articles for sale ad. Free to a good home!
by lord groan
Sun Jan 13, 2019 12:40 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: Elements for 50l kettle - before I buy!
Replies: 16
Views: 7212

Re: Elements for 50l kettle - before I buy!

I had to buy a new kettle just before xmas, only needed an emergency one for short term use so went with this from argos https://www.argos.co.uk/product/9016710 £5.99, element rated 1850-2200w depending on supply voltage. Still the sort of element I used on my first boiler build - I instantly went b...
by lord groan
Sat Nov 24, 2018 2:28 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: Fermenting In A Catering Urn (water boiler)
Replies: 6
Views: 2309

Re: Fermenting In A Catering Urn (water boiler)

I had a similar problem a few years ago. Basically what you need is a box wth a safe heat source and a thermostat. I started by using an old cupboard big enough to hold the fermenter, then I put an old central heating thermostat in the cupboard and wired my old Boots brew belt to that, a lead from t...
by lord groan
Mon Oct 08, 2018 8:35 pm
Forum: Grain Brewing
Topic: Stuck mash
Replies: 45
Views: 10597

Re: Stuck mash

I wonder... looking at your false bottom, it is very slightly dished in shape and if I'm looking at the pics right your wort pick up tube collects the wort from under the dish (concave side) ..yes? If so I'd guess the weight of grain sitting on the false bottom is pressing down on the convex upper s...
by lord groan
Sun Sep 30, 2018 6:34 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: storing opened hops
Replies: 4
Views: 1696

storing opened hops

Pushing the definition of brewing equipment... but I've discovered that the heavy polythene bags Lidl Super Nutty or Super Berry Granola comes in make excellent resealable airtight bages for opened hops. You can write easily in biro on the outside of the bag too, just squish 'em flat, seal 'em up an...
by lord groan
Sat Sep 29, 2018 11:40 am
Forum: Grain Brewing
Topic: idea for mash tun
Replies: 3
Views: 1648

Re: idea for mash tun

I did a similar thing years back but only used it as a fermentation cupboard, I used a central heating stat to turn a brewbelt off and on. Not great at controlling exact temp, but did keep the fermenter at a steady temp so fermentation time dropped from 2+ weeks to 3-4 days, flavour was better too. ...
by lord groan
Sun Feb 18, 2018 11:54 am
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: PTFE
Replies: 6
Views: 1973

Re: PTFE

I hope so!
PTFE is what they use on non-stick frying pans, it must have been passed as safe, I've used it for plumbing joints in my homebrew kit for ages. It'll not be damaged in a 90 minute boil, When I strip the joints for cleaning after a brew the tape is unchanged.
hth
by lord groan
Sat Feb 17, 2018 9:32 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: Burco heater questions
Replies: 6
Views: 2445

Re: Burco heater questions

Hi, They do exist, but aren't easy to come by. There have been a few models, with the most recent that I've seen being double walled - painted steel outer with S/S liner. The most recent (1960's ish?) use a standard 3kw butterfly element, model no. F44L. I usually see the older galvanised liner ones...
by lord groan
Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:58 pm
Forum: Brewing Equipment
Topic: Bypassing fridge thermostat
Replies: 13
Views: 5050

Re: Bypassing fridge thermostat

I'll admit I started with considerable trepidation Wonky, but taking it one step at a time and not thinking about the whole job meant it went quite easily in the end.
It seems complicated but it really isn't
cheers