Jim's Beer Kit

Hi had a kettle element cut out right at the end of the boil but luckily there is a second one fitted. It must have cut out as it is pretty scaled up. Could not think the best way to do it without getting the socket wet,but came up with this idea. I cut a 40mm hole in the side of an ice cream tub an...

Thermapen. I got mine on ebay as a refurbished one but it looked brand new to me. works very well and is quick and accurate.

Here is the first run off from the boiler. There are like big cauliflower heaps in the boiler so all is looking well. I did put one protofloc tablet in and it has had a 30 min settle.

This is how my mash tun looked after sparging. The second run off was okay.

I have just used a new bag of crushed Crisp Maris Otter from WHS. It did seem more floury than the previous bag, but just doing the mash now and the second batch looks a lot muddier than normal and the run off was very slow even with the tap fully open. Will see what happens when I boil it shortly. ...

Thanks all for the advice.

I will go for the chinook for bittering with cascade and amarillo as I have those in the fridge.

Also planning to get carafa special iii. Unfortunately Worcester Hop Shop do not have it but Brew UK do and I need some other things. Will let you know how it turns out.

I have read about Carafa special III but also found that black malt is a substitute. Not as easy as i thought it might be.

All I wish to do a black IPA next but need some inspiration for the recipe. I have pale, crystal, brown and black malt. I also have Amarillo and cascade but willing to buy others if required. Any suggestions appreciated.

I have just finished a 25kg sack I have had for 18 months. If it has been kept well it will be fine. The was no difference in the beer.

You may have a bit of trouble with one bottle filling faster than the others. Good idea but it may become a bit like plate spinning.

Looks like you had a successful day.

Hi all,

I came across this website when I was going to make a calculator of my own. Very simple and effective.

http://www.charliekassel.com/crs/

As others have said I always add about 2/3rds then re-measure.

Thanks for that. Sounds a good idea so will give it a go. Many thanks.

I have an Igloo 48 mash tun, as have many others. Has anyone modified the lid as it is hollow? I tried to fill a lid using expanding foam on an older cooler but it was not successful. There is a small plug so could fill with polystyrene balls but it could be tedious. Any other tried and tested ideas...

Went a little over and got 24 litres . All tucked up for a couple of weeks in the fermenting fridge.